Scherr vs. Khadartsev is the new “Bout of the Week” on USA Wrestling Members-Only website
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/22/2004
USA Wrestling has updated its new "Bout of the Week" on USA Wrestling's Members-Only website. The featured match this week will be the Jim Scherr vs. Makharbek Khadartsev match at the 1989 World Cup at 90 kg/198 pounds in men's freestyle wrestling. This match was held in Toledo, Ohio. The bout was during the USA vs. Soviet Union dual meet in the final session of the tournament, which would help determine the team champion. At that time in his career, Scherr had wrestled Khadartsev a number of times without a victory. Scherr kept the match close. With the score tied at 2-2, late in the third period, Scherr scored a three-point move to exposure off of a counter on Khadartsev to earn a 5-2 win. His exciting upset win sparked the U.S. team, which won the next two bouts behind Bill Scherr and Bruce Baumgartner to defeat the Soviet Union, 19-18. "Jim Scherr wrestled the greatest match of his career against one of the top three wrestlers the Soviet Union has ever had," said U.S. coach Bobby Douglas. Scherr was a three-time World medalist during his career, claiming World silver medals in 1987 and 1989 and a World bronze medal in 1986. He qualified for the 1988 Olympic team, placing fifth after being caught by Japan's Akiro Ota in the pool finals. Competing alongside twin brother Bill, a World champion and five-time World-level medalists, the Scherrs were a devastating combination in the upper weights for Team USA. He won three U.S. Nationals titles, and added two World Cup gold medals and a Pan American Championships. Competing for the Univ. of Nebraska, Scherr was a 1984 NCAA champion and a two-time All-American. He was also a state champion for Mobridge High School in South Dakota. In December 1990, Scherr was ranked No. 2 behind Chris Campbell when he accepted the position as USA Wrestling's Executive Director. He was the youngest Executive Director in the entire Olympic family. Scherr served 10 years as the Executive Director of the organization, a period of growth and success. In 2000, Scherr accepted a position as the top Sports Performance executive at the U.S. Olympic Committee. For over a year, he has served as the interim CEO at the U.S. Olympic Committee, taking over after the resignation of Lloyd Ward. He is responsible for running the daily operations of the organization and guiding it through the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Khadartsev was one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers in history. Nicknamed "the Rock" for his impressive strength and power, Khadartsev dominated international wrestling in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Khadartsev won Olympic gold medals in 1988 and 1992, and added an Olympic silver medal in 1996. He was also a five-time World Champion (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991). When added up, he captured the World gold medal at his division for seven straight years. He boasts two World silver medals, 1994 and 1995. Khadartsev won five European titles, four World Cup titles, a Goodwill Games gold medal, two Grand Masters title, and numerous other major international achievements. He had a brother Aslan, who was also a World heavyweight champion, but died in an automobile accident. He is now a successful businessman in Russia. This popular feature will be changed on a regular basis, allowing members to enjoy many of the greatest matches in wrestling history. Moving into the archived section of Bouts of the Week was last week's 2003 Sally Roberts vs. Marianna Sastin women's freestyle match. Many other entertaining and historic matches are in the archive section for the Bout of the Week. USA Wrestling has done a complete redesign and expansion of its Members-Only website, providing all USA Wrestling members with an impressive new resource stocked with interactive learning tools and entertaining features. This on-line resource is available free of charge only to current members of USA Wrestling, one of the most exciting benefits of joining the organization. USA Wrestling members will only need to enter the number from their 2003-04 membership card into an entry form, and the exciting new Members-Only page will become available to them. RECENT BOUTS OF THE WEEK PLACED IN ARCHIVE 2003 Sally Roberts vs. Marianna Sastin women's freestyle match 1996 Melvin Douglas vs. Mike Van Arsdale men's freestyle match 1988 Ike Anderson vs. Buddy Lee men's Greco-Roman match 1996 Tom Brands vs. Jang Jae-Sung men's freestyle match 2004 Eric Larkin vs. T.J. Williams men's freestyle match 1992 Rodney Smith vs. Cecilio Rodriguez men's Greco-Roman match. 1988 Rico Chiapparelli vs. Lukman Jabrailov men's freestyle match 2003 Kristie Marano vs. Ewelina Pruszko women's freestyle match 1999 Stephen Neal vs. Andrei Shumilin men's freestyle match 2003 Cael Sanderson vs. Sajid Sajidov men's freestyle match