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Russia, Iran indicate they may attend Clansmen International Open in Vancouver, Canada, Nov. 6-8
10/22/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
The Clansmen International Wrestling Tournament is a traditionally strong fall international tournament, which will be held at Simon Fraser Univ. in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Nov. 6-8.
Most of Canada’s best men and women freestyle wrestlers compete in this annual competition, as well as other top athletes from around the world.
Two of the world’s top men’s international wrestling nations have notified event organizers that they intend to send a talented team to the competition this year: Russia and Iran. Simon Fraser Univ. coach Mike Jones indicated that Russia and Iran are going through the process of receiving visas to attend the event.
Russia was the 2001 World Team champions in men’s freestyle, while Iran was the 2002 World Team champions in men’s freestyle.
The Russian lineup features many stars who have competed for Russia at the Olympic, World and European Championships. Leading the list of stars on the preliminary roster is 2000 Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Champion Adam Saitiev at 84 kg/185 lbs. Saitiev was a World gold medalist in 1999 and 2002.
Three members of Russia’s 2003 World Championships team were also included on the entry list: Mavlet Batirov at 55 kg/121 lbs., Taimuraz Tiguev at 96 kg/211.25 lbs. and Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. All three did not place in the top 10 at the World Championships in New York. Kouramagomedov was a World Champion in 1997.
Past World medalist Ramil Islamov is scheduled to compete at 60 kg/132 lbs. Others on the Russian entry list are also very talented, including Zaur Botaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Inal Dzagourov at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Oleg Khorpiakov at 120 kg/264.5 pounds.
Iran’s team roster also features a number of young stars, all expected to be part of the future success of Iran’s wrestling program. Among the top names are 2001 Junior World Champion Mohammed Khaleghifar at 96 kg/211.5 lbs., 2003 Junior World Champion Mohammed Pouralijan at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. and 2003 Asian champion Sayed Mohammadi at 60 kg/132 lbs. In addition, veteran Feridon Ghanbari, who competes at 84 kg/185 lbs., is on the list at 84 kg/185 lbs.
Others on the Iranian roster include Majid Roudbari at 55 kg/121 lbs., M.R. Ashori at 55 kg/121 lbs., Massoud Joukar at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Bazri at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., Jallal Latifi at 74 kg/163 lbs., Abbas Ranjbar at 74 kg/163 lbs., Valivand at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Masoumi at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
A team of five men’s Japanese wrestlers are also included in the preliminary entry list. Traditionally, a number of U.S. wrestlers compete in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
This event has added importance with the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece just months away. The athletes on the mats during the tournament will be gaining valuable experience in their quest to earn a spot in next summer’s Olympic Games. Canada’s Olympic Trials will be held in December, and the U.S. Olympic Trials are set for May.
The entry fee is $30 Canadian. For information contact Mike Jones or Justin Abdou at 604-291-4382 or 604-291-4058, or via e-mail at mjones@sfu.ca
CLANSMAN INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, November 6
6: 00 pm – 7: 00 pm - Weigh-in for Men’s FS, + 2KG
Friday, November 7
6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – First Session for Men’s FS only
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. - Weigh-in for Women’s FS, + 2KG
Saturday, November 8
9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Remaining preliminaries for Men’s FS and Women’s FS
6:00 p.m. – Championship finals for Men’s FS and Women’s FS
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10/22/2003
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
ESPN has notified USA Wrestling that it has changed the time that it will air the second showing of the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling, held in Madison Square Garden in New York City.
This one-hour show with coverage of the gold-medal round will be broadcast on ESPN2 on Thursday, October 23, starting at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
The show was scheduled to be aired an hour later in previous announcements.
The tournament features the world’s best men and women freestyle wrestlers, competing in the world’s most famous sports arena, Madison Square Garden. The event was held September 12-14, and the show will be aired on a tape-delayed basis.
The first airing of the show on ESPN2 was broadcast today.
The broadcast team for the show featured play-by-play announcer Russ Hellickson, the head wrestling coach at Ohio State, who has announced the wrestling competition at every Olympic Games since the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He was joined by color commentators Kendall Cross, a 1996 Olympic gold medallist in freestyle wrestling, and sports broadcaster Joe Miller.
The United States had a strong team in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The show will focus on the U.S. team’s attempt to capture the team title in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
This competition will also served as a qualifying event for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. There were over 60 nations participating with more than 400 competitors.
ESPN has aired a number of major international amateur wrestling events in recent years, including the World Cup, USA vs. Russia duals, USA vs. Iran duals and the U.S. Nationals.
If you are unable to watch the event on your TV, please remember to reset your VCR to the new airtime and capture the excitement of the memorable World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling in New York City.
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