A group of talented U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers have travelled to Russia to participate in joint training as well as compete in an international wrestling tournament.

The team will enter the Open Cup of Russia, set for Chekhov, Russia, Dec. 4-5. Many of the world’s top women’s wrestling nations have been invited to participate.

Medalists in the competition will receive prize money, with gold medalists earning $3,000, silver medalists earning $2,000 and bronze medalists earning $1,000.

The U.S. will feature three past World medalists: 2008 World champion Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 2010 World silver medalist Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and two-time World bronze medalist Tatiana Padilla (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Other past U.S. Senior World Team members on the tour are Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Jessica Medina (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Competition will be in the four Olympic weight classes of 48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg and 72 kg on Saturday, Dec. 4. The three non-Olympic weights, 51 kg, 59 kg and 67 kg, will be contested on Sunday, Dec. 5.

Coaching the U.S. team will be National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner and Assistant National Women’s Coach Izzy Izboinikov, both of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Russia has become one of the world’s top powers in women’s wrestling, placing second at the 2010 World Championships held in Moscow. 

OPEN CUP OF RUSSIA
At Chekhov, Russia, Dec. 4-5

U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Sara Fulp-Allen, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tatiana Padilla, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
Coaches – National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner, Colorado Springs, Colo. and Assistant National Women’s Coach Izzy Izboinikov, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Competition Schedule

Saturday, Dec. 4
Competition at 48 kg, 55 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg

Sunday, Dec. 5
Competition at 51 kg, 59 kg, 67 kg