New Russian lineup to enter 2003 World Cup Championships
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Janessa Pierce (USA Wrestling)
04/01/2003
USA Wrestling received news Tuesday that Russia has changed its lineup for the 2003 World Cup Wrestling Championships, to take place in Boise, Idaho, April 5-6. This new lineup includes six of the men on the original roster with the addition of four others. Zelimkhan Gousseinov is slated to step in for Prokopy Petrov at 60 kg/132 lbs. Khadshimurad Magomedov will be competing at 84 kg/185 lbs. instead of Sajid Sajidov. Other roster additions include Irbek Farniev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Oleg Kallagov at 96 kg/211.25 lbs. Gousseinov holds a 1999 Junior European title and also competed in the European Championships that year. Magomedov is a 1996 Olympic gold medalist and 2001 World Champion. He won a silver medal in the 1999 World Championships and took fourth place at the 1997 and 1998 World Championships. Farniev is a 2002 World Cup silver medalist and represented Russia in the 2001 World Championships. Kallagov holds a 2000 Junior World title and two Junior European Championships (1999 and 2000). Russia's World Cup lineup still features World medalists Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov at 120 kg/264.5 lbs., Zaur Botaev at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Alexander Kontoev at 55 kg/121 lbs. These elite wrestlers will lead the powerful Russian team at this year's World Cup event. Russia is among five world wrestling powers competing in this annual international dual meet championship, along with host United States, Cuba, Ukraine and Germany. 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. Zelimkhan Gousseinov 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Zaur Botaev 66 kg/145.5. lbs. Irbek Farniev 74 kg/163 lbs. Inal Dzagourov 84 kg/185 lbs. Khadshimurad Gatsalov 84 kg/185 lbs. Khadshimurad Magomedov 96 kg/211.25 lbs. Oleg Kallagov 96 kg/211.25 lbs. Zainudin Ibragimov 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Kouramagomed Kouramagomedov Click here for Russia World Cup team biographies.