BUDAPEST, Hungary – The U.S. Junior World Greco-Roman team is prepared and confident for the start of the FILA Junior World Championships here on Tuesday.

The U.S. team has been in Hungary for three days, but just moved in today into the official host hotel, the Danubius Arena, which is right across the street from the competition venue.

The tournament will not be held in the same venue which hosted the 2005 World Wrestling Championships, which is also on this block. This year’s venue is more like a convention hall which has been turned into an arena, with four raised mats surrounded by portable stands.

The first four weight classes weigh in on Monday, with the following wrestlers starting off with competition on Tuesday:
50 kg/110 lbs. - Max Nowry, Wheeling, Ill. (New York AC)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Jimmy Chase, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Alec Ortiz, Grand Ronde, Ore. (Minnesota Storm)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. - Robert Barbour, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)

The second set of wrestlers will weigh in on Tuesday, with competition on Wednesday:
55 kg/121 lbs. - Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (Ringers)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ellis Coleman, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Ben Provisor, Stevens Point, Wis. (Sunkist Kids/USOEC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Steve Andrus, Manhattan, Kansas (Michigan WC)

TheMat.com was able to get video interviews with Chase, Thielke, Provisor and Coleman on Sunday, as well as the three coaches: Ike Anderson, Gary Mayabb and Scott Green.

These interviews were not posted on Sundary. There was only wireless internet available in the host hotel, and it is currently not functioning. The media work areas for the arena were not set up yet. The only way that this story could be posted was by borrowing an internet line from one of the members of the local organizing committee who was willing to lend an internet cable to post this story.

UPDATE on internet: It is Monday morning, and the hotel is still not connected. The videos have been posted from a coffee shop at the nearby shopping mall, which has free wireless for customers. So, one tea and one Coca-Cola Light later, we have posted the videos for you. We will try to get some Greco-Roman practice videos shot and posted today.

All of the U.S. athletes are very confident. Provisor and Chase have been on three U.S. Junior World Teams, and Thielke returns for the second time. Coleman has had a tremendous year, including success on the Senior level. Chase indicated that the athletes on the U.S. team have set a goal to win the team title, something which has driven them during their training. 

Anderson indicated that this team is one of the most experienced groups which have represented the USA at this level, and a number of the team members are serious medal hopefuls.

The other U.S. teams have not yet arrived in Budapest at the official hotel, with the women’s team due tomorrow and the freestyle team arriving in a few days.

TheMat.com will bring daily updates and will post interviews and match videos as possible from the event all week.