Metcalf earns silver medal at Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix

KRASNOYARSK, Russia -- Brent Metcalf (Iowa City, Iowa/NYAC/Hawkeye WC) won a silver medal at 65 kilos/143 pounds on Saturday at the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix, considered one of the toughest tournaments in the world each year.

Metcalf, a three-time U.S. World Team member, powered through the brackets with four straight wins to qualify for the championship finals, where he was edged by 2013 European bronze medalist Ilyas Bekbulatov of Russia, 6-8.

It was Metcalf's second career Ivan Yarygin silver medal, to go with his second-place finish in 2013, when he also was defeated by Bekbulatov in the gold-medal finals.

Metcalf opened with a 3-1 win over Ghadjimurad Abakarov of Russia, then stopped Viktor Stepanov of Russia by technical fall, 10-0. In the quarterfinals, he stopped eventual bronze medalist Zaurbek Sidakov of Russia, 9-1. His semifinal victory was an impressive 13-2 technical fall over 2014 Yarygin silver medalist Alibetgadzi Emeev of Russia, 13-2.

"Brent wrestled a great tournament all the way through finishing with the silver medal. He was very effective offensively and continues to improve where he needs. Of course, he wants the gold however, he is very close to being where he wants to be," said Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick. Read more