The annual New York Athletic Club Christmas International Championships are set for the world famous New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, New York City, Dec. 20-21.    Top international wrestling stars in men's freestyle, men's Greco-Roman and women's freestyle wrestling are expected to attend. The tournament will provide outstanding competition to athletes who will be seeking a spot on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team in all three styles.    Weigh-ins for the competition will be held on Friday, December 19 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. in the basement wrestling room at the New York Athletic Club. There will be a two-kg weight allowance in all divisions from the international weight class.     Competition will be held on Saturday and Sunday in the sixth floor gymnasium at the New York Athletic Club. Wrestling starts on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and begins Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. Gold-medal finals are expected at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.    In the men's freestyle and men's Greco-Roman divisions, prize money will be awarded to the top three U.S. placewinners in each weight class, as part of the USA Wrestling National Teams program. Foreign athletes will receive prize money only if they are individual champions in the men's divisions. There is no prize money in the women's division, as this event was not selected as a prize-money event as part of the overall U.S. women's national team support program.    In 2002, a number of accomplished international wrestlers claimed individual titles. In men's freestyle, among the champions were two-time U.S. World Team member  Chris Bono of the Sunkist Kids at 145.5 pounds and 2000 Olympian Charles Burton of the New York AC at 185 pounds.    Among the women's freestyle champions last year were two-time World silver medalists  Patricia Miranda of the Dave Schultz WC at 105.5 pounds and Toccara Montgomery of Cumberland College at 158.5 pounds.    Traditionally a number of athletes from other nations enter this competition. In 2002, among the champions was two-time World silver medalist Karam Gaber of Egypt at 211.25 pounds in men's Greco-Roman. Other international champions last year included Aleh Mishalovich of Belarus at 163 pounds in men's Greco-Roman and Canadian women wrestlers Tonya Verbeek at 121 pounds and Tara Hedican at 138.75 pounds.    The host New York Athletic Club is the oldest and one of the most successful international wrestling clubs in the nation. The club holds regular practices in its facility in New York City, but also sponsors talented wrestlers across the nation.    The New York Athletic Club will have a strong team of competitors in the field. NYAC wrestler and two-time World Champion Kristie Marano will compete in the women's division. Marano will be returning to New York City, where she won the 2003 World gold medal at 147.5 pounds in Madison Square Garden in September. She is a native of Albany N.Y.    Members of the New York AC who are expected to return to defend their titles from last year are Durlacher, Bracken and Bosch in Greco-Roman, and Morrison in freestyle.    The New York AC Greco-Roman lineup will be stocked, with two-time World team member T.C. Dantzler and 2003 World Team member Justin Ruiz  joining Durlacher, Bracken and Bosch. Other  nationally respected NYAC Greco-Roman athletes expected to attend include Joe Warren, Cory Posey, Darryl Christian, Brandon McNab and R.C. Johnson. The New York AC Greco-Roman team will have an exhibition dual meet with a squad from Belarus on Thursday evening, Dec. 18.    The New York AC freestyle lineup will feature Morrison, plus nationally respected Jeremy Hunter, Matt Lackey and Steven Mocco. Among the young NYAC stars expected to compete are Andy Hrovat, Clint Wattenburg, Pat Popolizio, Greg Parker, David Rechul and Jon Masa Rodriguez.    Many other top wrestlers from the major wrestling clubs in the United States are expected to attend, as well as some talented athletes from other nations.    Please note that there is a dress code for anybody entering the NYAC lobby. Men must wear a shirt and jacket. Women must wear casual business attire.     For more information, contact Sonny Greenhalgh at 973-256-0670 or via e-mail at sonny@cnjgroup.com    NEW YORK AC CHRISTMAS INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE    Friday, Dec. 19  5:00 p.m. - Weigh-ins at NYAC wrestling room in basement    Saturday Dec. 20  9:00 a.m. - Preliminaries for all styles in the NYAC sixth floor gymnasium  (session expected to complete by 6:00 p.m.)    Sunday, Dec. 21  10:00 a.m. - Preliminaries and semifinals for all styles in the NYAC sixth floor gymnasium  4:00 p.m. - Championship finals    2002 NEW YORK AC CHRISTMAS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS  Men Freestyle   121 - Mike Mena (New York AC) ; 132 - Jesus Wilson (Minn. Storm); 145.5 - Chris Bono (Sunkist Kids); 163 -  Joe Heskett (Sunkist Kids); 185 - Charles Burton (New York AC); 211.25 - Dean Morrison (New York AC); 264.5 -  Tolly Thompson (Sunkist Kids)     Men's Greco Roman   121 - Lindsey Durlacher (New York AC); 132 - Dennis Hall (Sunkist Kids); 145.5 - Kevin Bracken (New York AC); 163 - Aleh Mishalovich (Belarus); 185 -  Ethan Bosch (New York AC) ; 211.25 - Karam Gaber (Egypt) ; 264.5 -  Matt Lamb (New York AC)     Women's freestyle    105.5 - Patricia Miranda (Dave Schultz WC); 112 - Danielle Hobeika (Dave Schultz WC); 121 - Tonya Verbeek (Canada); 130 -  Erin Tomeo (Sunkist Kids); 138.75 - Tara Hedican (Canada); 158.5 - Toccara Montgomery (Cumberland College)