SURREY, B.C., Canada - The Fifth Annual Hargobind International Wrestling Championships will be held in two locations near Vancouver, B.C., Canada, November 4-5. The tournament traditionally features the top competitors from Canada, numerous stars from the United States, as well as competitors from other nations. The women’s freestyle competition will be held on Friday, Nov. 4 at Simon Fraser Univ. in Burnaby, B.C., Canada. All of the non-Olympic divisions will be completed on Friday. The gold-medal finalists in the four Olympic weight classes will be determined on Friday, but will compete for the title on Saturday. Also held on Friday is a Canadian Men’s Qualifying carding event, as well as the men’s college division. The men’s freestyle competition at the Hargobind International, as well as the four women’s Olympic weight class gold medal finals, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Guildford Recreation Center in Surrey, B.C., Canada. One of the reasons for a strong turnout is the $35,000 in prize money given at the event. Last year, eight U.S. wrestlers won gold medals in this event. Money is given to champions at Olympic weight classes, and special challenge matches between champions will also be held for additional prize money. In 2010, the winner of the $5,000 challenge match between 96 kg and 120 kg in men’s freestyle was heavyweight Tommy Rowlands (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids), who defeated fellow American and 96 kg champion Wynn Michalak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) for the prize. The event could have an impact on the 2011 U.S. Olympic Team Trials field, as well. In women’s freestyle, any U.S. champion who is not already qualified will earn a trip to the Olympic Trials in Iowa City. Based upon information from the major club programs in the United States, as well as the USA Wrestling National Coaching staff, there are numerous American wrestlers who are planning to compete in the Hargobind International. Among those expected are in the women’s division are 2011 World bronze medalist and Olympian Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Other past World Team members from the U.S. who may compete are Whitney Conder (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 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., Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. Two past Junior World Team members will enter at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Victoria Anthony (Huntington Beach, Calif./New York AC) and Nicole Woody (Gambrills, Md./Gator WC). In the men’s division, 2008 Olympic champion Henry Cejudo (Columbus, Ohio/Sunkist Kids) is expected at 55 kg/121 lbs. 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC) may enter at 60 kg/132 lbs. Past World Team members Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. could enter. Also on the preliminary list is Junior World champion Dom Bradley (Blue Springs, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. There are other nationally ranked American athletes who may compete in Canada. Athletes will be representing their club programs at this event. The tournament is being held in memory of Canadian wrestler Randeep (Ravi) Sodhi. A wrestling room will be named in his honor during the weekend. Sodhi was a Program Director for the wrestling program in British Columbia, and a role model for young wrestlers in the Guru Hargobind Wrestling Club. Expected United States Men's Wrestlers (preliminary list) 55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) 55 kg/121 lbs. – Henry Cejudo, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Mike Zadick, Solon, Iowa (Gator WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dom Bradley, Blue Springs, Mo. (Sunkist Kids) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Jarod Trice, Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Gator WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Les Sigman, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC) Expected United States Women's Wrestlers (preliminary list) 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Nicole Woody, Gambrills, Md. (Gator WC) 48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Rachel Bernardes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Air Force) 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony, Huntington Beach, Calif. (New York AC) 51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Jessica Medina, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 55 kg/121 lbs. - Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 55 kg/121 lbs. – Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) 59 kg/130 lbs. - Trinity Plessinger, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Erin Clodgo, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Ali Bernard, New Ulm, Minn. (Gator WC) * Please note that additional U.S. wrestlers may enter this tournament, and this is only a preliminary list provided by club programs. 2010 Hargobind International men's champions 55 kg/121 lbs. – John Pineda (Canada) 60 kg/132 lbs. - Shawn Bunch (USA-Gator WC) 66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Haislan Garcia (Canada) 74 kg/163 lbs. – Lloyd Rogers (USA-Hawkeye WC) 84 kg/185 lbs. – Raymond Jordan (USA – Sunkist Kids) 96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Wynn Michalak (USA – Gator WC) 120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tommy Rowlands (USA – Sunkist Kids) 2010 Hargobind International women's champions 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Sara Fulp-Allen (USA – New York AC) 51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica McDonald (Canada) 55 kg/121 lbs. – Helen Maroulis (USA – New York AC) 59 kg/130 lbs. – Amanda Gerhart (Canada) 63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Danielle Lappage (Canada) 67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Megan Buydens (Canada) 72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Ali Bernard (USA – Bears) 80 kg/176 lbs. – Hillary Greening (Canada) Hargobind International Championships schedule Friday, November 4 at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. 10:00 a.m – conclusion - All Women’s weight classes; Men’s Canadian Carding Tournament; Men’s College division. Note: Non-Olympic women’s weights will conclude. Gold-medal matches for Olympic women’s weight classes will be held on Saturday. Saturday, November 5 at Guilford Recreation Center in Surrey, Canada 10:00 a.m. – Session I, men’s weight classes 12:30 p.m. – Session II, men’s weight classes 5:00 p.m. – Championship Finals and Challenge Matches