Session 3 of Freestyle World Cup - USA and Iran unbeaten heading in finals

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
04/03/1999


Session III at Avista Corp. XXVII World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling 

United States beats Canada, 29-3, for third World Cup victory

The United States extended its record to 3-0 with a victory over Canada, 29-3, in the third session of the Avista Corp. XXVII World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash., April 3. The U.S. won all eight matches in the dual meet.

The victory set up a showdown for the team title with Iran, which also has a 3-0 team record. The U.S. will face Iran in the evening session to conclude the World Cup competition.

The U.S. opened with two technical falls for a commanding 8-0 team lead. 1998 World Champion Sammie Henson (Norman, Okla./.Sunkist Kids) stopped Paul Ragusa, 11-0 in 2:54 and Tony Purler defeated Dennis Pagliniwan, 12-0 at 4:08.

Kerry Boumans (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC), wrestling up a weight class as a replacement for Cary Kolat, won his bout at 138.75 pounds, beating Jeremy Podlog, 9-2.

In a spectacular overtime match, Lincoln McIlravy (Iowa City, Iowa/Gateway) scored a spin behind takedown 41 seconds into overtime to defeat Daniel Igali, 3-2. McIlravy was third in the 1998 World Championships and Igali placed fourth.

Steve Marianetti (Urbana, Ill./New York AC) kept up the momentum with a pin over George Orbi in 5:51. 1997 World Champion Les Gutches (Corvallis, Ore./Sunkist Kids), leading 8-0 at the time, scored an injury default over Justin Abdou in 1:48 at 187.25 pounds. J.J. McGrew (Stillwater, Okla./Sunkist Kids) followed with a 4-0 win over Dean Schmeichel at 213.75 pounds.

Kerry McCoy (State College, Pa./New York AC) won the final match, a 7-1 decision over Wayne Weathers.

The USA had a 3-0 record and Canada a 0-3 record after the match.

United States 29, Canada 3

54 kg/119 lbs. - Sammie Henson, Norman, Okla..won by tech. fall over Paul Ragusa, Canada, 11-0, 2:54

58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Tony Purler, Clarion, Pa. won by tech. fall over Dennis Pagliniwan, Canada, 12-0, 4:08

63 kg/138.8 75 lbs. - Kerry Boumans, Colorado Springs, Colo., dec. Jeremy Podlog, Canada, 9-2

69 kg/152 lbs. - Lincoln McIlravy, Iowa City, Iowa dec. Daniel Igali Canada, 3-2, ot, 6:41

76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Steve Marianetti, Urbana, Ill., pin George Orbi, Canada, 5:51

85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Les Gutches, Corvallis, Ore., won by inj. dft. over Justin Abdou, Canada, 1:48

97 kg/213.75 lbs. - J.J. McGrew, Stillwater, Okla., dec. Dean Schmeichel, Canada, 4-0

130 kg/286 lbs. - Kerry McCoy, State College, Pa. dec. Wayne Weathers, Canada, 7-1

Iran stops Cuba, 22-7, to set up showdown with the USA

Iran won its third straight match with a 22-7 win over Cuba, at the Avista Corp. XXVII World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling wat the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash., April 3. Iran will battle the United States for the team title on Saturday evening.

Iran won a key match to open the meet, when three-time World medalist Gholam Reza Mohammadi pinned 1997 World Champion Wilfredo Garcia in 4:26.At 128.75 pounds, 1998 World Champion Ali Reza Dabier followed with a 5-0 win over Yoel Garcia.

Mehdi Baraati of Iran scored in the closing seconds for a 3-2 win over Carlos Ortiz at 138.75 pounds. At 152 pounds, Amir Tavakolian defeated Yosvany Sanchez, 3-2 in overtime. Pejman Dorostkar followed with a 3-0 win over Walter Torrientes at 167.5 pounds.

The 187.25 pound match ended in a double disqualification, as neither Yoel Romero of Cuba or Ferydon Ghanbari of Iran scored a point in the six-minute regulation, and under new rules, were both eliminated. 1998 World Champion Ali Reza Heidari of Iran responded with a 2:35 pin over Wilfredo Morales.

Cuba's 1998 World Champion Alexis Rodriguez closed the dual with a 5:27 pin over Ebrahim Mehraban.

Iran had a 3-0 record and Cuba a 1-2 record at the conclusion of the match.

Iran 22, Cuba 7

54 kg/119 lbs. - Gholam Reza Mohammadi, Iran, pin Wilfredo Garcia, Cuba, 4:26

58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Ali Reza Dabier, Iran, dec. Yoel Garcia, Cuba, 5-0

63 kg/138.8 75 lbs. - Mehdi Baraati, Iran, dec. Carlos Ortiz, Cuba, 3-2

69 kg/152 lbs. - Amir Tavakolian, Iran, dec. Yosvany Sanchez, Cuba, 3-2, ot, 6:55

76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Pejman Dorostkar, Iran, dec. Walter Torrientes, Cuba, 3-0

85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Ferydon Ghanbari, Iran and Yoel Romero, Cuba, double disqualification at 6:00

97 kg/213.75 lbs. - Ali Reza Heidari, Iran pin Wilfredo Morales, Cuba, 2:35

130 kg/286 lbs. - Alexis Rodriguez, Cuba, pin Ebrahim Mehraban, Iran, 5:27

Germany defeats Canada, 27-6, for its first World Cup win

Germany scored a 27-6 victory over Canada in the third session of the Avista Corp. XXVII World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, April 3.

Germany won the first three weight classes, with victories by Vasili Zeiher at 119 pounds, Othmar Kuhner at 127.75 pounds and Jurgen Scheibe at 138.75 pounds.

Canada's lone victory came at 152 pounds, where Daniel Igali scored a 10-0 technical fall over Jens Gundling.

Germany won the final four matches, with wins from Alexander Leipold at 167.5 pounds, Hans Gstottner at 187.25 pounds, Heiko Balz at 213.75 pounds and Sven Thiele at 286 pounds. Gstottner and Balz scored pins.

Germany climbed to a 1-2 record in the World Cup, while Canada fell to 0-4.

Germany 27, Canada 6

54 kg/119 lbs. - Vasili Zeiher, Germany, dec. Paul Ragusa, Canada, 4-0

58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Othmar Kuhner, Germany, pin Dennis Pagliniwan, Canada, 4:33

63 kg/138.8 75 lbs. - Jurgen Scheibe, Germany, dec. Jeremy Podlog, Canada, 10-2

69 kg/152 lbs. - Daniel Igali, Canada won by tech. fall over Jens Gundling, Germany, 10-0, 3:09

76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Alexander Leipold, Germany, dec. Nick Ugoalah Canada, 4-0

85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Hans Gstottner, Germany, pin George Orbi, Canada, 2:11

97 kg/213.75 lbs. - Heiko Balz, Germany, pin Dean Schmeichel, Canada, 1:36

130 kg/286 lbs. - Sven Thiele, Germany, dec. Wayne Weathers, Canada, 7-1