Bono and Williams win first matches at first Olympic Qualification Tournament

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
01/31/2004


Bratislava, Slovakia - Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) and Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) have won their first pool matches at the first 2004 Olympic Qualification Tournament.    Changes have been made to the pool pairings based on late additions from China and Afghanistan.    Bono defeated Sergei Demtchenko of Belarus in pool competition at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. by a score of 4-1. Demtchenko placed fourth in the 2000 Olympic Games.    Bono will now face Raska Ahto of Estonia in order to advance.    Due to changes, Williams has a different opponent in his pool at 74 kg/163 lbs., Eugen Preda of Romania. Williams defeated Habib Mohmed of Qatar 3-2 in pool competition. He will now face Preda in his final pool match.    The U.S. still must qualify the 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and 74 kg/163 lbs. weight classes for the 2004 Olympic Games. Competing for the U.S. at the first qualification tournament are Chris Bono (Gilbert, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Joe Williams (Iowa City, Iowa/Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs.    In order to qualify the weight class for the 2004 Olympic Games, wrestlers must place in the top five at their respective weight class.    Wrestlers qualifying for the Olympic Games only qualify their weight class for their nation. Olympic Team athlete selection varies by country. Positions on the 2004 U.S. Olympic Teams will be determined at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Wrestling in Indianapolis, Ind., May 21-23.    The Slovakian Wrestling Federation has set up a web page that has information on these championships. To follow the action, visit:  http://www.zapasenie.sk/olympic/main.htm