Two-time World bronze medalist Justin Lester made his fifth U.S. World Team this year. Larry Slater photo.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Justin Lester knows what it takes to be successful against the best wrestlers on the planet.

He won back-to-back World bronze medals in 2006 and 2007, and was a key member of the American squad that won the only World title in U.S. Greco-Roman history in 2007.

Four years later, Lester thinks a similar performance could be in store for the U.S. at next month’s World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey. The Greco-Roman competition will kick off the seven-day tournament, with Greco action scheduled for Sept. 12-14.

“I think this team is as good as the 2007 team, I really do,” Lester said. “We have an excellent team. Up and down the lineup, we have guys who have beaten World champs and World medalists. We will be prepared. We just have to lay it on the line and step up. I think we will do well.”

The U.S. team features plenty of experience and firepower. Four of the seven members of the 2007 World championship team are on this year’s squad.

In addition to Lester, World champion Dremiel Byers, World bronze medalist Justin Ruiz and two-time World Team member Joe Betterman were on that squad which edged Russia by a point for the team title in 2007 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The 27-year-old Lester is back competing at his old weight class of 66 kg/145.5 lbs., and is now a member of the U.S. Army’s World Class Athlete Program. He’s looked like the Lester of old, dominating opponents with his attacking, relentless style.

“I’m real excited,” Lester said. “It’s a great tournament in a very intense environment. I just need to put everything together I’ve worked on this year and in past years. Everything has to be clicking mentally and physically. I will be ready to go.”

Past Olympian and World Team member Spenser Mango also has joined the Army program where Byers has been a leader and a fixture for years. Mango will wrestle in his third straight World Championships.

“The Army has been great for me,” Lester said. “They have one of the best coaches I’ve had in Shon Lewis. And then I have (U.S. Assistant National Coach) Momir Petkovic at the Olympic Training Center to work with me as well. It’s the best of both worlds for me. The Army has given me great support. Now I’m representing my country and the Army team when I compete. It’s a great situation.”

Byers, a 2008 Olympian, has finished in the top five in the last three World Championships. He delivered a clutch win to capture a bronze medal in 2007 before placing second in 2009 and fifth last year. He won a World title in 2002.

“Dremiel’s been a huge part of our success in Greco and he has the same goals as I do,” Lester said. “It’s great to have support from a guy like that. He’s been the best in the World and I know he can do it again.”

Lester has been going by his given name of Justin this year. He was previously known by his nickname of Harry.

“I may have to change it up again next year, and be like P Diddy,” Lester said with a laugh. “I may shorten my name to initials. I may switch it up just to keep everyone on their toes.”

Lester’s career has taken a few twists and turns since he won his World medals in 2006 and 2007. He suffered an upset loss to Jake Deitchler in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and retired after that tournament.

His retirement was short-lived and he returned to competition a few months later. He bumped up a weight class to 74 kg/163 lbs. and made the U.S. World Team in 2009. He suffered a controversial loss to eventual World silver medalist Mark Madsen of Denmark in his first match at the 2009 Worlds in Herning, Denmark.

Lester missed most of last season after joining the Army. He was in basic training during the 2010 Worlds in Moscow, Russia, where the U.S. fell short of winning a medal. Byers and Ruiz finished fifth in that event.

Lester has put together a strong season, winning four tournaments. He won the Dave Schultz Memorial before winning the Granma Cup in Cuba.

He followed by winning the U.S. Open and U.S. World Team Trials.

Lester also earned a win earlier this year over returning World silver medalist Armen Vardanyan of Ukraine in the Hungarian Grand Prix in March.

“It was a good win,” he said, “but I will measure my progress by how well I do at Worlds.”

Lester will compete at a World-level tournament at 66 kilos for the first time since the 2007 Worlds.

“I’m back in my old weight class and back in my element,” he said. “It feels weird being back at 66. It’s way different. The guys at 74 wrestled a slower pace and they were obviously stronger. The matches at 66 are more exciting and fast-paced. That’s the style that I like to wrestle.”

Lester is taking part in the final U.S. World Team Camp this week at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

“Justin has been training very hard and is very serious about performing well in Istanbul,” U.S. National Coach Steve Fraser said. “He knows what it takes to win and is determined to do just that. The key for Justin is to continue his preparation with great vigor, manage his weight professionally, and hone his killer instinct.”

Lester, an Akron, Ohio, native, also has his eyes on making his first Olympic Team next year. He finished third in the 2008 Olympic Trials in Las Vegas. He was heavily favored to win that event.

“I don’t really think about it,” he said. “I was upset about it, but I can’t dwell on it. It is in the past. I learned from it and moved on. I think about how exciting it would be to wrestle in the Olympics next year. It would be great to have my family and my daughter (Zuriana) there to support me.”

Like Lester, the U.S. team heads overseas next week with high hopes.

“Coach Fraser has set some lofty goals,” Lester said. “He wants to win three gold medals, two other medals, and qualify all seven weights for the Olympics. Those are high goals, but we can attain them.”