Top athletes from around the world are expect to compete at the New York Athletic Club Holiday International Championships in New York City, N.Y., November 17-18.

The New York AC Holiday International is a major early season international wrestling event, held at the historic New York Athletic Club facility in mid-town Manhattan.  Competition will be held in all three Olympic styles of the sport, men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle.

Nations that have indicated that they may compete against the strong American field at the New York AC Holiday International Championships include Russia, Romania, Canada, Kyrgysztan, Japan, Ukraine, Albania, Australia, Israel, France and Pelau.  

This event is an important competition as athletes prepare for the Olympic year. Many of those who compete in New York are expected to participate in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Wrestling in Las Vegas, Nev., June 13-15.

Preliminary entry information indicates that numerous World and Olympic medalists are expected to participate.

Among the U.S. stars expected to compete are:
- 2002 World champion Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. (Greco-Roman)
- 2005 World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. (Greco-Roman)
- 2006 World bronze medalist Donny Pritzlaff (Madison, Wis./New York AC) at 74 kg/163 lbs. (freestyle)
- 2004 Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. (women's freestyle)
- Two-time World bronze medalist Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. (women's freestyle)

Among the international stars expected to compete are:
- 2005 World champion Alan Dudaev of Russia at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. (freestyle)
- Two-time World medalist Ramil Islamov of Russia at 60 kg/132 lbs. (freestyle)
- Three-time World bronze medalist Eusebiu Diaconu of Romania at 60 kg/132 lbs. (Greco-Roman)
- Three-time World medalist Carol Huhyn of Canada at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. (women's freestyle)
- 2007 World bronze medalist Mayalis Caripa of Venezuela at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. (women's freestyle)

Many other stars who have not registered are expected to compete.

For more information, visit:
http://www.nyacwrestlingopen.com/

NEW YORK ATHLETIC CLUB HOLIDAY INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE

Friday November 16, 2007
Greco-Roman Registration: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Greco-Roman Skin Checks: 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Greco-Roman Weigh-ins: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm 
Women's Freestyle Registration: 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Women's Freestyle Skin Checks: 4:15 pm - 4:30 pm
Women's Freestyle Weigh-ins: 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Pairing Officials Clinic: 3:30 pm - 7:00 pm 

Saturday November 17, 2007
FILA Officials Clinic: 7:30 am - 8:30 am
Greco-Roman & Women's Freestyle Session I: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 
Greco-Roman & Women's Freestyle Session II: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Greco-Roman & Women's Freestyle Finals: 4:00 pm - Conclusion
Men's Freestyle Registration: 3:00 pm -4:30 pm
Men's Freestyle Skin Checks: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Men's Freestyle Weigh-in: 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Buffet and Tod Giles Memorial: 7:00 pm 

Sunday November 18, 2007
Men's Freestyle Session I: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 
Men's Freestyle Session II: 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Men's Freestyle Finals: 4:00 pm - Conclusion 

Returning New York AC Holiday International Champions

Women's freestyle champions
105.5 - Mary Kelly (New York AC)
112.25 - Makiko Sakamoto (Japan)
121 - Hitomi Sakamoto (Japan)
130 - Katie Patroch (Canada)
138.75 - Alaina Berube (New York AC)
147.5 - Katie Downing (Sunkist Kids)
158.5 - Shayla Turcotte (Burnaby Mountain WC/Canada)

Men's Greco-Roman champions
121 - Spenser Mango (Gator WC)
132 - Hiroshi Shimomura (Japan)
145.5 - Jacob Curby (USOEC)
163 - Cheney Haight (New York AC)
185 - Aaron Sieracki (U.S. Army)
211.5 - Justin Ruiz (New York AC)
264.5 - Russ Davie (New York AC)

Men's freestyle champions
121 - Vic Moreno (Advanced)
132 - Seshito Shimizu (Japan)
145.5 - Jared Lawrence (Minnesota Storm)
163 - Denis Tsargush (Russia)
185 - Andy Hrovat (New York AC)
211.5 - Mo Lawal (Gator WC)
264.5 - Tommy Rowlands (Sunkist Kids)