Three United States Greco-Roman athletes suited up for Saturday’s “Olympic Preparation Tournament” in Tata, Hungary and, unfortunately, all three missed the medal stand.
At 60 kilograms, 2020 U23 National Champion Dylan Gregerson (UVRTC) was turned back by German Etienne Kinsinger 7-5. Kinsinger might be a familiar name to US fans. In ’18, he defeated Dalton Roberts (Army/WCAP, 5PM #6) in the opening round of the World Championships; the next year, Kinsinger faced Ildar Hafizov (Army/WCAP, 5PM #1), with Hafizov proving victorious.
Two-time US National runner-up Calvin Germinaro (Minnesota Storm) had a challenging draw in the form of a quarterfinal meetup with ’17 World silver Mateusz Bernatek (POL). The bout went into the second period but it was all Bernatek, who triumphed 10-1. Bernatek was then defeated by ’19 World bronze Mate Nemes (SRB), which eliminated Germinaro from a possible repechage appearance.
The story did not change much for Joe Rau (87 kg, TMWC/IRTC, world #7, 5PM #1). The two-time World Teamer was decisioned by eventual champ Istvan Takacs (HUN) 5-1 in the round-of-16; but given Takacs’ run to the final, Rau was sent into the repechage against Oskar Johansson (SWE) and fell 3-1.
The “Olympic Preparation Tournament” was not broadcast live via stream (hence the lack of details).
Originally, six US athletes were on the docket for Saturday’s tournament but a succession of calamitous and confusing travel issues earlier this week wound up reducing the competition roster. ’19 Junior World bronze Alston Nutter (Sunkist/NTS), ’20 National champ Benji Peak (Sunkist/NTS, 5PM #11), and Diante Cooper (97 kg, Air Force/WCAP) were all previously listed for the event, with Nutter, Peak, and Germinaro specifically experiencing issues when attempting to board for Europe. As is stands, a healthy delegation of Americans will still attend the massive training camp that begins this Monday in Tata.
Olympic Preparation Tournament
February 13 — Tata, Hungary
TEAM USA RESULTS
60 kg — Dylan Gregerson (UVRTC)
LOSS Etienne Kinsinger (GER) 7-5
67 kg — Calvin Germinaro (Minnesota Storm)
LOSS Mateusz Bernatek (POL) 10-1, TF
87 kg — Joe Rau (TMWC/IRTC)
LOSS Istvan Takacs (HUN) 5-1
LOSS Oskar Johansson (SWE) 3-1
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