If Daniel Miller (98 kg, Marines) is interested in building up some momentum heading into the new year, he sure gave his efforts a sizable boost. The action took place earlier today at the 2017 Paris International Tournament in Paris, France.
Miller was opportunistic and poised defeating occasional heavyweight Adam Mertse (HUN) 5-0 in his first bout of the day and closed even stronger against another Hungarian to earn his second international Senior Greco-Roman medal. His only hiccup was a semifinal loss to 2014 Junior World bronze medalist and Norwegian stud Felix Baldauf via tech fall. The key for Miller was bouncing back for the medal round and he did so in a big way.
The 24-year old Miller scored a takedown and immediate turn to take a 4-0 lead over 2015 Cadet World silver medalist Robert Ersek. Hungary challenged the sequence and lost, resulting in another point for Miller. At 5-0, Miller was not only in control, but growing stronger. He got behind for another two shortly thereafter and converted the opportunity into another gutwrench, which he used for the match-ending pair of points. A 9-0 bronze medal performance now puts Miller back into the consciousness following a disappointing Nationals appearance in December.
Two other US Greco Roman competitors also participated at the 2017 Paris International Tournament, but neither experienced much success. Miller’s Marine teammate JayShon Wilson (71 kg) lost to eventual silver medalist Demeu Zhadrayev (KAZ) via 9-1 technical fall in first bout. In the proceeding repecharge, Wilson fell to Evrik Nikoghosyan (FRA) 9-0 to end his day. 2016 US National Champion Patrick Smith (Minnesota Storm) didn’t have the kind of tournament he was hoping for, as he dropped his first and only match to 2014 World Military Championships bronze medalist Rafael Aleksanyan (ARM) via tech 9-0.
More Americans are in the running for day 2 of the 2017 Paris International Tournament as Colton Rasche, Raymond Bunker, Michael Brant, and Eric Fader are all set to compete.
2017 Paris International Tournament – Day 1 US Results and Day 2 Draws
Results
71 kg:
Patrick Smith (Minnesota Storm)
LOSS Rafael Aleksanyan (ARM) 9-0, TF
JayShon Wilson (Marines)
LOSS Demeu Zhadrayev (KAZ) 9-1, TF
LOSS Evrik Nikoghosyan (FRA) 9-0, TF
98 kg:
Daniel Miller (Marines)
WON Adam Mertse (HUN) 5-0
LOSS Felix Baldauf (NOR) 9-0, TF
WON Robert Ersek (HUN) 9-0, TF
Day 2 Draws
59 kg:
Colton Rasche (Marines) vs Tigran Galustyan (FRA)
66 kg:
Raymond Bunker (Marines) vs Hrachia Malhasian (FRA)
Joshua Russo (Marines) vs Roman Pacurowski (POL)
80 kg:
Michael Brant (Marines) vs Alex Kessidis (SWE, world no. 17)
130 kg:
Eric Fader (Marines) vs Oscar Marvik (NOR)
