The United States had a strong performance at the 2006 World Wrestling Championships in Guangzhou, China, held Sept. 25 - October 1.

The USA earned nine medals, four in men's freestyle, three in men's Greco-Roman and two in women's freestyle.

Included were two individual World Champions: Joe Warren (Greco-Roman 60 kg/132 lbs.) and Bill Zadick (Freestyle 66 kg/145.5 lbs.). It was a first World title for both athletes.

It was the first time since 1999 that the U.S. had  two or more World Champions the same year in wrestling.

The U.S. men's Greco-Roman Team placed third. This ties their best ever performance (also third at 2001 World Championships). The three medals also matches the best ever by a U.S. Greco-Roman Team. Harry Lester at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. became the first USOEC wrestler to win a Senior World medal. Lindsey Durlacher also won a medal at 55 kg/121 lbs.

The U.S. men's freestyle team placed third, with four medalists. This was a big jump from 2005, when the team was eighth with two medalists. Sammie Henson, a 1998 World champion, won his third World-level medal. The other two medalists, Mike Zadick at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Donny Pritzlaff at 74 kg/163 lbs. won a medal in their first World Championships appearance.

With the Zadick brothers winning medals, Bill's gold and Mike's silver, it was the first U.S. brother combination to win medals the same year since the Brands brothers, Terry and Tom, were gold medalists at the 1993 World Championships.

The U.S. women's team placed seventh, with two medalists. Kristie Marano, the bronze medalist at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., won her record eighth World medal. She has been an amazing eight for eight in medal performances at this event. Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda returned after a year off to concentrate on law school, and won her fourth career World-level medal.

Athletes are available for followup interviews. Contact Gary Abbott or Craig Sesker at USA Wrestling for information and interview assistance at 719-598-8181.

Below are the final placements of the U.S. wrestlers at the World Championships. More information can be found on TheMat.com (www.themat.com) or at the USOC Press Box.

WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Guangzhou, China, Sept. 25 - October 1

U.S. Greco-Roman performances
55 kg/121 lbs. - Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3rd
60 kg/132 lbs. - Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), World Champion
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester, Akron Ohio (USOEC/Gator WC), 3rd
74 kg/163 lbs. - T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 5th 
84 kg/185 lbs. - Jacob Clark, Okinawa, Japan (U.S. Marine Corps), dnp/12th
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), dnp, 12th
120 kg - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), 9th

Top 10 Greco-Roman teams:
1. Turkey, 34; 2. Russia, 34; 3. United States, 34 ; 4. Georgia, 29; 5. Iran, 27; 6. Ukraine, 26; 7. Bulgaria, 18; 8. Hungary, 16; 9. Finland, 15; 9.Belarus, 15

U.S. freestyle performances
55 kg/121 lbs. - Sammie Henson, Flintstone, Ga., 3rd
60 kg/132 lbs. - Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Hawkeye WC), 2nd
66 kg/132 lbs. - Bill Zadick, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), World Champion
74 kg/163 lbs. - Donny Pritzlaff, Madison, Wis. (New York AC), 3rd
84 kg/185 lbs. - Andy Hrovat, Ann Arbor, Mich. (New York AC), dnp/18th
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Daniel Cormier, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC), dnp/20th
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Tolly Thompson, Cedar Falls, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dnp/14th

Top 10 freestyle teams:
1. Russia, 51; 2. Iran, 44; 3. United States, 35; 4. Ukraine, 33; 5. Uzbekistan, 32; 5. Georgia, 32; 7. Belarus, 23; 8.Bulgaria, 22; 9. Cuba, 18; 10. Azerbaijan, 16

U.S. women's freestyle performances
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Mary Kelly, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 9th
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Sunkist Kids), 3rd
55 kg - Tina George, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army), dnp/21st
59 kg/112.25 lbs. - Erin Tomeo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 7th
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann, Iowa City, Iowa (Sunkist Kids), dnp/12th
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Katie Downing, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), dnp/14th
72 kg/158.5 lbs.- Kristie Marano, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC), 3rd

Top 10 women's freestyle teams:
1. Japan, 67; 2. China, 41; 3. Canada, 30; 4. Russia; 5. Belarus, 24; 5. Germany, 23; 7. United States, 22; 7. Ukraine, 22; 9. Poland, 19; 9. Sweden, 19