Perez, Melelashvili in finals, U.S. concludes action on day one at Druskininkai Cup

Seven Greco-Roman athletes competed on day one of the Druskininkai Cup in Druskininkai, Lithuania, on Saturday. Two athletes reached the finals in Robert Perez and Beka Melelashvili, while Jonathan Gurule will wrestle for bronze on Sunday.

The U.S. had two athletes compete at 60 kg in Max Black and Billy Sullivan. Black secured silver on Saturday, with wins over Sullivan and Maxim Sarmanov (Moldova). He had a close match in round two, dropping a 3-1 decision to Mykol Havrychkin (Ukraine). Sullivan earned a bronze medal in the tournament, holding a record of 2-2. In round one, Sullivan bested Sarmanov, 10-2. He faced a setback in rounds two and three, falling to Black, 8-0. Sullivan ended his tournament strong, defeating Mykol Havrychkin (Ukraine), 6-3.

Jonathan Gurule, competing at 63 kg, battled his way to the bronze medal match. Gurule's tournament highlight was a gritty 3-3 decision over Ukraine’s Bohdan Hryshyn (Ukraine) in the first round. His momentum was halted in round two, as he fell 13-4 to Mairbek Salimov (Poland).

Robert Perez III, competing at 67 kg, made a strong run to the finals. Perez opened with a first-period pin against Anton Nesterenko (Ukraine) and continued his success with a 4-3 decision over Mannila Nestoni (Finland). Perez is set to compete in the championship match on day two of the event.

In the 72 kg bracket, Justus Scott had a challenging tournament that ended after two early losses. Scott fell 8-0 to Oleh Khalilov (Ukraine) in round one and was pinned in just over a minute by Luka Malobabic (Croatia) in round two, ending his campaign early.

Beka Melelashvili, wrestling at 82 kg, advanced to the finals with an impressive 10-0 technical fall victory over Alexa Gustafsson (Sweden). Despite his strong performance, Melelashvili narrowly fell in round two in a 1-1 decision to Johans Alexander (Sweden).

Michael Altomer faced a tough draw at 87 kg. After falling 9-0 to Adam Gardziola (Poland) and 8-0 to Vladysl Diahilev (Ukraine), Altomer secured a fall against Niko Hynninen (Finland). However, his tournament ended with a close 5-3 decision loss to Islam Aliev (Poland), leaving him just short of the podium.

Action continues on Sunday, August 18, in Lithuania. The tournament is held at the LSC sports complex Druskininkai. Live stream details are available below, and results will be posted on TheMat.com.

Mat A: https://youtube.com/live/z1G8K827Ml8?feature=share

Mat B: https://youtube.com/live/baKCV7nabRA?feature=share

At Druskininkai, Lithuania, August 17-18, 2024

U.S. Greco-Roman Results:

60 kg: Billy Sullivan (Colorado Springs, Colo./Army WCAP), bronze

WIN Maxim Sarmanov (Moldova), 10-2 tech. fall

LOSS Olivi Skrzypczak (Poland), 1:21 fall

LOSS Max Black (United States), 8-0 tech. fall

WIN Mykol Havrychkin (Ukraine), 6-3 decision

60 kg: Max Black (Castle Rock, Colo./NMU-National Training Center), silver

WIN Maxim Sarmanov (Moldova), 10-2 tech. fall

LOSS Mykol Havrychkin (Ukraine), 3-1 decision

WIN Billy Sullivan (United States), 8-0 tech. fall

LOSS Olivi Skrzypczak (Poland), 10-0 tech. fall

63 kg: Jonathan Gurule (Peralta, N.M./NMU-National Training Center), in bronze medal match

WIN Bohdan Hryshyn (Ukraine), 3-3 decision

LOSS Mairbek Salimov (Poland), 13-4 tech. fall

67 kg: Robert Perez III (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids WC), in finals

WIN Anton Nesterenko (Ukraine), 1:48 fall

WIN Mannila Nestoni (Finland), 4-3 decision

72 kg: Justus Scott (Colorado Springs, Colo./Army WCAP), eliminated

LOSS Oleh Khalilov (Ukraine), 8-0 tech. fall

LOSS Luka Malobabic (Croatia), 1:11 fall

82 kg: Beka Melelashvili (Philadelphia, Pa./New York AC), in finals

WIN Alexa Gustafsson (Sweden), 10-0 tech. fall

LOSS Johans Alexander (Sweden), 1-1 decision

87 kg: Michael Altomer (Stuyvesant, N.Y./ Curby 3 Style WC), eliminated

LOSS Adam Gardziola (Poland), 9-0 tech. fall

LOSS Vladysl Diahilev (Ukraine), 8-0 tech. fall

WIN Niko Hynninen (Finland), fall

LOSS Islam Aliev (Poland), 5-3 decision

Schedule of Events

*all time listed local to Druskininkai, Lithuania, seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time

Saturday, August 17

10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. -  Preliminary rounds

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - Preliminary rounds

Sunday, August 18

10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Consolation rounds and finals