BAKU, Azerbaijan – Four wrestlers took part in the Golden Grand Prix, June 27-29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, but failed to medal for the U.S.

Greco-Roman wrestler Joe Betterman at 60 kg/132 lbs., and woman freestyler Jessica Medina at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. each claimed one victory at the event.

Betterman scored a first round decision over Javid Abdullaev of Azerbaijan, 1-6, 2-0, 1-1. He finished the event in 9th place. Medina took her round robin match against Nadiya Gradnyuk of Azerbaijan, 6-0, 2-0. Medina came in fifth in her weight class.

Also competing for the U.S. were Michael Martinez, who was 11th at 55 kg/121 lbs. in men’s freestyle, and Cheney Haight, who came in 10th at 74 kg/163 lbs.

Golden Grand Prix
Baku, Azerbaijan
June 27-29, 2008

U.S. Performances

Men’s freestyle

55 kg/121 lbs. – Michael Martinez, Pagosa Springs, Colo. (Cowboy WC), 11th
LOSS Namik Sevdimov (Azerbaijan), 1-3, 0-3
LOSS Radoslav Velikov (Bulgaria), 0-3, 0-1

Greco-Roman

60 kg/132 lbs. – Joe Betterman, Chicago, Ill. (New York AC), 9th
WIN Javid Abdullaev (Azerbaijan), 1-6, 2-0, 1-1
LOSS Sakit Jalilov (Azerbaijan), 0-7, 1-3

74 kg/163 lbs. – Cheney Haight, Orem, Utah (New York AC), 10th
LOSS Rafiq Huseynov (Azerbaijan), 1-1, 1-7

Women’s freestyle

51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (New York AC), 5th
LOSS Anna Trusova (Russia), 0-5, 0-3
LOSS Dilek Atakol (Turkey), 0-3, 0-5
WIN Nadiya Gradnyuk (Azerbaijan), 6-0, 2-0
LOSS Oleksandra Kohut (Ukraine), 0-7, 0-4