Dominating this weight class in recent seasons has been Saghid Mourtasaliyev  of Russia, who won both the 1999 World Championships and 2000 Olympics. His toughest match in Sydney may have been in the pool competition, when he defeated American veteran Melvin Douglas in an overtime battle.    Whoever Russia brings will be a top favorite to claim the gold. Also on the Russian list of potential participants is 1997 World Champion Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov, 2001 European silver medalist Gueorgui Gogchelidze or Vadim Zavrazhnov. Russia has traditionally been very strong in the upper weight classes, and this year should be no exception.    Mourtasaliyev defeated Islam Bairamukov of Kazakhstan in the gold-medal match in Sydney. Baraimukov has experience and skill, and seeks his first major title.    Claiming the bronze medal at the 2000 Olympics was veteran Eldar Kurtanidze of Georgia, who also won the Olympic bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Kurtanidze claimed the 2001 European Championships title. He is a tremendously strong athlete but is short for this weight division.    Placing sixth in Sydney was Ali Reza Heidari of Iran, a 1998 World champion and 1999 World silver medalist.  Heidari has the ability and experience to win this weight class again, and may be motivated after placing out of the medals at the 2000 Olympics. He has looked strong  this season, winning titles at the World Cup and the Asian Championships.    Aftandil Zanthopoulos of Greece, Aleksandr Shemarov of Belarus and George Torchinava of Netherlands were among the high placewinners at the 2000 Olympic Games. All are on the entry list for New York, and will be looking to challenge for medals. Shemarov was third at the 2001 European Championships, a strong indication that he will be among the top stars at the World meet.    Competing for the United States is Dominic Black, who wrestled in the 1999 World Championships but did not place. Black has paid his dues on the international level, and is poised for a big break through this time around. He was injured in the 2000 Olympic Trials finals against Melvin Douglas, and immediately established himself as the top American at this weight class this year.    Poland's Marek Garmulewicz, who was fourth in Sydney, has moved up to 130 kg, meaning Poland will be represented by unheralded  Maksymilian Witek or Bartolomiej Bartnicki.  Uzbekistan lists 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Magomed Ibragimov at this weight class, but he is also on Macedonia's roster at 85 kg.    Mongolia's Ganzorig Gankhuyag won a silver medal at the 2001 Asian Championships. Bulgaria's Krassomir Kotchev was the 2001 European bronze medalist. Veteran Wilfredo Morales of Cuba was the 2001 Pan American Championships gold medalist, but could be replaced by a talented and younger star, Miguel Molina.     Ukraine's Vadim Tasoev has been impressive in past international events, and Switzerland's Rolf Scherrer placed in the top 10 at the Sydney Olympics. Turkey has traditionally been strong in this weight division, and has submitted three possible entries who have yet to distinguish themselves at this level:  Fatih Cakiroglu, Taskin Ozale or Kasif Sakiroglu. Canada's Dean Schmeichel, Hungary's Zoltan Farkas and Nigeria's Victor Kodei have the ability to move through the pool competition under the right circumstances.    The top three placewinners at the Syndey Olympics were from the former Soviet republics, and this possibility exists again this year. Iran's Heidari has plans to return to past glory, and U.S. fans are hopeful that Black has made the necessary progress to be a medalist on his home mats.    FREESTYLE 97 kg/213.75 lbs.  (32 athletes as of 9/10)  Bangladesh - Mizanur Rahman  Belarus - Aleksandr Shemarov or Baris Hrinkevich  Brazil - Antoine Jaoude  Bulgaria - Krasamir Kotchev or Dimitar Kumchev  Canada - Dean Schmeichel  China - Wang Yuanyuan  Colombia - Arnulfo Hernandez  Cuba - Wilfredo Morales or Miguel Molina  Estonia - Neeme Jaanson  Georgia - Eldar Kurtanidze  Germany - Mesult Oklu or Thomas Tonn  Greece - Aftandil Xanthopoulos  Hungary - Zoltan Farkas  India - Shamsher Singh  Iran - Ali Reza Heydari or M. Hossein Khaleghifar  Japan - Kiuotaka Kodaira  Kazakhstan - Islam Baramukov  Korea - Kang Dong-Guk  Latvia - Janovics Jurijs  Mongolia - Ganzorig Gankhuyag  Netherlands- George Torchinava  Niger - Idi Mahamadou  Nigeria - Agada Patric or Victor Kodei  Palau  - John Tarkong, Jr.  Poland - Maksymilian Witek or Bartolomiej Bartnicki  Russia - Saguid Mourtasaliyev, Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov, Gueorgui Gogchelidze, Vadim Zavrazhnov  Switzerland - Rolf Scherrer  Turkey - Fatih Cakiroglu, Taskin Ozale or Kasif Sakiroglu  Ukraine - Vadim Tasoev or Maksim Kerzshkovskiy  United States - Dominic Black  Uzbekistan - Magomed Ibragimov     Starting on September 4th, TheMat.com will publish a preview each day for an individual weight class that will be contested at the 2001 World Championships of Wrestling. All 22 weight classes that will be contested in New York City will be featured, concluding on Tuesday, September 25, the day of weigh-ins for the tournament. Visit TheMat.com daily for detailed coverage leading up to wrestling's most important event this year!!!