Olympic Fight Top 10 Countdown: No. 4 Freestyle World Cup

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Richard Immel (USA Wrestling)
10/13/2013


In honor of wrestling being reinstated as an Olympic sport for the 2020 and 2024 Olympic games USA Wrestling will be counting down the top 10 moments in wrestling’s Olympic fight. 

No. 4 on our Olympic Fight Top 10 Countdown is the Freestyle World Cup that took place in Tehran, Iran on February 21-22. The Greco-Roman World Cup was also held in Tehran prior to the freestyle event.
 
The Freestyle World Cup was held less than 10 days after the initial recommendation by the International Olympic Committee Executive Board that wrestling be removed as a core sport from the Olympic Games after 2016.
 
Many world wrestling powers including the United States, Russia and Iran came together in Tehran marking a significant moment in wrestling’s Olympic fight by transcending political borders and showcasing the unity of the wrestling community.
 
Iran emerged the victor on the mat by defeating Russia in the finals 6-1. The United States finished in third place boasting a 4-1 record with the team’s only loss coming at the hands of Iran.
 
The World Cup was the catalyst of wrestling’s Olympic fight leading to two important World Wrestling Month events, Rumble on the Rails and United 4 Wrestling.

Olympic Fight Top 10 Countdown
10. Battle at the Falls
9. United 4 Wrestling
8. Social Media Charge
7. Six Women’s Weights for 2016 Olympics
6. Olympia Tournament
5. Rumble on the Rails
4. Freestyle World Cup
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