Georgia withdraws from 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/14/2003


USA Wrestling has been notified by the national wrestling federation of Georgia that its freestyle wrestling team will not participate in the 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship, set for the Bank of America Centre in Boise, Idaho, April 5-6.    The reason for the withdrawal from the event, according to Omzar Shoshitaishvili, the General Secretary of the Georgian Wrestling Federation, is an outbreak of flu in the nation. Shoshitaishvili expressed sincere regret that Georgia could not participate in this major international event.    "It was quite a big dream for the Georgian wrestlers to participate in such a prestigious competition on behalf of our independent country," wrote Shoshitaishvili.    With the withdrawal of Georgia, the World Cup Wrestling Championship will still feature five major international wrestling powers: Russia, Cuba, Ukraine, Germany and host United States.     Organizers will not replace the Georgian team due to the late date of the withdrawal, and will readjust the competition schedule to accommodate five teams instead of six.     The times for the four sessions of competition will not be changed. The matchups during each session have been adjusted.    The late withdrawal of a team from the World Cup competition has occurred in the past, including the 1993 World Cup in Chattanooga, Tenn. and the 1999 World Cup in Spokane, Wash. Both events ultimately were very successful and featured tremendous world-class competition.    "It is disappointing that Georgia will not be able to attend," said USA Wrestling National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "They have great wrestlers and a strong tradition. I still believe that we will have great teams at the event. It will remain one of the toughest competitions in the world. With Russia, Cuba, Ukraine and Germany, there will be many outstanding matchups between World medalists. It will still be a major challenge for our team, and our athletes will have to be ready for it."    The United States team will feature all seven No. 1 ranked wrestlers in the nation, led by 2000 Olympian Kerry McCoy and 2001 World bronze medalist Joe Williams. The rosters for the other four nations will be announced beginning next week.    Individual session tickets are on sale for the 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship. Tickets can be purchased at all Select-A-Seat locations, by phone at 208-331-TIXS, or on the internet at www.idahotickets.com. For more information go to www.worldcupwrestling.com.    There will be four sessions of action, featuring the best international freestyle wrestling teams in the world. For Sessions I and III, the session prices are $16 for adults and $13 for youth (2-18 years). For Session II, which includes Opening Ceremonies, the session prices are $19 for adults and $16 for youth. For  Session IV, which includes the final bouts and the Closing Ceremonies, the session prices are $26 for adults and $24 for youth.    WORLD CUP WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS REVISED SCHEDULE  at Bank of American Centre, Boise, Idaho, April 5-6    Saturday, April 5  Session One   USA vs. Germany/Cuba vs. Ukraine  Ukraine vs. Russia    Session Two  USA vs. Cuba/Germany vs. Russia  Germany vs. Ukraine    Sunday, April 6  Session Three  USA vs. Ukraine/Cuba vs. Russia    Session Four   Cuba vs. Germany  USA vs. Russia