Wrestlers from more than a dozen nations met yesterday in Paris to kick off the second of FILA’s annual Golden Grand Prix series. The two-day tournament featured several Olympic and world medalists competing across three styles and 14 weights.

In men’s freestyle it was the Mongolians who came away with the most to cheer about, claiming back-to-back champions at 57 and 65 kg -- both wrestlers winning their titles with high-flying throws and non-stop action.

France’s Tatiana DEBIEN, who used two four-point moves to put away Katherine FULP-ALLEN in the finals at 53 kg, highlighted that action in women’s freestyle. Though it was a long day of wrestling for many fans, the French crowd came alive during Debien’s bout rewarding her winning efforts with loud applause and a raucous ovation.

In Greco-Roman is was the Georgians who once proved dominant on the first day of wrestling, action placing three in the finals and winning all three crowns. Meanwhile the French team, which had planned to be anchored by 2008 Olympic champion Steeve Guenot, fell on hard times early in the competition, but were surprised and please by the championship run of Samba DIONG at 85 kg.

Action picks up tomorrow at 11am local time with the following weights:

FS: 61, 74 and 86 kg

FW:  55, 60, 63, and 75 kg

GR: 59, 75 and 98 kg

Weight-by-Weight Recap and Results:

57kg

Samat NADYRBEK UULU (KGZ ) used countered two throws to dominate his semifinal opponent Andrew Hochstrasser (USA) 12-1 to make the finals, while Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR, (MGL) found 12 points to earn a semifinal technical fall against Chakir ANSARi (FRA).

The duo’s finals proved to be the most entertaining of the night, with NADYRBEK UULU and DAMDINBAZAR exchanging large batches of scoring. Damdinbazar eventually earned the win by hitting a four-point front headlock at the edge of the match.

Gold: DAMDINBAZAR Tsogtbaatar (MGL) df. NADYRBEK UULU Samat (KGZ) by PP,          6-4

Bronze: HOCHSTRASSER Andrew (USA) df. HAZEWINKEL Samuel (USA), by PP, 10-2

Bronze: FERAIM Mehmed (BUL) df. ANSARI Chakir (FRA) by ST, 10-0

Semifinal: NADYRBEK UULU Samat (KGZ) df. HOCHSTRASSER Andrew (USA)        by SP, 13-1

Semifinal: DAMDINBAZAR Tsogtbaatar (MGL) df. ANSARI Chakir (FRA) by VT, 12-0

65kg

Down 6-0 to Reece Humphrey (USA) in the first round of action on Saturday World No. 4 Mandraknaran GANZORIG (MGL) piled on seven straight points to earn a 7-6 victory and eventually a trip to the finals.

Ganzorig met Jason CHAMBERLAIN (USA) in the finals, opening up with an impressive four-point head and arm throw. Though the American would recover and eventually earn a takedown of his won, he was unable to make up the ground and fell, 4-2 to Ganzorig.

Gold: GANZORIG Mandakhnaran (MGL) df. CHAMBERLAIN Jason (USA) by PP, 4-2

Bronze: MAMATOV Ulukman (KGZ) df. KATO Naohiro (JPN) by PP, 9-3

Bronze: HUMPHREY Reece (USA) df. SZEJA Arkadiusz (POL) by PP, 3-1

Semifinal: CHAMBERLAIN Jason (USA) df. MAMATOV Ulukman (KGZ) by PP, 6-2

Semifinal: GANZORIG Mandakhnaran (MGL) df. SZEJA Arkadiusz (POL) by ST, 10-0

70kg

Zaur EFENDIEV (SRB) used three straight wins in the round-robin to secure his first Grand Prix title. The 70 kg weight class also included wrestlers from MGL, UKR and FRA.

Nordique: CLAVIER Christophe (FRA) df. BUYANJAR Batzorig (MGL) by PP, 11-6

Nordique: EFENDIEV Zaur (SRB) df. ROSTYSLAV Pervachuk (UKR) by VT, 4-0

Nordique: ROSTYSLAV Pervachuk (UKR)            df. BUYANJAR Batzorig (MGL) by PP, 10-4

Nordique: EFENDIEV Zaur (SRB) df. CLAVIER Christophe (FRA) by PP, 9-6

Nordique: CLAVIER Christophe (FRA)      df. ROSTYSLAV Pervachuk (UKR) by SP, 12-2

Nordique: EFENDIEV Zaur (SRB) df. BUYANJAR Batzorig (MGL) by VB, 0-0

97kg

Lyuben ILEV (BUL) moved past No. 17 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL) in the first round, and capitalized on a 5-0 decision in the semifinals against Yozaf JALOVIAR (SVK) to make his first finals of the Paris Grand Prix. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) emerged from the other side of the bracket where he’d used two slide-bys to get past Wynn MICHALAK (USA) 4-2 in the semifinals.

In the finals it was Metreveli who would use two push outs to secure a hard fought 2-1 victory.

Gold: METREVELI Zviad (GEO) df. ILEV Lyuben (BUL) by PP, 2-1

Bronze: MICHALAK Wynn (USA) df. LAGODSKIS Imants (LAT) by PP, 9-3

Bronze: DORJKHAND Khuderbulga (MGL)          df. JALOVIAR Yozaf (SVK) by PP, 9-3

Semifinal: METREVELI Zviad (GEO) df. MICHALAK Wynn (USA) by PP, 4-2

Semifinal: ILEV Lyuben (BUL) df. JALOVIAR Yozaf (SVK) by PO, 5-0

125kg

No. 13 Tyrone Fortune (USA) and Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (GEO) had one match each before their finals appearance. Fortune, who was in good form following his win at the Dave Schultz Memorial international two weeks prior, couldn’t find his pace in the finals and fell behind the Georgian 4-0 after poorly defending a single on the edge of the mat. Meshvildishvili would go on to scrap for a 7-2 victory.

Gold: MESHVILDISHVILI Giorgi (GEO) df. FORTUNE Tyrell (USA) by PP, 7-2

Bronze: BRADLEY Dominique (USA) df. GAGLOEV Soslan (SVK) by PP, 3-2

Semifinal: FORTUNE Tyrell (USA) df. GAGLOEV Soslan (SVK) by PP, 8-3

Semifinal: MESHVILDISHVILI Giorgi (GEO) df. CHADZIJ MURAD Istapayev (BEL) by ST, 10-0

Women’s Freestyle

48 kg

Mariya STADNYK (AZE) and No. 3 Jessica MACDONALD (CAN) plowed through their respective brackets to make the finals at 48 kg. Stadnyk beat 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa CHUN (USA) 6-2 in the fist round, setting the pace for a day that saw her put up several points, while 2012 World Champion MacDonald used solid offense to work herself through a challenging bracket.

In the finals Stadnyk used an early pushout and subsequent takedown to open up a 3-0 lead on MacDonald. The pair scrambled through several more positions and exchanged takedowns, but time ran out on MacDonald who dropped the match by a point, 5-4.

Gold: STADNYK Mariya (AZE) df. MACDONALD Jessica (CAN)  by PP, 5-4

Bronze: PETERSON Fredrika (SWE) df. GOLSTON Erin (USA) by PP, 8-6

Bronze: CHUN Clarissa (USA) df. SABATIE Julie (FRA) by SP, 15-5

Semifinal: MACDONALD Jessica (CAN) df. GOLSTON Erin (USA) by ST, 10-0

Semifinal: STADNYK Mariya (AZE) df. SABATIE Julie (FRA) by ST, 10-0

53 kg

Katherine FULP-ALLEN (USA) and 2013 Henri Deglane Challenge winner Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) took advantage of their positions within the eight woman brackets to cruise to the finals.

In the finals it was all Debien who hit a fireman’s carry for four points and another high-level finish to put on a dominant technical fall performance.  The French wrestler was cheered loudly by the fans who were left in a tizzy after her repeated high-action attacks.

Gold: DEBIEN Tatiana (FRA) df. FULP-ALLEN Khaterine (USA) by ST, 10-0

Bronze: BASSET Aurlie (FRA) df. MEDINA Jessica (USA)           by PP, 4-2

Bronze: KARALINA Tjakpo (LAT) df. TRISTO Camila (BRA) by ST, 10-0

Semifinal: DEBIEN Tatiana (FRA) df. MEDINA Jessica (USA) by PP, 4-3

Semifinal: FULP-ALLEN Khaterine (USA) df. TRISTO Camila (BRA) by VT, 7-0

58 kg

Kelsey Rene CAMPBELL (USA) used a first-round criteria victory to propel herself into Saturday night’s finals, where she face No. 3 Yuliya RATKEVICH (AZE). Ratevich, a 2009 World Champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist earned an opening takedown off of Campbell shot and never looked back. The veteran found several attacks and controlled the action on way to her way to her first GGP title.

Gold: RATKEVICH Yuliya (AZE) df. CAMBELL Kelsey Rene (USA) by PP, 4-1

Bronze: SILVA Joice (BRA) df. RAINERO Carola (ITA) by VT, 8-0

Bronze: TYNYBEKOVA Aisuluu (KGZ) df. KARIMA Sanchez (ESP) by VT, 2-0

Semifinal: CAMBELL Kelsey Rene (USA)  df. RAINERO Carola (ITA) by ST, 10-0

Semifinal: RATKEVICH Yuliya (AZE) df. KARIMA Sanchez (ESP) by SP, 14-3

69 kg

In the best showing of late for an Israeli female wrestler, Ilana KRATYSH (ISR) met with No. 6 Svetlana SAENKO (MDA) in the finals at 69 kg. but fell short of her goal to win a title for Israel. The Macedonian wrestler found her offense early and used a late leg turk to find exposure points in the middle of the second period. Saenko, who wrestled well all day, looked on pace for a big 2014 campaign.

Gold: SAENKO Svetlana (MDA) df. KRATYSH Ilana (ISR) by PO, 6-0

Bronze: SALATA Jiulia (USA) df. KUENZ Martina (AUT) by SP, 12-2

Semifinal: KRATYSH Ilana (ISR) df. SALATA Jiulia (USA) by VT, 6-2

Semifinal: SAENKO Svetlana (MDA) df. CANEVA Dama (ITA) by VT, 7-0

Greco-Roman

66 kg

Revaz LASHKHI (GEO) used a later four-point throw to secure a hard-fought finals win over Grzegorz WANKE (POL). Lashkhi, a 2012 world silver medalist and the (POL) was dominant over much of the day and found an arm spin to help him earn pushout points and a takedown.

Gold: LASHKHI Revaz (GEO) df. WANKE Grzegorz (POL) by PO, 5-0

Bronze: BELMADANI Tarik (FRA) df. TAKI Koma (JPN) by ST, 10-0

Bronze: KARECINSKI Dawid (POL) df. SEKER Fuat (FRA) by PO        , 4-0

Semifinal: LASHKHI Revaz (GEO) df. TAKI Koma (JPN)            by SP, 10-1

Semifinal: WANKE Grzegorz (POL) df. KARECINSKI Dawid (POL), by EX, 1-3

71 kg

Unfortunately for the home crowd, 2008 Olympic champion and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Steeve Guenot (FRA) dropped out of the competition due to injury.  His departure left Franck HASSLI (MCO) in the driver’s seat, going 3-0 in round robin action.

Nordique: HASSLI Franck (MCO)df. ZHADRAYEV Demeu (KAZ)         by PO, 3-0

Nordique: OZAY Fatih (FRA) df. GUENOT Steeve (FRA) by VB, 0-0

Nordique: GUENOT Steeve (FRA) df. ZHADRAYEV Demeu (KAZ) by PP, 7-3

Nordique: HASSLI Franck (MCO) df. OZAY Fatih (FRA) by PP, 5-2

Nordique: HASSLI Franck (MCO) df. GUENOT Steeve (FRA) by VB, 0-0

Nordique: ZHADRAYEV Demeu (KAZ) df. OZAY Fatih (FRA) by ST, 10-0

80 kg

Giorgi TSIREKIDZE (GEO) used one four point maneuver and two takedowns to move past Tadeusz MICHALIK (POL) in the finals at 80 kg. The Georgian’s throw had the amplitude to last season have been called a five point throw, leaving the audience to wave their open palms in appreaciation.

Gold: TSIREKIDZE Giorgi (GEO) df. MICHALIK Tadeusz (POL) by SP, 9-1

Bronze: WAGNER Michael (AUT) df. HASSLI Alain (FRA) by PP, 8-3

Bronze: DUKIC Dragutin (SRB) df. JULIUS Matuzevicius (LTU) by ST, 11-0

Semifinal: MICHALIK Tadeusz (POL) df. HASSLI Alain (FRA) by PO, 5-0

Semifinal: TSIREKIDZE Giorgi (GEO) df. JULIUS Matuzevicius (LTU) by PO, 7-0

85 kg

Samba DIONG (FRA) found an early throw for four points to get past Adomaitis LAIMUTIS (LTU) in the finals at 85 kg. The French wrestler walked off the mat a 6-3 victor, much to the chagrin of the French fans that had endured the long day of wrestling and were pleased with Diong’s acrobatic efforts.

Gold: DIONG Samba (FRA) df. LAIMUTIS Adomaitis (LTU) by PP, 6-3

Bronze: HRUSTANOVIC Amer (AUT) df. SCIBILIA Vincenzo (ITA) by ST, 8-0

Bronze: BALAUR Igor (FRA) df. UDOVIDCHENKO Ilyar (RUS) by PP, 5-2

Semifinal: LAIMUTIS Adomaitis (LTU) df. HRUSTANOVIC Amer (AUT) by PP, 7-1

Semifinal: DIONG Samba (FRA) df. BALAUR Igor (FRA) by PP, 2-1

130 kg

Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) used a 9-0 semifinal win over local favorite Yannick SZCZEPANIAK to earn his place in the finals where he met massive Lithuanian Mizgaitis MINDAUGAS. Despite some bullying on the edge, KAJAIA stepped away with the 2-0 victory.

Gold: KAJAIA Iakobi (GEO) df. MINDAUGAS Mizgaitis (LTU) by EX, 2-0

Bronze: SZCZEPANIAK Yannick (FRA) df. SEGAWA Shota (JPN)          by ST, 10-0

Semifinal: KAJAIA Iakobi (GEO) df. SZCZEPANIAK Yannick (FRA) by ST, 9-0

Semifinal: MINDAUGAS Mizgaitis (LTU) df. TSUDA Hirotake (JPN) by VT, 8-1