Justin Ruiz (Salt Lake City, Utah/Elite) remains in contention for a bronze medal after the first day of competition at the 1997 Junior World Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships in Turku, Finland, August 13. 
 The Junior World Championships feature the best wrestlers in the world between 17-20 years of age. 
 Ruiz, who claimed a double title at the 1997 Junior Nationals at 191.5 pounds, registered a 1-1 record including a bye on the first day of the World Championships. In the first round he lost a 5-0 decision to Vladimir Bakhtov of Russia. After receiving a bye in the second round, he scored a 4-1 decision over Constantin Radu of Romania to stay in the medal hunt in the 90 kg/198 lb. division. Ruiz will face Mirko Englich of Germany in his next match. 
 Three wrestlers from the first group of athletes were eliminated on Wednesday, Darnell Lollis (Harvey, Ill./Twisters) at 56 kg/123.25 lbs., Luis Blanco, (San Bernadino, Calif./Cyclone) at 65 kg/143 lbs. and Tom Ciezki, (Evergreen Park, Ill./Wildcat WC) at 76 kg/167.25 lbs. 
 Lollis who was also a Cadet World Team member, lost by tech. fall to Erkan Dundar of Turkey in the first round, 10-0 in 2:36. In the second round Lollis withdrew from the tournament due to an injury. 
 Blanco, who attends Iowa State Univ., finished with a 1-2 record. In the first round he lost a 4-1 overtime decision to Czewiertnia Pavel of the Czech. Republic. In the second round he easily disposed of Armanco Zamudio Sanch of Mexico with a 10-0 technical fall in just 27 seconds. In the third round he lost by technical fall to Yudelmis Rivera of Cuba, 13-0 in 4:08. 
 Ciezki, who attends Northwestern Univ., was eliminated after dropping two decisions. In the first round he lost to Tziolas Georgios of Greece in a 3-0 overtime decision at 7:18. In the second round he lost a 6-4 decision to Takuya Nagaoka of Japan. 
 The five other members of the U.S. Junior World Team all weighed in on Wednesday and will begin competition on Thursday. They include Brady Jones (Salt Lake City, Utah/Sundance) at 52 kg/114.5 lbs., Lance Weber, (Des Plaines, Ill./Wildcat WC) at 60 kg/132 lbs., Cory Posey, ,(Westfield, N.J./NYAC) at 70 kg/154 lbs., Brad Vering, (Howells, Neb./Husker WC) at 83 kg/182.5 lbs. and Dave Clymer, (Hastings, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 115 kg/253 lbs. 
 The athletes qualified for the World Team by winning the 1997 Espoir Nationals at Purdue University, May 16-17. 
 The head coach of the Junior Greco-Roman World Team is Tony Thomas (Columbus, Ga.) and the assistant coach is Vern Zellner  (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.). Thomas is the former head coach of the All-Army wrestling team. 
 Complete results of this tournament can be located on the internet at http://www.weppi.fi/jwc97/wrestling/index.htm 
 1997 FILA JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 
 at Turku, Finland, Aug. 13, 1997 
 U.S. results - Group One 
 56 kg/123.25 lbs. - Darnell Lollis, Harvey, Ill. - lost by tech. fall to Erkan Dundar (Turkey), 10-0, 2:36; withdrew from competition due to injury 
 65 kg/143 lbs. - Luis Blanco, San Bernadino, Calif. - lost dec. to Czewiertnia Pavel (Czech. Republic), 4-1, ot, 7:01; tech. fall over Armanco Zamudio Sanch (Mexico), 10-0, 0:27; lost by tech. fall to Yudelmis Rivera (Cuba), 13-0, 4:08 
 76 kg/167.25 lbs. - Tom Ciezki, Evergreen Park, Ill. - lost dec. to Tziolas Georgios (Greece), 3-0, ot, 7:18; lost dec. to Takuya Nagaoka (Japan), 6-4 
 90 kg/198 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Salt Lake City, Utah - lost dec. to Vladimir Bakhtov (Russia), 5-0; dec. Constantin Radu (Romania), 4-1 
 Thursday Pairings for Group One 
 90 kg/198 lbs. - Justin Ruiz, Salt Lake City, Utah vs. Mirko Englich (Germany) 
 Thursday Pairings for Group Two 
 52 kg/114.5 lbs. - Brady Jones, Salt Lake City, Utah vs. Vasile Nicoliei (Romania) 
 60 kg/132 lbs. - Lance Weber, Des Plaines, Ill. vs. Gurbinder Singh (India) 
 70 kg/154 lbs. - Cory Posey, Westfield, N.J. vs. Javier Flor (Spain) 
 83 kg/182.5 lbs. - Brad Vering, Howells, Neb. vs. David Millien (France) 
 115 kg/253 lbs. - Dave Clymer, Hastings, Minn. vs. David Soldadze (Ukraine)