Team USA goes 13-1 in first day of competition at the 2003 World Championships
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Jason Bryant (TheMat.com)
09/12/2003
The second session of the World Championships of Freestyle Wrestling went off almost perfect. The U.S. went 9-1 in second session matches, with the only setback coming in Joe Williams' 3-1 loss to Iran's Hadi Habibi in overtime from the clinch. Williams was thrown for three points as overtime began and the contingent of Iran fans erupted. Going 2-0 on the day in the Men's championships were Stephen Abas, Eric Guerrero and Cael Sanderson. Jamill Kelly, Daniel Cormier and Kerry McCoy went 1-0, with each wrestler receiving a bye during the course of the two sessions. "We train to win every match. We were excited about our performance, but we feel as bad about the one loss as we are happy about the 21 wins," said Bobby Douglas, U.S. World team coach. The women were perfect on the day, with Sally Roberts, Toccara Montgomery, Tina George and Kristie Marano finished 2-0. Jenny Wong, Sara McMann and Patricia Miranda won their first session matches and had byes the last session. All 12 U.S. wrestlers that competed in the first session won their first round pool matches, highlighted by Guerrero's 3-1 overtime win over Iran's Mohammad Talaei and Sara McMcMann's pin over world silver medallist Sara Erikkson of Sweden. Personal goals were also on the mind of American wrestlers like Stephen Abas. Abas reeled off two overtime victories at 121 pounds, including a 3-1 victory over 2002 Olympic gold medallist Abdullaev Yadulla of Azerbaijan. "I set a goal a long time ago to be a World Champion. I have to clear the pool to do that," Abas said. Tom Brands, assistant U.S. world team head coach, believes Abas' work ethic played the deciding factor in the match. "The difference was shape. The Azerbaijani was a different wrestler at minute 7:30 in the match than he was at minute one of the match. It's the good ol' American know-how," Brands said. Abas scored the deciding takedown countering a Yadulla attack 8:30 into the match. Brands also called the large pro-U.S. crowd "a huge kick in the pants. They (the wrestlers) are confident, they feel good, and the coaches feel good about it." Guerrero had to rally from a 3-0 deficit to defeat Italy's Michele Luizzi 4-3. "He's from Italy, so a lot of people underestimated him, but I've wrestled him before," Guerrero said. Long Island native Kerry McCoy wasted no time in his first action in Madison Square Garden, dispensing Duane Van of South Africa 12-1. "We don't do it (wrestle) for the fame and the glory, but it's a lot better when you're appreciated," McCoy said. As the tournament goes, it was a long day of competition, but ran relatively smooth. "This is one of the most successful world championships our organization has been involved with," Executive Director of USA Wrestling Rich Bender said.