News Page
By John Huxley
August 14, 2003
Thwack! After several seconds of innocuous tugging on each other's shirts, Phillipa Katonivualiku suddenly bends, twists sideways, pulls hard and brings her coach, a 97-kilogram Olympic grappler called Igor, crashing down over her hips and on to the mat.
"Spin! Spin! Spin!" he says as he lands, urging her to complete the move by re-positioning herself on top of him. "Right, do it again."
They stand. Tug, twist, crash, again. And again. And again, even though Katonivualiku has already spent more than an hour stretching, skipping, running with big men on her back and walking the length of the Hakoah Club gym in Bondi on her hands.
Every day, she trains. And, to fund her training, every day she works at two jobs: behind the counter at a Bondi pizza house and serving meals in the boardroom of a CBD accountancy firm. "I've got to do it. It's the only way I'm going to get there."
Fijian-born Katonivualiku, who became an Australian citizen this month, is determined to represent her new country at freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where the discipline is being featured at the Games for the first time.
"It's always been my dream to go to the Olympics. I didn't care what sport," she said.
Several years ago, after coming close to representing Fiji at swimming and, later, volleyball, she quit sport and spent "a long time basically just sitting around on my arse - or conserving my energy, as I now like to put it".
But when a relationship ended, Katonivualiku, 33, took up jujitsu. Eighteen months later she was world champion. At the start of this year, she started wrestling to improve her strength for jujitsu.
That's when Ukrainian-born coach Igor Praporshchikov, who wrestled for Australia at the Sydney Games, convinced her she had Olympic potential. "I said, yeah, I'm there, 100 per cent." She has since become national champion in the 72-kilogram, top-weight, division.
"She's strong, agile and most important has the mindset, the will to win," said John Saul, the president of the Australian Wrestling Union (AWU).
There are a couple of snags, though.
First, cash. Katonivualiku is struggling to raise the cash to compete in next month's world championships in New York, an Olympic qualifying event.
Her relatives are baking cakes to raise funds. "I admit it, I'm desperate for sponsorship."
The second snag is other women. Or, rather, the lack of them. Several women have been encouraged by the Australian Wrestling Union to switch from other self-defence sports. But none are in Katonivualiku's weight division.
"It means, yes, I train with the boys. It's no bother. And, anyway, I had to do it in jujitsu. They're no problem."
Though the training looks painful, she says that provided the technique is correct, injuries are rare. So why does she wear thick knee-pads? She laughs. "Because the mats burn. I want to go on looking good in a dress."
---------------------------------------------------
2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling team preview – women’s freestyle
9/8/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Japan is the team to beat every year, but many other nations believe that they can come out on top in the team race this year. Since women’s wrestling was named as an Olympic sport two years ago, many nations have been beefing up their women’s programs, including the United States. The result has been a tremendous jump in the quality and intensity of the wrestling, but the question is just how much the gap has been closed between Japan and the rest of the field.
Going back to 1987, when the first Women’s World Championships were recognized, Japan has captured 10 of 15 team titles. In 2002, in Halkida, Greece, Japan retained its team title, lost the year before to China. What is even more impressive is that if you look at the four weight classes that will be contested at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg), Japan won three gold medals in Halkida.
Certainly, the most decorated of the current Japanese stars is four-time World champion Kyoko Hamaguchi, who competes at 72 kg. Her four World titles is an impressive feat, and she is capable of winning every time she wrestles. Joining Hamaguchi as 2002 World champions were Saori Yoshida at 55 kg and Kaori Icho at 63 kg. All three are reportedly competing in New York. Also expected in the field is Seiko Yamamoto, who won three World titles from 1999-2001. Yamamoto is usually at 55 kg, but will reportedly jump to 59 kg for the Worlds this year. Add is talented Makiko Sakamoto at 48 kg, Chiharu Icho at 51 kg and Norie Sato at 67 kg, and Japan has a powerful lineup again. Word is that the Japanese coaches expect a dominant performance in New York, something that perhaps only Japan can do in this time of change within women’s wrestling.
JAPAN
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Makiko Sakamoto or Miu Yamamoto
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Hitomi Sakamoto or Chiharu Icho
55 kg/121 lbs. – Saori Yoshida
59 kg/130 lbs. – Rena Iwama or Seiko Yamamoto
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaori Icho or Ayako Shoda
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Norie Sato or Eri Sakamoto
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Kyoko Hamaguchi
Placing a surprising second last year at the World Championships was Sweden, which had silver medalists in Sara Eriksson at 63 kg and Lotta Andersson at 59 kg and bronze medalists in Ida Hellstrom at 48 kg and Ida-Therese Karlsson at 55 kg. Basically, these athletes carried the entire team with tremendous individual performances. Eriksson has won a number of World gold medals in her career, and is wrestling at the highest weight she has ever contested. Hellstrom has been in the medal rounds in the past, and has seemed to compete well at the lowest division. The performances by Andersson and Karlsson were a bit surprising, but the Swedish lineup was wrestling well in Greece last year.
Sweden will need a similar performance this year from each of its stars, because for some reason the team is only entering four wrestlers, rather than the full set of seven athletes. Andersson is not on the roster, replaced by Helena Allandi at 59 kg. For Sweden to be a factor this time, they will need everybody to win their pools and battle for medals. That will be difficult feat two years in a row, but then again, the quality of the Swedish program has always been solid.
SWEDEN
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Ida Hellstrom
55 kg/121 lbs. - Ida-Therese Karlsson
59 kg/130 lbs. - Helena Allandi
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara Eriksson
Russia, which is dominant in men’s wrestling, has also developed a strong women’s team. Twice, Russia has won the World Team title in women’s wrestling, and last year, the team was third, just one point behind Sweden. Just like the men’s team, Russia sent in a number of athlete names on its roster, with the chosen performers not identified. In fact, the Russian information sent to the organizers did not even list weight classes, making the true identity of the team quite a mystery.
Last year, Alena Cartashova won the world title at 59 kg. As this is not an Olympic weight class, it is possible that Cartashova might jump up to 63 kg. Veteran Inga Karamtchakova was a World silver medalist last year at 48 kg, and she also appears on the tentative Russian lineup. Natalia Golts won the bronze medal last year at 51 kg, but she has also been wrestling at an Olympic weight class, 55 kg in recent competitions. Again, who is wrestling where will be something we all learn at weigh-ins.
Russia has a number of other talented athletes in its system, including past World medalist Anna Shamova at 67 kg. Natalia Karamchakova, who wrestles at 51 kg, Lubov Volosova at 63 kg and Svetlana Martyenko at 72 kg are all capable of medal performances. On a good year, Russia can capture the title, and during other years, the team is among the top few squads. With spots in the Olympics at stake in the four Olympic divisions, expect the Russians to be strong and prepared.
RUSSIA
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Lorisa Oorjak, Liliya Kaskarova, Inga Karamchakova or Natalia Ilina
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Natalia Karamchakova
55 kg/121 lbs. –Natalia Golts or Svetlana Gratcheva
59 kg/130 lbs. – Alena Kartacheva
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Anna Polovneva or Lubov Volosova
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Anna Shamova
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Svetlana Martynenko, Anastasia Dezhneva or Guzel Manyurova
What can be expected of the host United States? If you look at last year’s 11th place finish, you might be discouraged. If you realize that in 1999, the United States was the World Team champions, you can get excited. Ever since women’s wrestling came on the scene internationally, the USA has been competitive and has developed World medalists. This year should be no exception. In fact, U.S. coaches are looking for the team to be “exceptional,” right in the thick of the team race. The team is experienced, talented, and motivated to enjoy its home field advantage.
The 11th place in Halkida was caused by a slow start and some tremendously difficult draws. Two Americans emerged with medals, silver-medalist Tina George at 55 kg and bronze-medalist Kristie Marano at 67 kg. Both are on the American team in New York. Marano is six for six in winning World medals, with one gold, four silvers and a bronze to her credit. She is a fierce competitor who seems to win when it counts. George, who had her best career performance, has added consistency to her vast abilities and strength.
Two other Americans have won past World medals, Patricia Miranda at 48 kg and Toccara Montgomery at 72 kg. Both are at new weight classes from where they won the medal, with Miranda dropping in weight and Montgomery moving up. Both had disappointments last year in Halkida. Miranda has been on a mission this year, winning against many top stars during tours. Montgomery has learned to wrestle more like a heavyweight, and should be very dangerous right from the start. Although she has yet to win a medal, Sara McMann at 63 kg has also beaten most of her top competitors and has been very successful this season. All of these people could win medals with good performances.
The two newcomers on the “Yankee” team are 51 kg Jenny Wong and 59 kg Sally Roberts. Wong has paid her dues, winning the World Team Trials for two straight years. This year, she won her Special Wrestle-off after losing it last year. Roberts is an exciting new star, who has bounced between 59 kg and 63 kg but seems to have her weight issues managed. She has tremendous power and passion in her style, and could surprise athletes who have not seen her yet. The U.S. coaches are looking to make some history in New York.
UNITED STATES
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jenny Wong
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tina George
59 kg/130 lbs. - Sally Roberts
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Kristie Marano
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery
Germany has developed a strong overall program, and is showing good progress in the youth programs as well. Germany’s top star at this time is defending World Champion Brigitte Wagner at 48 kg, who was also a Junior World Champion a few seasons ago. Wagner will be backed up by past World finalist Anita Schatzle at 72 kg, and talented veteran Stephanie Gross at 63 kg. The three athletes offer a strong nucleus that could wrack up some team points in New York. Schatzle was ninth at the World meet in 2002, while Gross was seventh.
Two other German athletes placed in their divisions last year, Christina Oertli, who was fifth at 59 kg, and Annika Oertli who was sixth at 67 kg. Even with some question marks at 51 kg and 59 kg, the German team will be balanced and capable at each weight class. Should Germany move a number of athletes out of the pools, it will be in a position to challenge for a high spot in the team race.
GERMANY
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Brigitte Wagner
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Alexandra Demmel or Nicole Hauptmann
55 kg/121 lbs. - Christina Oertli, Jesicca Bechtel or Sabrina Lotz
59 kg/130 lbs. - Stefanie Stueber, Monique Schoder or Julia Weiss
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Stephanie Gross or Maria Mueller
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Annika Oertli or Susan Koehler
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Anita Schaetzle or Nina Englich
China was only 10th in the world last year, after claiming the World team title just a season before that. Some of the veterans on the Chinese team are no longer competing, but the nation has made a strong commitment to women’s wrestling, and the newcomers should be talented and tough.
China’s top performer last year was Wang Xu, who captured the silver medal at 72 kg. Another top placefinisher was Haivan Xu, who was fourth at 63 kg, as well as Wen Juling, who was seventh at 51 kg. All are capable of returning to the medal rounds, giving China a solid foundation to build from. The key to the Chinese performance will be at the other divisions. If the team can step up and make it through the pools, this could be a group that moves up to the top of the standings.
CHINA
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Li Hui
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Wen Juling
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sun Dongmei
59 kg/130 lbs. - Su Lihui
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Xu Haiyan
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Wang Jiao
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Wang Xu
Greece had a strong showing when it hosted the World Championships in 2002, led by an individual champion, Sofia Poumpouridou at 51 kg. She has decided to go up a weight division to compete at the Olympic weight class of 55 kg, and has already shown that she can beat the best at this weight class. Another World placewinner from last year that is moving up will be Aikaterina Siavou, who was fifth at 67 kg in 2002 but will now be competing at 72 kg. An athlete who is not on the roster is Konstantina Tsibakou, who was fourth last year at 55 kg but has given up her position to Poumpouridou.
It should be difficult for Greece to match its fifth-place finish of last year. Greece has one advantage over all the other nations. As the host of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece gets automatic entries in the Olympic Games at all four Olympic divisions. Every other athlete in the field is battling for the precious few spots in the Olympics, except for the Greeks. Without this kind of pressure, it will be interesting to see how the women from Greece do. Perhaps the lack of pressure will help them, or perhaps they won’t have the intensity of their competitors. It should be interesting.
GREECE
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Fani Psatha
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Mersini Koloni
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sofia Poumpouridou
59 kg/130 lbs. - Aikaterina-Ko Tsimpanakou
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Agoro Papavasileiou
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Stavroula Zygouri
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Aikaterina Siavou
Polandhas developed a very competitive women’s program, with some talent in the upper weight divisions. Leading the effort is 72 kg Edyta Witkowska, who was a World Champion in 2001. She also placed third in the World last year and was second in the world in 2000. Another talent in the higher weights is Ewelina Pruszko, who was fourth in the World last year at 67 kg and is the athlete listed again this year for the World Championships.
Another veteran contender is in the next weight down, Malgorzata Bassa at 63 kg. Bassa was fifth in the World meet last year in Greece, and has been a placewinner on other occasions. She boasts a pair of European titles, as well. The ability of Poland to move up in the standings may be determined by the lighter weight classes, where the athletes have yet to make a major impact. Coming off a sixth-place finish at the 2002 World meet, Poland looks to put some athletes into the medal round and try to move higher in the standings.
POLAND
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Iwona Sadowska
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Elzbieta Stryczek
55 kg/121 lbs. –Monica Michalik
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Malgorzata Bassa
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Ewelino Pruszko
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Edyta Witkowska
Canada is a World power, and has developed many athletes who have the capability of winning World medals. The team has a different look than the group that placed seventh in the World meet last year. Last year, Lyndsay Belisle placed fourth in the World at 51 kg, but she has dropped to 48 kg and beaten out two-time World medalist Carol Huyhn for the team. The new 51 kg athlete is Teresa Piotrowski, who will need a strong performance to keep Canada’s team point total up in the lower divisions.
Another new face is Viola Yanik at 63 kg, a young college star who won a loaded weight class in the Canadian Trials to get this opportunity. A key to the Canadian performance could come at 72 kg, where Ohenewa Akuffo beat out six-time World champion Christine Nordhagen-Vierling for the spot on the team. Akuffo has shown promise against top international stars, but will be seeking her first World medal.
Jen Ryz is a veteran at 55 kg, and has the experience to do well at this competitive division. Emily Richardson was eighth in the world last year at 59 kg, but has shown improvement and hopes to move up into medal territory. Shannon Samler also has World Championship experience at 67 kg, and also continues to progress internationally. This is a balanced Canadian team, but one without a true superstar leader. Competing in New York should be an advantage to them, as the culture is the same and there should be some Canadian fans in the crowd. The growing rivalry between the USA and Canada is healthy for both nations, and both teams could be in the running for the top spots in the finals standings.
CANADA
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Lyndsay Belisle
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Teresa Piotrowski
55 kg/121 lbs. - Jennifer Ryz
59 kg/130 lbs. - Emily Richardson
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Viola Yanik
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Shannon Samler
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Ohenewa Akuffo
France has one of the strongest traditions in women’s wrestling, with a team title and high individual performances in the past. The program may have slipped a bit in recent years, but it always has a potential to move up in the standings. Four-time World champion Anna Gomis of France will be seeking to return to the top of the medal stand again, helping France to jump back up in the standings. Another athlete with past success is Lise Legrand at 63 kg, She has won two World titles, and was second in the World last year at 67 kg. If a few of the other athletes step up and make a run at medals, France is right in the thick of the team race again.
FRANCE
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Angelique Berthenet
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Anne Catherine Delunche
55 kg/121 lbs. - Anna Gomis
59 kg/130 lbs. - Angelique Vaissie
63 kg/138.75 lbs. –Lise Legrand
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Fanny Gai
Other nations that have shown solid performances and talented athletes are Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Austria and Mexico.
In reality, the top of the pack in women’s wrestling is a rather close battle. Japan, Russia, China and the United States have won team titles in recent seasons, with Japan maintaining an edge that borders on a dynasty. These nations have the ability to put multiple athletes into the medal rounds and collect high team scores. With the improvement of the competition and the expanded depth in each weight class, it is much more difficult for just a few nations to earn multiple medal winners.
There are many nations with the skills and confidence to put two or three athletes through the pool competitions and into the medal rounds. Get a few through, and your team could be solidly into the top 10 in the standings. There were only a few points separating the No. 4 team last year, Germany with 27 points, and the No. 11 team, the USA with 19 points. One or two matches either way, and those nations could switch places.
Keep a close eye on the four Olympic divisions (48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg). The top five placewinners earn their nation a spot in the 2004 Olympics. These divisions should be true battlegrounds, and the results at these weights could play a big factor in the final team race.
2002 World Championships Team Standings
1. Japan, 47 pts.; 2. Sweden, 34 pts.; 3. Russia, 32 pts.; 4. Germany, 27 pts.; 5. Greece, 26 pts.; 6. Poland, 25 pts.; 7. Canada, 24 pts; 8. Ukraine, 21 pts.; 9. France, 21 pts; 10. China, 21 pts.; 11. USA, 19 pts.; 12. Turkey, 12 pts.; 13. Mexico, 12 pts.; 14. Norway, 8 pts; 14. Puerto Rico, 8 pts.; 16. Bulgaria, 8 pts.; 17. Romania, 7 pts.; 18. Czech Republic, 6 pts.; 19. Hungary, 5 pts.; 19. Austria, 5 pts.; 21. Venezuela, 4 pts.; 22. Italy, 3 pts.; 22. India, 3 pts.; 24. Belarus, 2 pts.; 24. Switzerland, 2 pts.; 24. Peru, 2 pts.; 27. Mongolia, 1 pt.; 27. Senegal, 1 pt.
----------------------------------------------------
Shame As Nigeria Boycotts World Wrestling Championships
Vanguard (Lagos)
September 6, 2003
Posted to the web September 7, 2003
As a total of 472 wrestlers, 296 m3n and 176 women from acoss the globe converge in New York, United States for the 2003 World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling holding September 12-14, Nigeria, host of the 8th All Africa Games is not participating after all .
In the tentative list of the participants by weight divisions for the championships made available to Weekend Sports by Gary Abbott , media director of USA Wrestling, organizers of the event , eleven other African countries have however entered a total of 31 wrestlers, ostensibly as avenue to prepare for the 8th All Africa Games, because competition, is keener and more tasking at the level of the World Championships the continental version.
Interestingly, while the giant of Africa, Nigeria is yet to send in entries to organizers in New York which holds in few days from today, perhaps , a confirmation that it is not important to the country even as the best avenue to wrestlers for Abuja 2003, several smaller African countries ,that cannot parade huge resources, are already in New York.
Africa's 31 wrestlers have been entered by Cameroun, Guinea- Bissau, Egypt, Uganda and Senegal. Others are Mauritania, Madagascar, South Africa, Namibia, Tunisia and Morocco, countries which cannot boast of the massive human, material and financial resources that Nigeria pours into the sports sector. But these countries have thought it important to do the proper skills test-run using the World Championships than just keeping athletes in camp as Nigeria has chosen to do.
In the list, Cameroun has wrestlers- three each for men and women. The men are Eric Clarke (74 kg), Jules Camdem (84 kg) , and Alaki D'Jovenessi for men while the women are Michiel Tom G. Mam(51 kg), Irene Ngan Edouka (63 kg) and Laure Ali Anna Bil (72 kg).
Senegal sent in the highest number of wrestlers to the championships - four men and three women. The men are Moise Sambou (66kg ) , Jean Diatta (74 kg), Mactar Sene (84 kg) and Antoine Bakhoum(120 kg class).Evelyne Diatta (51 kg), Isabelle Sambou (55 kg) and Marie Nicole Diedhiou (72 kg class) fill in for the women.
Namibia has only sent Nico Jacobs, who will contest in the men's 96 kg class while Egypt's Aly Abou Taleb Mohammed has been entered in men's 60 kg.. Interestingly, Guinea- Bissau has four entrants- three men and a woman. They are Fimban Chuda (60 kg), Cubos Siga (66 kg), and Bassillio Gomes Correla (74 kg) all for men while the only woman is Leopoldina Ross Davyes.
Uganda is being represented by Stephen Katunda in the men's 84 kg class and Rodgers Kiwanuka in the men's 96 kg class Tunisia fielded two women- Fadhila Bent Abdelka Louati(48 kg) and Saida Bent Youssef Riabi for the 72 kg class.
Mauritania fielded two men, Madagascar also fielded two men, South Africa two men, and Morocco a male and a female wrestler each.
No official of the Sports and Social Development Ministry in Abuja could be reached for comments as Dr. Tijani Yussuf, the deputy director was said to be unavailable. It could not be ascertained as to why Nigerian wrestlers too are not goin to use the auspices of the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling to up their preparations for the 8th All Africa Games, as a tie and performance against some of the world's best would most certainly provide the best preparation for the Games, a move that Cameroun , Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Mauritania and others have shown. If even small nations with little resources can afford the money to attend the world championships, it may sound insulting that the billions of naira voted for the All Africa Games training by the Federal Government has not been channeled toward the same championships.
------------------------------------------------------------
Wrestlers finally get N.Y. moment
By Gary Mihoces, USA TODAY 9/8/03
They are the home team, but it has been a long journey for the U.S. men and women who will wrestle for world titles this weekend at New York's Madison Square Garden.
American Cael Sanderson takes a break from practicing for the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling. |
The theme we've kind of been having as a team is that it's come full circle," says Kerry McCoy, who will compete in the men's 264½-pound class at the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling.
"We were supposed to wrestle in the world championships in New York two years ago. Now, it's back to where we were."
The 2001 championships were set for Sept. 26-29 at the Garden. The Sept. 11 attacks on the USA changed everything. The event was postponed and eventually moved abroad.
Even in 2002, the USA pulled out of the men's freestyle world championships in Iran, citing threats against the team. The 2002 women's tournament was held in Greece, and the U.S. team got to compete.
But now it's time to wrestle in New York.
McCoy, 29, who has come close to medals at past world and Olympic tournaments, gets another shot. Cael Sanderson, 24, unbeaten as a collegian but working on his transition to the different tactics and rules of the international style, wrestles in his first world championship. (Related item: 'Clinch' rule in spotlight at freestyle worlds)
Wrestlers from about 80 nations are entered, including a strong men-only team from Iran. An Iraqi team may come, too.
For the women, whose tournament usually is separate from the men, it's a prelude to their 2004 Olympics debut. There are 178 women entered this weekend, compared with 313 men.
And underlying competition Friday through Sunday will be awareness of why the tournament wasn't held here in 2001.
"I get emotional when I start thinking about that," U.S. men's coach Bobby Douglas says, haltingly. "It's something the wrestling community and the rest of the world will never forget. We want to do our part to bring about some of the healing."
The building swayed
Ed Gould, 56, New York state chairman for USA Wrestling, the national governing body, will be a volunteer manager at the event.
He also knows Kristie Marano, 24, of the U.S. women's team. She's from Albany, N.Y., and Gould helped coordinate team trips for her wrestling brothers.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Gould was on the 72nd floor in the World Trade Center's North Tower, working as an engineering project manager for the New York Port Authority. The first plane hit his tower.
"I didn't know what happened. It was a very large bang. The building swayed. ... I got up from my desk and looked out the window and saw debris," Gould says.
He and co-workers made it down the stairs in about 35-40 minutes. He went to the Wall Street office of his son, Brett, a former University of Pittsburgh wrestler.
Gould was looking at the Trade Center from the window of his son's office when the first tower collapsed.
Two years later, Gould sees this tournament as part of the healing. "It helps to prove that life does go on," he says.
Gould's son wrestled on junior teams with McCoy, who, like the Gould family, is from Long Island.
Among the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks were three men who also had ties to wrestling in the New York area:
• New York fire chief Ray Downey, who had two sons who wrestled for Hofstra University. He died after re-entering one of the collapsed towers. Gould knew Downey. "He was an avid fan of not just his sons but everybody's kid."
• Manhattan firefighter Mark Whitford, who wrestled for Seton Hall University. He also died in the Trade Center collapse.
• Jeremy Glick, an ex-wrestling captain at Saddle River (N.J.) Day School. He died on the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.
Last year, all three were awarded Medals of Courage at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla.
This weekend, Gould will be busy as an assistant competition manager: "I probably won't get to watch much wrestling."
Staying busy might not give him much time to dwell on the events of two years ago. "Maybe that's a blessing," he says.
No room for mistakes
The U.S. men won a silver and bronze in 2001. The women won two silvers in 2001 and a silver and bronze in 2002.
Among the hopefuls now is Sanderson, 159-0 at Iowa State, who had made the 2001 world team. After the postponement, he opted not to compete so he could focus on his senior year of college.
He made the world team again last year only to have the USA withdraw.
"I just looked at it like I'm going to get my opportunity ... just kind of hang in there and just keep working," Sanderson says. "It's been frustrating. ... But there is nothing you can do about it."
This freestyle season, Sanderson is 16-4. His losses all have been by one point, including controversial officiating decisions in both of his overtime losses to former world champion Yoel Romero of Cuba.
Dan Gable, U.S. wrestling icon and 1972 Olympic champ, says of Sanderson, "He's right there. He's lost only to great guys."
In international wrestling, there is more emphasis on racking up points by turning an opponent's shoulders and exposing his back to the mat. In college, wrestlers can roll through and move and expose their shoulders to the mat without surrendering points.
"It's just a different game," Sanderson says. "I created some pretty bad habits, things through college wrestling you can get away with."
Douglas, coach of the U.S. men, coached Sanderson at Iowa State. "When Cael graduated from college, I think a lot of people thought he was going to step right in and be a world champion, Olympic champion," Douglas says. "Those things may happen, but Cael has quite a bit of work to do."
Douglas says that doesn't mean Sanderson can't win it all this weekend.
"He's making great progress," Douglas says. "He's preparing to wrestle the match and the tournament of his life."
Grappling in the Garden
For Jenny Wong, 112¼-pounder for the U.S. women's team, this also will be the tournament of her life.
"It will be my first world championship, and it's so awesome to have it here in my own country," says Wong, 22.
She played "tons of sports" as a child. "But none of them really caught my attention," she says. "I played soccer when I was little, and I'd be like picking flowers and a ball would roll by."
She took up wrestling with the boys as a ninth-grader at Woodbury (Minn.) High School. "In wrestling, you can't look away or you'll get your head pounded," she says.
She got her chance to compete.
"Our starting 119-pounder quit when I was a freshman, and the coach just threw me in," she says. "I didn't win a match at all until my junior year, and then my senior year I got up to .500."
Now, she's among the U.S. women who are resident athletes at the USA Wrestling training center in Colorado Springs. And she's getting ready for the Garden.
"This is a great showcase for wrestling. It's a great venue," Douglas says. "We have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time."
*********************************************************************
Women
105 1/2 pounds: Patricia Miranda, 24, Colorado Springs — two-time U.S. champ, second in world in 2000
112 1/4: Jenny Wong, 22, Colorado Springs — U.S. champ in 2002
121: Tina George, 24, Colorado Springs — U.S. champ in 2001, second in world in 2002
130: Sally Roberts, 22, Colorado Springs — U.S. champ in 2003
138 3/4: Sara McMann, 22, Colorado Springs — four-time U.S. champ
147 1/2: Kristie Marano, 24, Albany, N.Y. — five-time U.S. champ, six-time world medalist, world champ in 2000
158 1/2: Toccara Montgomery, 20, Cleveland — three-time U.S. champ, second in world in 2001
By Michael Conroy, AP
***************************************************************
Team USA meets New York in Greeley Square press conference
9/9/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling Team USA, the best men and women freestyle wrestlers in the nation, met the city of New York, and many of its media members, during a press conference at Greeley Square in the heart of downtown Manhattan on Tuesday, Sept. 9
The public event was held in a small park at Broadway and 32nd Street, nestled between some of the busiest streets in the city. With a wrestling mat on a small stage, and a podum set up for speakers, the passerbys as well as the New York media were able to meet the U.S. athletes.
The formal presentation began with Ken Podziba, who runs the New York Sports Commission, reading an official proclamation by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. This will be World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling week in New York City, an important opportunity for the citizens of the Big Apple to learn more about the sport.
Also introduced were Set Agonian of the Metropolitan Wrestling Association and Mark Scott of USA Wrestling, key leaders in the organization of the championships.
John Korff of New York 2012 served as moderator of the activity, introducing each and every member of both the men’s and women’s team, and asking them questions.
The presentation was in the spirit of fun, with Korff and the wrestlers joking a bit and having some fun with the introductions. Each team lined up on the small raised mat and posed for pictures.
Perhaps the boldest statement was made by Sally Roberts, the 59 kg wrestler for the women’s team, who predicted that she would win the gold medal this weekend and raised the energy level of the presentation.
Kerry McCoy, the local star from Long Island, and the last athlete introduced, was a bit more serious, calling it a “great honor” to compete at the World Championships in his home city.
“It is a great privilege to compete at home,” said McCoy. “I am really excited about the competition. I want to say thank you to the City of New York and to all of our fans here. Watch out for Team USA.”
Then came a bit of tomfoolery, as members of Team USA staged mock matches with young wrestlers from Brooklyn. It started with McCoy, the largest athlete on the team, battling with kindergarten wrestler Lenny, all 40 pounds of him. Lenny got up on a ladder so he could look eye-to-eye with McCoy on the center of the mat.
“I can’t handle his level change,” said McCoy, as young Lenny, donning a bright singlet, took him down and pinned him.
A number of other wrestlers rolled around with some young kids, each time losing to the youngster. Cael Sanderson, Sally Roberts, Daniel Cormier and Patricia Miranda all grappled with the kids, giving all the photographers something fun to record for their publications.
The U.S. World Team coaches were then asked to talk about their teams and their chances in the tournament.
“America has one of the greatest teams ever put together,” said head coach Bobby Douglas of his freestyle troops.
“We have a good shot to win,” said head coach Townsend Saunders of his women’s team. We won the World title three years ago. This time, we have a strong team.”
When the formal part of the presentation ended, reporters conducted interviews with many of the team members in an informal format.
Soon Team USA was on the bus, some heading back to their hotel. Others chose to visit Ground Zero to learn something new about what it means to represent the United States.
Team USA members have been conducting interviews with local and national media for many days, all assisting the effort to promote the championships. With just two more days until weigh-ins, the athletes are lean, mean and ready to wrestle.
The competition runs from Friday, Sept. 12 through Sunday, Sept. 14. After listening to Team USA and its coaches talk about this opportunity, New York sports fans will have a new group of talented athletes to cheer for. (Even if they all were beaten to a pulp by a bunch of Kid wrestlers in public!!!)