Heavyweight Kirill Gotovtsev, a two-time bronze medalist at the Yarygin Memorial, is among the young Russian stars coming to the USA this week. Photo from Russian Federation website

The Russian Wrestling Federation has announced the lineup of freestyle wrestlers who will travel to the United States to compete in the annual New York Athletic Club Freestyle International, as well as a pair of USA vs. Russia dual meets in late November.

The Russian team will feature a number of talented young stars with considerable international experience.

The Russians will compete in a USA vs. Russia dual meet in Hempstead, N.Y., Friday, Nov. 19. The team will wrestle in the New York Athletic Club Freestyle International in New York City, N.Y. on Sunday, Nov. 21. The Russians will then compete in another USA vs. Russia dual meet in Troy, N.Y., on Saturday, Nov. 27.

Leading the Russian team is 2010 European silver medalist Magomedmurad Gadzhiev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs., who also won the 2010 Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix, one of the world’s most respected tournaments.

Another top Russian star is Alexander Gostiev at 74 kg/163 lbs., who won a gold medal at the 2010 FILA Golden Grand Prix finals and was second at the 2010 Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix. Gostiev has twice been a runner-up in the Russian Nationals.

Competing at 84 kg/185 lbs. is Koloy Kortoev, a 2009 Junior World champion and two-time European Junior champion. Gadzhi Abdulaev, a 2010 Junior World champion, is listed as a reserve at 60 kg/132 lbs.

Kirill Gotovtsev will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. He has placed third in the Ivan Yarygin Memorial Grand Prix the last two years.

Rounding out the Russian delegation are young stars Rasul Murtazaliev at 60 kg/132 lbs., and Marat Ibragimov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. plus four athletes at 55 kg/121 lbs.: Ilyas Bekbulatov, Nikolay Sleptsov, Rasul Mashezov and Petr Sivtcev.

The team leader for the Russian squad is Christakis Alexandridis.

RUSSIAN FREESTYLE NATIONAL TEAM
For tour to New York in November 2010
55 kg/121 lbs. – Ilyas Bekbulatov
55 kg/121 lbs. - Nikolay Sleptsov
55 kg/121 lbs. - Rasul Mashezov
55 kg/121 lbs. - Petr Sivtcev
60 kg/132 lbs. - Rasul Murtazaliev
60 kg/132 lbs. - Gadzhi Abdulaev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Magomedmurad Gadzhiev
74 kg/163 lbs. – Alexander Gostiev
84 kg/185 lbs. – Koloy Kortoev
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Marat Ibragimov
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Kirill Gotovtsev

Biographies of Russian National Team athletes

55 kg/121 lbs. – Ilyas Bekbulatov
Fifth in 2008 Takhti Cup… Second in 2008 European Junior Championships.. 2007 European Cadet champion… from Dagestan… Born August 12, 1990

55 kg/121 lbs. - Nikolay Sleptsov
Born July 28, 1987

55 kg/121 lbs. - Rasul Mashezov
Third in 2010 Junior World Championships… Born March 9, 1990…

55 kg/121 lbs. - Petr Sivtcev
2009 Dmitry Korkin Memorial champion… Born February 11, 1986…

60 kg/132 lbs. - Rasul Murtazaliev
Third in the Russian National Championships… from Dagestan… Born July 20, 1988….

60 kg/132 lbs. - Gadzhi Abdulaev
2010 Junior World champion… Third in 2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International… Born February 13, 1991…

66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Magomedmurad Gadzhiev
Second in 2010 European Championships… 2010 Ivan Yarygin Memorial champion… Third in the Russian Nationals… Third in 2009 Ivan Yarygin Memorial… 2008 Junior World champion… from Dagestan… Born February 15, 1988…

74 kg/163 lbs. – Alexander Gostiev
2010 FILA Golden Grand Prix finals champion… Second in 2010 Yarygin Memorial International… Two-time runner-up in the Russian Nationals… from North Ossetia… Born January 24, 1987… 

84 kg/185 lbs. – Koloy Kortoev
2009 Junior World champion… 2009 and 2010 European Junior champion… Russian Junior National champion… from Krasnodar…. Born March 20, 1990…  

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Marat Ibragimov
Seventh in 2010 World University Championships… Third in 2010 Ramzan Kadirov Cup… from Moscow… Born February 1, 1990… 

120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Kirill Gotovtsev
Third in 2009 and 2010 Ivan Yarygin Memorial… Fifth in 2010 Medved International (Belarus)… Third in the Russian Nationals… from Krasnoyarsk… Born July 17, 1987