Watch Stephen Abas of the Sunkist Kids wrestle and it seems he moves with dance-like fluency. His "dancing" is not to throw off his opponents or spectators, but is a result of a form of martial arts he practices called Capoeira.      Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art which combines dance and fighting tactics. He has been practicing it for about five years and got his start when his friends back in high school introduced him to it.  Abas practices Capoeira as a way to supplement his training regime. Every so often, he attends special schools specializing in Capoeira and learns more techniques.      According to Freestyle Developmental Coach Dave Bennett, "Abas uses Capoeira as a warm up before he wrestles. It is really just a good way for him to loosen up."    Even though he knows most wrestlers he wrestles do not have any background in Capoeira, he does not practice it to gain an advantage. It is more of a learning tool for himself.     "I don't feel that I have an advantage over anyone else I wrestle because of this, but I do know it helps me improve on a personal level with my balance and overall body knowledge," said Abas.      What Abas has taken advantage of throughout his wrestling career is his desire to win. Ranked No. 1 on the U.S. National Team at 55 kg/121 lbs.  for the last three years,  Abas is taking aim on a spot on the 2004 U.S. men's freestyle Olympic team.     Since he began wrestling when he was seven years old, Abas has had nothing but success. He won three California state titles in 1994-96 for Canyon Springs High School and James Logan High School. During his collegiate years at Fresno State, he was also a three-time NCAA champion. He was possibly the most decorated athlete on campus at that time along with phenom quarterback, David Carr. Abas was the only second four-time wrestling All-American in school history, joining only his older brother Gerry.    Although he has dominated his weight class in the U.S.,  Abas has not won a medal at the World Championships yet. This frustration makes him more determined to bring home an Olympic gold medal.      "It is frustrating knowing I have come close in a lot of competitions. In the Worlds last year, I came close but let it slip away from me and took fifth," says Abas. "Now more than ever I am determined to win a world medal. I have seen my competition and I know I am ready to get a gold."     He has won many other international competititons, including a 1998 Junior World Title. Abas is also a two-time Dave Schultz International champion, a two-time World Cup champion, a three-time Sunkist Kids International Open champion, and the 2003 Pan American Games champion. All that is missing is that World or Olympic medal.        Abas is currently training as a resident athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He is improving daily for international competition and to make a run for an Olympic medal.      "I first got to the Olympic Training Center in January and I quickly realized why I need to train here," says Abas, "The best coaches and training partners I could work with are around here."      Abas has one goal in mind and that is winning Olympic gold. However, he knows he has to beat all of his U.S. competitors first.      "He is here to concentrate 100% on his wrestling and preperation for the Olympics in August," said Bennett. "He is in the best environment possible right now with the best coaches, Kevin Jackson and Sergei Beloglazov, and has the best training partners around to prepare him for his competition,"      In order to make a run for the gold, Abas says he focusing on freestyle situations, tie-up situations, and tactics and strategies. He also concentrates on strategies in the par terre position. However, his greatest strengths may be nothing technical or areas he works on day to day, but just the way he goes about his wrestling.      "Abas is on top of his game. He is quick on his feet, very agile, freeflowing, and very innovative with his wrestling," said Coach Bennett.     At the end of Feburary, Abas will travel to Russia to get a taste of international competition overseas during this Olympic year. Many of his most challenging competitors will be wrestling in Ivan Yarygin Tournament. It allows him to find out what he needs to improve on in these final months leading up to the U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas April 8-10, and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis May 21-23.      According to Bennett, Abas needs to stay focused both in his mental training and physical training in order to stay in medal contention.      "Abas is in the right place and right enviroment to train to accomplish his goal. If he stays focused, he is going to be hard to beat," said Bennett.     This year Abas is determined to successfully wrestle his way to Olympic Glory in August in Athens. He thinks it is about time he stands on top of the world pedastal.      "He is able to compete with and beat the best in the world," says Bennett. "Without a doubt, Abas has a chance to win it all."    The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling are May 21-23 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Tickets and hotel accomodations are available. Visit wwwtrials2004.com for more information.