USA vs. Belarus Freestyle Wrestling World Dual Meet set for tonight at Koehler Fieldhouse at East St
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Jaimie McNab (USA Wrestling)
02/12/2002
Belarus, one of the top international freestyle wrestling nations in the world, will field a strong team of world-class athletes in East Stroudsberg, Pa. at the USA vs. Belarus World Dual meet. The meet will be held at East Stroudsburg University Koehler Fieldhouse on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. The Belarus national team will battle an all-star team from the United States in this freestyle wrestling dual meet. The U.S. team will be announced when it is completed. The top star on the Belarus team is 2001 World Champion Herman Kontoev, who competes at 119 pounds. Kontoev also placed fourth at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Another top international star on the team is Sergei Demtchenko, who competes at 152 pounds. Demtchenko earned an impressive fourth place at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Alexander Guzov, is another top veteran who wrestles at 127.75 pounds. Guzov was eighth in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, and was seventh in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga. Three other members of the Belarus team were also competitors in the 2000 Olympic Games: Nikolai Savin at 138.75 pounds, Beibulat Musaev at 187.25 pounds and Alexander Shemarov at 213.75 pounds. Shemarov placed seventh in the Olympic Games at his weight, and Musaev placed ninth in the Olympics at his division. Savin did not place in the top 10 at his weight class. Two of the team members have won medals at major age-group World competitions. Alexander Karnitzki, a 127.75-pounder, was a 2000 World University champion. Mourad Gaidarov, who competes at 167.5 pounds, was third in the 2000 Junior World Championships. The other Belarus team members are Sergei Borchenko at 187.25 pounds and Boris Grinkevich at 286 pounds. Belarus placed 11th in the 2001 World Championships, and was fifth in the unofficial team standings at the 2000 Olympic Games. World Dual meets are among the most popular events hosted by USA Wrestling. The USA faces a top international team in a dual meet format. This event provides fans an opportunity to cheer for Team USA and witness top international Olympic wrestling. Tickets will cost $10 for adults, $5 for students and children and $15 for limited chairback seating. For more information about this dual or ticket information, contact Angelo Borzio at (570) 422-3313. Belarus National Team lineup 54 kg/119 lbs. - Herman Kontoev 58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Alexander Guzov 58 kg/127.75 lbs. - Alexander Karnitzki 63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Nikolai Savin 69 kg/149.5 lbs. - Sergei Demtchenko 76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Mourad Gaidarov 85 kg/187.25 lbs. - Beibulat Musaev 85 kg/187.25 lbs.- Sergei Borchenko 97 kg/213.75 lbs. - Alexander Shemarov 130 kg/286 lbs.- Boris Grinkevich