Led by three World medalists, Russia to enter strong team at 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship

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Janessa Pierce (USA Wrestling)
03/26/2003


Led by two-time World medalist Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., Russia will feature a powerful lineup at the 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship, set for the Bank of America Centre in Boise, Idaho, April 5-6.    Russia is among five world wrestling powers competing in this annual international dual meet championships, along with host United States, Cuba, Ukraine and Germany.    Kouramagomedov was the 1997 World Champion and won a bronze medal at the 1998 World Championships. He also captured silver medals at the 1998 and 2000 World Cup Championships and a gold at the 1996 World Cup.     Other star athletes in the Russian lineup include World medalists Zaur Botaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Alexander Kontoev at 55 kg/121 lbs., along with World Cup champion Khadjimourat Gatsalov also at 84 kg/185 lbs.    Botaev was the 2002 European Champion and took third in the World Championships that year. He also holds a 1998 Junior World title and a 1994 Cadet World title.    Kontoev won bronze medals at both the 2001 World Championships and the 2001 World Cup. He also boasts a 2000 Junior World championship.     Gatsalov was the 2002 World Cup Champion as well as a 2001 Junior World Champion.    Four other athletes round out Russia's World Cup roster. They include Prokopy Petrov at 60 kg/132 lbs., Inal Dzagourov at 74 kg/163 lbs., Sazhid Sazhidov at 84 kg/185 lbs. and Zaiudin Ibragimov at 96 kg/211.25 lbs.     Petrov was a competitor in the 2003 Titan Games as well as the 2002 World Championships.    Dzagourov captured the gold medal at the 2001 World Military Championships.    Sazhidov was the 2001 and 2002 European Champion and took fourth place at the 2000 World Cup. He was Junior World Champion in 1998 and 2000 and Cadet World Champion in 1995.    Ibragimov was third in the 1998 Cadet World Youth Games.    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.    The weekend will begin with a major youth wrestling competition, the World Cup Kids Open, set for Friday, April 4. Young wrestlers will be able compete in the tournament, then watch the world's best athletes at the World Cup. Medals from the World Cup Kids Open will be presented during the World Cup of Freestyle Wrestling. Participants must be USA Wrestling members. For information on the youth tournament, contact R.J. Scott by phone at (208) 587-9720 or via e-mail at rjscott64@cs.com.    Fans will find the best combined competition / hotel facility in the US.  The Luxurious Grove Hotel is attached to The Bank of America Centre. Stay at a Four Diamond hotel, take the elevator to the lobby, and walk into the Bank of America Centre without ever going outside. Stay where the teams stay, the Grove Hotel for only $95 per night double occupancy, or groups of 10 or more $84 per night quad occupancy. Call 208-333-8000 and ask reservations for the World Cup rate.    2003 World Cup Wrestling Championship Russia Team  55 kg/121 lbs. Alexander Kontoev  60 kg/132 lbs. Prokopy Petrov  66 kg/145.5 lbs. Zaur Botaev  74 kg/163 lbs. Inal Dzagourov  84 kg/185 lbs. Khadjimourat Gatsalov  84 kg/185 lbs. Sazhid Sazhidov  96 kg/211.25 lbs. Zaiudin Ibragimov  120 kg/264.5 lbs. Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov