Azevedo, Bunch win bronze medals in Medved International in Belarus
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
10/19/2007

Two U.S. freestyle wrestlers won bronze medals on the first day of competition at the Alexander Medved International in Minsk, Belarus, Oct. 19.

Taking third in their weight classes were Matt Azevedo (Pismo Beach, Calif./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Shawn Bunch (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Bunch, who is a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete, opened the tournament with a victory over W. Magonedov of Kazakhstan, 6-0, 2-0. He was beaten in the second round by eventual champion Magomedov Magoedchamil of Belarus, 1-4, 1-4.

He rebounded with two victories in the wrestleback rounds to claim his bronze medal. His first win was over M Wachdah of Kazakhstan, 1-0, 2-0. In the bronze medal bout, Bunch needed three periods to defeat veteran Alexander Kontoev of Belarus, 1-0, 0-3, 3-0.

ALEXANDER MEDVED INTERNATIONAL
at Minsk, Belarus, October 19-21

Freestyle medalists
60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold - Magomedov Magoedchamil (Belarus)
Silver – Alexander Karnitski (Belarus)
Bronze – Shawn Bunch (USA)
Bronze – (Kazakhstan)

U.S. Performances
60 kg/132 lbs.
Zach Roberson, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), dnp
LOSS Alexander Kontoev (Belarus), 1-3, 2-0, 0-3

60 kg/132 lbs.
Shawn Bunch. Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 3rd
WIN W. Magonedov (Kazakhstan), 6-0, 2-0
LOSS Magomedov Magoedchamil (Belarus), 1-4, 1-4
WIN M Wachdah (Kazakhstan), 1-0, 2-0
WIN Alexander Kontoev (Belarus), 1-0, 0-3, 3-0


Richard D. Salyer