Russian 84 kg star Andrey Valiev will be competing in Times Square for the second straight year. Larry Slater photo

Talented young Russian team to face strong American squad as part of full day of wrestling

New York, May 21, 2012 – The final matchups have been set for the ASICS USA vs. Russia freestyle wrestling dual meet which will be part of “The Grapple in the Big Apple” in Duffy Square in New York’s Times Square on Thursday, June 7.

The Russian team will feature a number of the nation’s top young wrestlers, and will provide a strong challenge for the American team.

Two past Junior World champions headline the Russian roster, Andrey Valiev at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Shamil Akhmedov at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

Three of the athletes placed a strong third in the recent Russian National Championships: Akhmedov, plus Kamal Malikov at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Eduard Bazrov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.

Also wrestling are rising young lightweights Artas Sanaa at 55 kg/121 lbs., Akhmed Chakaev at 60 kg/132 lbs. and Dzhalaludin Kurbanaliev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

The U.S. team for the dual meet has also been finalized. It will feature four athletes who earned spots on the men’s freestyle team for the London Olympic Games.

The 2012 U.S. Olympians scheduled to compete in Times Square include 2011 World champion Jordan Burroughs at 74 kg/163 lbs., 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., plus their Olympic teammates Sam Hazewinkel at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Jared Frayer at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.

Also competing in Times Square is U.S. Olympic Team Trials runner-up Logan Stieber at 60 kg/132 lbs. New additions to the U.S. lineup include national team members Keith Gavin at 84 kg/185 lbs. and J.D. Bergman at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.

The dual meet is part of a full day of Olympic-caliber wrestling activity in Times Square. 

The U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle wrestling will be also be held June 7 in Times Square. Reece Humphrey (Columbus, Ohio/New York AC) and Coleman Scott (Stillwater, Okla./Gator WC) will compete in a preliminary bout, with the winner facing Shawn Bunch (Columbus, Ohio/Gator WC) in a best-of-three series for the Olympic Team berth.

Two additional exciting Senior-level exhibition matches featuring top stars in both men’s and women’s freestyle wrestling will be held.

There will be a battle at 74 kg/163 lbs. in men’s freestyle between Cornell’s three-time NCAA champion Kyle Dake and two-time Olympian Matt Gentry of Canada. The women’s match will pit two-time U.S. World Team member Helen Maroulis against Ashley Hudson at 55 kg/121 lbs. 

The competition will be held prior to the 2012 ASICS Beat the Streets Gala and Benefit, which will be held following the dual meet at Roseland Ballroom. Included in the Gala is the Beat the Streets Reception and Awards Ceremony.

All of the wrestling events held in Times Square is free to the public, and will be shown on the largest single-faced LED screen in Times Square.

ASICS BEAT THE STREETS GALA
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7

Final ASICS USA vs. Russia matchups
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel, Norman, Okla. (Sunkist Kids) vs. Artas Sanaa (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. – Logan Stieber, Monroeville, Ohio (New York AC) vs. Akhmed Chakaev (Russia)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer, Norman, Okla. (Gator WC) vs. Dzhalaludin Kurbanaliev (Russia)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids) vs. Kamal Malikov (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Keith Gavin, Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley WC) vs. Andrey Valiev (Russia)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – J.D. Bergman, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) vs. Shamil Akhmedov
(Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Tervel Dlagnev, Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Kids) vs. Eduard Bazrov (Russia)

U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off at 60 kg

Preliminary Match
Reece Humphrey, Columbus, Ohio (New York AC) vs. Coleman Scott, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC)

Best of Three Championship Series
Shawn Bunch, Columbus, Ohio (Gator WC) vs. winner of Humphrey vs. Scott match

Exhibition Matches

55 kg/121 lbs. - Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) vs. Ashley Hudson (Wildwood, Mo./Gator WC). 

74 kg/163 lbs. men’s freestyle - Kyle Dake (Ithaca, N.Y./New York AC) vs. Matt Gentry (Canada)

TENTATIVE ASICS BEAT THE STREETS GALA COMPETITION SCHEDULE
At Duffy Square in Times Square, New York, N.Y., June 7
1:00 PM – U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Humphrey vs. Scott preliminary
3:00 PM – Beat the Streets youth wrestling exhibition matches
6:00 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 1 – Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner
6:10 PM – 55 kg women’s freestyle exhibition – Maroulis vs. Hudson
6:40 PM – ASICS USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet – 55 kg, 60 kg, 66 kg matches
7:10 PM – 74 kg men’s freestyle exhibition – Dake vs. Gentry
7:25 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 2 – Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner
7:40 PM – ASICS USA vs. Russia freestyle dual meet – 74 kg, 84 kg, 96 kg, 120 kg matches
8:20 PM - U.S. Olympic Trials Wrestle-off at 60 kg – Championship Series Match 3 (if necessary)– Bunch vs. Humphrey/Scott winner

ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The Mission of the Beat the Streets Wrestling Program is to expand and develop wrestling in the New York City Metropolitan area from the youth through the Olympic level. Our dream is to provide opportunities for boys and girls in the activity of wrestling, building lifelong skills. If you share this mission and would like to volunteer to help, please contact volunteer@beat-the-streets.org.