The World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling on ESPN2 TODAY, Tuesday, June 19 at 3:00 p.m. EDT; Watch or set

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
06/19/2001


The World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling, originally held in Baltimore, Md., will air TODAY on ESPN2 (Tuesday, June 19th) at 3:00 p.m. EDT.    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.    The show is one-hour in length. The final dual meet of the competition, between the United States and Russia, will be telecast. This match determined the final team placements in the tournament, and also was a determining factor in the individual medal race.    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.    Competing for the United States in this dual meet competition were:  119 - Teague Moore (Pittsburgh, Pa./Sunkist Kids)  127.75 - Kerry Boumans (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC)   138.75 - Cary Kolat (Morgantown, W. Va./Dave Schultz WC)  152 - Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)   167.5 - Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids)   187.25 - Charles Burton (Bloomington, Ind./NYAC)  213.75 - Dominic Black (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army)  286 - Kerry McCoy (Bethlehem, Pa./NYAC)    Among the stars on the Russian team were Alexandre Kontoev at 119 pounds, Murat Ramazanov at 127.75 pounds and Miron Dzadzaev at 138.75 pounds.    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.    The ratings from the 2001 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.