In men's freestyle wrestling, there is truly a "Big Three" nations, at least over the last decade or more. Russia continues the dominance established by the former Soviet Union, but can no longer win on an annual basis. The United States, led by a group of veteran stars, were the world's best freestyle team in the mid 1990's and continues to be a title threat every year. Iran has won two World Team titles when hosting the event in their nation, and can be expected to challenge among the top few teams every season.    The reduction of weight classes makes winning a World team title a bigger challenge, as the "Big Three" was always able to outlast the other nations with their tremendous depth. These days, any nation can have their team title hopes dashed early in a tournament, if their athletes are defeated in the pool competition. A couple of early upsets can quickly bring a team down to the rest of the field when there are only seven chances to go for medals.    Iran enters the competition as the defending World Team champions, taking the team honors last year on its home mats in Tehran, edging Russia by just one point. Ironically, Iran did not have a very good gold-medal finals round last year, with just one of their three finalists, Mehdi Hajizadeh Joybari winning the gold at 74 kg. Hajizadeh is not even on the Iran roster this year, losing to Hadi Habibi back in Iran.    The two silver medalists from last year are past champions and expected to be right in the hunt again: Ali Reza Dabir at 66 kg and Ali Reza Heidari at 96 kg. Dabir is always in the medal rounds, a true big-event wrestler who has his best stuff when it counts. Heidari is less consistent, and did not medal at the Sydney Games. Iran has another past World Champion on the team, Mohammed Talaei at 60 kg. The ability of Iran to defend may land on the athletes in the other weight class, like exciting 55 kg Mohammed Aslani and unheralded 84 kg Majid Khodaie. The heavyweight class has been a challenge, with Ali Reza Rezsei still looking to break into the elite of his division. On paper, Iran looks strong, and add the large crowd of Iranian fans and you can expect a strong performance.    ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN  55 kg/121 lbs. - Mohammed Aslani  60 kg/132 lbs. - Mohammed Talaei  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Ali Reza Dabir  74 kg/163 lbs. - Hadi Habibi  84 kg/185 lbs. - Majid Khodaie  96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Ali Reza Heidari  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Ali Reza Rezaei    Russia is motivated to reclaim the team title after Iran barely beat them last year. The problem with predicting the Russian performance is that they rarely ever tell you who they are entering. At almost every international event, they list multiple choices and actually bring the extra athletes with them. The tremendous depth in the Russian system means they are always strong, regardless of who is the final choice. Russia was the dominant team at the 2000 Olympic Games, with four gold medals and five medalists. They also won World team titles in 1997, 1999 and 2001.    One of the joys of the internet is the sharing of information, and with TheMat.com bulletin boards active, we are able to get a glimpse of what actually is going on within Russian wrestling. The first question always asked is if both or either of the Saitiev brothers will be competing this year. Buvaisa, a 1996 Olympic champion and multiple World champion, is a star at 74 kg, while Adam, a 2000 Olympic champion and multiple World champion, competes at 84 kg. Both have active, flowing styles of wrestling, and are exciting to watch. Last year, it was Adam who competed and won the World title, while Buvaisa stayed home and his replacement, Magomed Isagadzhiev, won a silver medal. This year, it looks as if Buvaisa will compete, and Adam may stay home. Reportedly, Adam lost to Sajid Sajidov in Russia this year, and it will be Sajidov who will seek to keep the 84 kg title in Russia.    The other superstar for Russia is David Mussulbes at 120 kg, winner of the last three gold medals (2000 Olympic, 2001-02 World). All information points to the possibility that 1987 World champion Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov will the at this weight at the Worlds in New York. We say Kuramagomedov at the World Cup this year, and he has the ability to win the World gold. Russia has been a bit down at the lighter divisions in recent years, especially at the lightest weight class, 55 kg. For Russia to dominate, it will need athletes like Mavlet Batirov at 55 kg, Kamal Ustarkhanov at 60 kg and Irbek Farniev at 66 kg to bring home some medals. Another newcomer is expected at 96 kg, with the promising Taimoraz Tiguiev expected to compete. Russia will be Russia, tremendously talented and motivated to win.     RUSSIA  55 kg/121 lbs. - Mavlet Batirov, Alexandre Kontoev or Jargal Dondoupov  60 kg/132 lbs. - Kamal Ustarkhanov or Ramil Islamov  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Irbek Farniev, Zaour Botaev or Dmitry Kirillov  74 kg/163 lbs. - Buvaysa Saitiev, Rouslan Kokaev or Magomed Isagadzhiev  84 kg/185 lbs. - Sazhid Sazhidov, Khadjimourat Gatsalov or Adam Saitiev  96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Taimouraz Tiguiev or Zaynudin Ibragimov  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Kuramagomed Kuramagomedov or David Moussoulbes      The United States has not had much of a chance to show its dominance, having missed the 2002 World Championships in Iran after a threat of violence was made on the team. In 2001, with a new, young group of athletes, the USA was not in the top three. Just a year from the Olympics, the American team is more seasoned, but still does not have the long list of achievements that earlier U.S. teams have boasted.    There is only one past World medalist on the U.S. team, 2001 bronze medalist Joe Williams at 74 kg. Williams has done everything it takes to be the champion, but must put it all together this year. His loss in the 2001 World meet was to Saitiev of Russia, and this  marquee matchup could be featured again in New York. There is only one Olympian on the U.S. team, Kerry McCoy at 120 kg. McCoy has just missed out on medals in the past, and as a native New Yorker, should be able to feed on the energy this time around.     Expected to be right there with anybody in the world are Stephen Abas at 55 kg and Cael Sanderson at 84 kg. Abas has one World meet under his belt, with an early tight loss to the eventual champion in the pools. Sanderson has been unable to compete at the Worlds due to circumstance not under his control. This time, he finally gets to show his stuff. The fate of the U.S. team could lie with the three former Oklahoma State stars: veteran Eric Guerrero at 60 kg and "rookies" Jamill Kelly at 66 kg and Daniel Cormier at 96 kg. If these Cowboy stars step up and make a run for the medals, Team USA can match up with Russia, Iran and any other nation.    UNITED STATES  55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephen Abas  60 kg/132 lbs. - Eric Guerrero  66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jamill Kelly  74 kg/163 lbs. - Joe Williams  84 kg/185 lbs. - Cael Sanderson  96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Daniel Cormier  120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Kerry McCoy    There are a few other nations, which, on a good year, can crack into the top few spots in the standings, most notably Cuba, Ukraine and Turkey. Last year, Cuba placed a strong third in the standings, and Ukraine was right there at fourth.    Cuba has three past World Champions on its team: Rene Montero at 55 kg, Yoel Romero at 84 kg and Alexis Rodriguez at 120 kg. Montero won his World title a year ago, while the other two were medal winners but not champions. Rodriguez won his gold in 1998, with Romero taking his gold in 1999. Romero has a great rivalry with Russia's Saitiev, and is developing one with newcomer Cael Sanderson. Both Montero and Rodriguez were beaten by American stars at the recent Pan American Games, and will be looking for revenge. These three alone can collect a large number of team points if they make the medal rounds again.    Cuba's final finish may be determined by the other divisions. There are some "hot" wrestlers on the squad, including Yandro Quintana at 60 kg and Sergei Rondon at 66 kg, both Pan Am Games champs. Quintana hammered 2001 World Champion Giuvi Sissaouri in the Pan Am finals, and Rondon be