BONO, DOUGLAS, THOMPSON TO COMPETE IN THE CUP OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF UZBEKISTAN, MAY 22-24 
  
 Three U.S. freestyle wrestlers have been invited to parcitipate in the 1998 Cup of the Independence of Uzbekistan, which will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 22-24. 
   
 The competition will feature wrestlers from around the world. There is a reported $100,000 in prize money available in the freestyle division, and $50,000 in prize money for the Greco-Roman division. 
   
 Two 1998 U.S. Nationals championships will participate in the tournament, Melvin Douglas (Mesa, Ariz./Sunkist Kids) at 213.75 pounds and Tolly Thompson (Lincoln, Neb./Sunkist Kids) at 286 pounds. 
   
 Douglas was a 1993 World Champion, and has won four World Championship medals in his career. He was a member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, placing seventh at 198 pounds. 
   
 Thompson won his first U.S. Nationals title in April, when he pinned defending national champion Tom Erikson in the finals. Thompson won the 1998 Pan American Championships, and was second in the 1997 Freestyle World Team Trials. 
   
 Also participating in the tournament will be three-time University Nationals freestyle champion Chris Bono (Ames, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 152 pounds. 
   
 Bono was won a number in freestyle tournaments this season, including the Sunkist Kids International Open in Phoenix, Ariz., and the Cerro Pelado Tournament in Cuba. 
   
 The team leader for the U.S. delegation will be Paul Kieblesz of New York, N.Y. 
  
 CUP OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF UZBEKISTAN at Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 22-24 
  
 U.S. Lineup 
  
 69 kg/152 lbs. - Chris Bono, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) 
  
 97 kg/213.75 lbs. - Melvin Douglas, Mesa, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) 
  
 130 kg/286 lbs. - Tolly Thompson, Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Kids)