Midwest fans can’t miss USA vs. Russia at Chicago Cup on Feb 6

By Gary Abbott
USA Wrestling/Themat.com
gabbott@usawrestling.org

The saying goes: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t”

Well, for once, it truly is too good. For a wrestling fan, having a chance to enjoy a USA vs. Russia World Dual meet in freestyle wrestling for FREE is like a dream come true.

All wrestling fans in America’s heartland are encouraged to attend the Chicago Cup, a freestyle wrestling dual meet between the United States and Russia, set for Welsh-Ryan Arena on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Ill. on Tuesday, February 6 at 7:15 p.m.

Even better, there will be four additional matches on the card. Two bouts will be held between U.S. stars in Greco-Roman against athletes from China, and two bouts will be held with U.S. women wrestlers facing Canada.

And yes, the admission is FREE. The event is being hosted by USA Wrestling in alliance with World Sport Chicago, the group that is bidding to host the 2016 Olympics.

This should be very big news in wrestling-rich Illinois, even though the match is two days after the beloved Bears compete in the Super Bowl. Illinois has one of the richest wrestling traditions in the nation. The goal is for a large and enthusiastic crowd of wrestling families to come out to Northwestern and cheer Team USA on to victory.

First things first. To get free tickets, fans must call in and request them in advance. Just call the ticketing number provided and reserve your complimentary ticket. For free tickets, call Kate Cox at 866-860-3234 or contact:
chicagocuptickets@jtpr.com

If you haven’t seen a USA vs. Russia dual meet, you will have a great treat. These are the two greatest freestyle wrestling teams on the planet, and there is a healthy rivalry between them. There is a long history of these matches, going back until the 1960’s when there was a cold war between the United States and the Soviet Union. In spite of world politics, the USA and the USSR battled almost every year in these dual meets, in front of large and enthusiast crowds.

The competition will be very outstanding, as the USA plans to send many of its best wrestlers, and Russia will have some strong young stars on the mat.

Six of the seven members of the 2006 U.S. World Team are scheduled to compete, including World silver medalist Mike Zadick at 60 kg/132 lbs. and World bronze medalists Sammie Henson (55 kg/121 lbs.) and Donny Pritzlaff (74 kg/163 lbs.). Also on the team are 2006 World Team members Andy Hrovat (84 kg/185 lbs.), Daniel Cormier (96 kg/211.5 lbs.) and Tolly Thompson (120 kg/264.5 lbs.). The other competitor is No. 2 ranked Jared Frayer at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

The Russian team is led by veteran Zaur Botaev at 74 kg/163 lbs., a 2002 World bronze medalist who also won Junior and Cadet World titles. 2005 Junior World champion Shamil Batirov (66 kg/145.5 lbs.) and 2006 University World champion Ali Isaev (84 kg/185 lbs.) are on the roster.



Russia also features Adam Batirov (60 kg/132 lbs.), who placed second at the 2003 Junior World Championships and Rustam Agaev (96 kg/211.5 lbs.), who was fifth in the 2004 Olympics competing for Azerbaijan.

The Greco-Roman matches will be outstanding. In a battle of World medalists, 2006 World bronze medalist Harry Lester (66 kg/145.5 lbs.) will face 2006 World Champion Yanyan Li of China. 2006 World bronze medalist Lindsey Durlacher (55 kg/121 lbs.) will face Chinese national champion Shujin Li.

The rivalry between the USA and Canada in women’s wrestling will also be on display. Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (63 kg/138.75 lbs.) will face 2006 World Team member Megan Dolan of Canada. 2006 World Team member Mary Kelly (48 kg/105.5) will battle past World silver medalist Carol Huynh.

There will be a chance for Illinois wrestling to celebrate two of their own. Durlacher hails from Buffalo Grove, Ill. and was a NCAA Div. I runner-up at the Univ. of Illinois. Kelly was from Mahomet, Ill., and was a trailblazer in developing wrestling opportunities for young women in the state.

For more than 30 years, these World Dual meet competitions have allowed fans all across the United States a chance to see international wrestling at its best. Many times, there have been large crowds at these USA vs. Russia matches, and the quality of the wrestling has been spectacular.

This event is part of Chicago’s effort to attract the 2016 Olympic Games to the Windy City. Because of a commitment to Olympic sports, the local sports leaders is offering this great sports event free to the citizens of the region.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PACK THE HOUSE.

This is truly a can’t miss opportunity for wrestling fans within driving distance of Chicago. Pick up the phone, call in to reserve your seats, and witness for yourself the best of international wrestling.

CHICAGO CUP LINEUPS

At Evanston, Ill, Feb. 6 at 7:15 p.m.

USA VS. RUSSIA IN FREESTYLE
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sammie Henson, Flintstone, Ga. (Sunkist Kids) vs. Osip Mikhailov
60 kg/132 lbs. – Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Hawkeye WC) vs. Adam Batirov or Shamil Batirov
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer, Cambridge, Mass. (Gator WC) vs. Ramazan Saritov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC) vs. Zaur Botaev or Chamsulvara Chamsulvaraev
84 kg/185 lbs. – Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC) vs. Ali Isaev or Murad Gadzhimuradov
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) vs. Rustam Agaev or Tokhtar Temrezov
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) vs. Aleksey Voronin

USA VS. CHINA IN GRECO-ROMAN
55 kg/121 lbs. – Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. ( New York AC) vs. Shujin Li
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Harry Lester, Akron, Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC) vs. Yanyan Li

USA VS. CANADA IN WOMEN’S FREESTYLE
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Mary Kelly, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) vs. Carol Huynh
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) vs. Megan Dolan

For a copy of the Chicago Cup event flyer, visit:
http://www.themat.com/eventfliers/2007/ChicagoDual.pdf

Gary Abbott is the Director of Communications and Special Projects for USA Wrestling and is a founder of the National Wrestling Media Association and is a 2005 recipient of the NWCA Meritorious Service Award.

Gary Abbott

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