Military World Games!

Phil Johnson OTC resident and member of the OTC Bible Study Places 5th at World Military Championships! The first day of competition in the 4th Military World Games in Hyderabad, India saw three U.S. competitors finish without a medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. Phillip Johnston of the U.S. Army lost in a bronze medal match at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. to Ezerskis Mindaugas of Lithuania to finish fifth in his division.Johnston won his opening match against Roman Meduna of Slovakia 1-1, 0-4 and 1-1. Johnston fought strong from the bottom position to win the first period. Johnston fell behind 0-2 in the second period before Meduna countered and took the period 4-0. In the third period, Johnston won the toss, and proved too strong from the bottom position to win the period and the match.In the following round, Johnston lost to Georgios Koutsioumpas of Greece, 0-2 and 1-1. In the first period, Koutsioumpas won the toss and lifted Johnston before throwing him for two points. Koutsioumpas also won the toss in the second period, and prevailed to win the period and the match as neither wrestler could turn the other for points. Johnston qualified for the wrestleback rounds when Koutsioumpas defeated Ezerskis Mindaugas of Lithuania in the next round. In his first repechage bout, Johnston took care of Hun Shin Dong of Korea with a high amplitude throw to end the match in the second period en route to a 2-1, 5-0 win setting up his bronze medal match. Wrestling against Ezerskis Mindaugas of Lithuania for the bronze, Johnston lost the coin toss in each period, and lost both periods 0-3 and 0-3. In the first period, Johnston was turned for the winning margin. In the second period, Mindaugas scored on a gut wrench to claim the bronze.Former World Champion Ozal Memet of Turkey won the gold medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. with his victory over Koutsioumpas.