The World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling to air on ESPN2, Tuesday, June 19 at 3:00 p.m. EDT

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/14/2001


The World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, originally held in Baltimore, Md., will air on ESPN2 on Tuesday, June 19th at 3:00 p.m. EDT.    The show is one-hour in length, and will include the final-round dual meet from the competition featuring the United States team.    The World Cup is the annual international world dual meet championship event. Top international nations Russia, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan and host United States participated in the competition held Saturday May 5 and Sunday May 6 at the Baltimore Arena.    The event was a series of dual meets between the nations, with team standings determined based upon the dual meet results. In addition, individual medals were awarded, based upon the competition between the athletes in each weight class.     Calling the action for the broadcast is veteran play-by-play announcer Larry Nugent, along with 1984 Olympic Champion Jeff Blatnick, as well as former National Freestyle Coach and current U.S. Naval Academy head coach Bruce Burnett.    Wrestling fans are reminded that ESPN has challenged the wrestling community and the general public to prove its support of amateur wrestling by viewing the wrestling shows that are aired this year.    ESPN has indicated to USA Wrestling that the ratings results from the 2001 U.S. National Wrestling Championships and the 2001 World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling will be reviewed to determine programming plans on ESPN and ESPN2 for the 2001 World Championships in New York City.    The ratings from the U.S. Nationals broadcast was almost double from the previous year. USA Wrestling is encouraging all wrestling fans to also remember to watch the World Cup broadcast and help increase its ratings as well.    This is a perfect opportunity for wrestlers, coaches, fans and supporters to make a difference in helping promote wrestling.     IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WRESTLING FANS WATCH THESE TWO BROADCASTS, OR SET THEIR VCR TO TAPE THESE TWO BROADCASTS. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT WAY THAT THE WRESTLING COMMUNITY CAN VOICE THE DESIRE TO SEE MORE WRESTLING ON TELEVISION.    NOTE: Please email this message to anybody and everybody who supports wrestling on your email lists.