CAWA web page - Sissaouri wins World Championships
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Canadian Amateur Wrestling Association ()
11/25/2001
With a spectacular three point throw in overtime, Guivi Sissaouri (Montreal) won the 2001 World Wrestling Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria today. In the Final match, against Mongolian wrestler, Oyunbileg Purevbaatar, the score was tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time. As per the new rules, the wrestlers were put in the "clinch position", where both wrestlers have their arms looked around their opponents torso and one arm. When the whistle blew the Mongolian wrestler pressed. Using his opponent's momentum, Guivi planted his feet and threw the Mongolian wrestler on to his back to win the match. On the road to the Final, Guivi beat Eric Guerrero (USA), 8-3, Aly Abou Talep (Egypt), 11-0, Vasil Fedorishin (Ukraine), 7-5, and Anatoliy Guidia (Bulgaria), 4-0. Comments: Guivi had the following comments after winning the Gold medal. "I am happy. I can't believe it... its finally happened. Its like a dream. Finally... I promised I would do it and I did it." Head Men's Coach Dave McKay, "It was a great day for Guivi and Canada Wrestling. Guivi finally won the championship he deserved for many years. After so many close calls, we saw an outstanding wrestler come through with a championship performance" Assistant Men's Coach, Marty Calder, was the first to run out on the mat and greet Guivi and told him that, "you are the best in the World and just proved it to everybody." 2000 Olympic Champion Daniel Igali told Guivi that, "I am so happy you finally got it." Guivi responded that, "Next year we will both win." Christine Nordhagen, who won her 6th World Championship yesterday said that, "this is great for Guivi, and great for Canada. I look forward to seeing him receive his World Championship belt". In the final day of competition, Canadian 51 kg. wrestler, Lyndsay Belisle (Burnaby) placed 4th at the World Championships in the 51 kg. division. She lost a close match in the Semi-finals against Stephanie Murata, 4-1 and was leading the Bronze medal match 1-0 when she got put on her back and pinned against Chinese wrestler, Gao Yanzhi. As the World Championships concluded today in Sofia with Canada wining three medals Wrestling Canada National Program Director, Mike Payette provided the following summary: "I was very proud of all of our wrestlers and how they came to Bulgaria to perform at the highest level possible. The Canadian team wrestled hard in each and every match and showed that we can compete with any nation in the World."