World champion and Olympic medalist Sissaouri to lead Canada’s team at the Northern Quest 2002 World

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/27/2002


North American power Canada has announced its lineup for the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling, set for April 6-7 at the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Wash.      Leading the effort for Team Canada will be 2001 World Champion Giuvi Sissaouri, who will compete at  60 kg/132 lbs. Sissaouri is one of the greatest wrestlers in Canadian history.      Sissaouri won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga., and also competed for Canada at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. He also won a silver medal at the 1995 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 1997 World Championships. In 1993, Sissaouri won a silver medal in the World Cup, held in Chattanooga, Tenn.     Also on the Canadian team is 2000 Olympian Dean Schmeichel at 97 kg/211.5 lbs. Schmeichel won a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games, held in Winnipeg, Canada. He was also won bronze medals at the 2000 and 2002 Pan American Championships. Schmeichel has twice placed fifth at the Freestyle World Cup.     Another top star on the Canadian team is Nick Ugoalah at 84 kg/185 lbs. Ugoalah competed for Canada at 76 kg at the 2001 World Championships, losing a close first-round match to U.S. star Joe Williams. He also competed in the 1997 and 1999 World Championships. Ugoalah won a bronze medal at the recent 2002 Pan American Championships. He was fifth in the 1999 Freestyle World Cup.     One of Canada's top college stars, Neil Ewers, will compete at 66 kg/145.5 lbs.  Representing Simon Fraser Univ., Ewers was a NAIA National champion in 2001 and placed second in the 2002 NAIA Nationals. He was a four-time NAIA all-American. Ewers also has a number of age-group national honors in Canada.     Other members of the Canadian team are Mikheil Japaridze at 55 kg/121 lbs.,  Zoltan Hunyady at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Eric Kirshner at 120 kg/264.5 lbs.      Japaridze competed on the 2001 Canadian World Championships team. He was third in the 2000 Pan American Championships, and is a two-time Canada Cup champion.     Hunyady has medalled numerous times in the Canadian National Championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. He was a 2001 Canada Cup champion and was fourth in the 1995 Pan American Games in Greco-Roman.     Kirshner was also a 2001 Canada Cup champion, and was a silver medalist in the 2000 Canadian Nationals.     Canada is one of five international wrestling powers competing at the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling. Other nations include the United States, Russia, Germany and Korea.     The Quad State Cup, a USA Wrestling event for athletes from Kids through Open, will be held alongside the World Cup. Young wrestlers can do both - wrestle and watch! For information, contact Craig Hanson at (509)226-0765 or Dale Imes at (509)226-3715.     FanFest will be the activity and hospitality gathering area just for fans at the Northern Quest 2002 World Cup of Wrestling. Meet with your friends before and between sessions. This will be a place to gather autographs, get souvenirs and see the latest in equipment and innovations in wrestling. It will be free and tons of fun!! Join the festivities at the SeasonTicket directly north of the Arena.     Single session tickets are now on sale and range in price from $13-26. Call 1-800-325-SEAT or go to the web site at www.ticketswest.com. An all session adult pass is $69 while an all-session youth pass is $59. Groups of 10 or more receive a $4 discount per ticket. USA Wrestling members, Military Personnel and Seniors 55 and older receive a $2 discount per ticket. No multiple combination of discounts will be accepted.      The headquarters hotel is the Doubletree Spokane City Center. Call 509-455-9600 and ask for the World Cup rate.     For additional information, contact Star USA at 509-448-6829.    CANADA  55 kg/121 lbs. - Mikheil Japaridze  60 kg/132 lbs. - Giuvi Sissaouri  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Neil Ewers  74 kg/163 lbs. - Zoltan Hunyady  84 kg/185 lbs. - Nick Ugoalah  97 kg/211.5 lbs. - Dean Schmeichel  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Eric Kirshner