The 2017 Grand Prix Zagreb Open this past March was a solid event for the US Greco-Roman Seniors who were in attendance. Alex Sancho (66 kg, NYAC/OTS) led the way with his first overseas gold and four other wrestlers — RaVaughn Perkins (71 kg, NYAC), Jesse Porter (75 kg, NYAC/OTS), Kamal Bey (80 kg, Sunkist, world no. 18), and Toby Erickson (130 kg, Army/WCAP) — wound up taking third. Sancho’s performance was memorable for more than just the tournament victory. In his semifinal match, Sancho reached back and instinctively pulled Mate Nemes (SRB) right over the top for four dramatic points that would later serve as the deciding criteria in his 4-4 win.
Bey did not win the tournament, falling to 2016 Olympian Bozo Starcevik (CRO) in the semifinals, although, he did have some moments in that bout. Nevertheless, Bey certainly regrouped going for bronze. Facing off against the experienced Austrian Michael Wagner, Bey was down by a point when he crashed in for a huge bodylock that put Wagner on his back. Bey then covered and held Wagner down for the fall.
The video above contains clips of Sancho and Bey in action, but they aren’t alone. Other US athletes featured in the video include G’Angelo Hancock (98 kg, Sunkist, world no. 16) and Ildar Hafizov (59 kg, Army/WCAP). Living MMA, the company who produced the video, is based out of Slovenia and focuses on producing material related to martial arts, wrestling, and jiu jitsu.
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