In the spirit of international competition, USA Wrestling and World Sport Chicago wrapped up a successful second staging of the
Chicago Cup, a wrestling event featuring men’s and women’s
athletes from Bulgaria, Poland and the United States.
The 2008 Chicago Cup featured the 2007 world champion U.S. Greco-Roman men’s team competing against a very strong team from Bulgaria. The U.S. women's national team also returned to face off against the Polish women's team in Olympic freestyle weights.
“It has been an honor for us to play host to some of the world’s top wrestlers,” said Bill Scherr, executive director of World Sport Chicago. “It was a very successful event, and we were thrilled to see many members of Chicago’s ethnic communities come out to cheer on their teams from Bulgaria and Poland.”
Before the competition Tuesday, members of the Bulgarian and Polish squads and Team USA, along with the general consulates of Bulgaria and Poland, met with Mayor Richard M. Daley at City Hall. Mayor Daley enthusiastically greeted his guests and welcomed them to Chicago.
“Chicago is a world-class city that embraces sport and we are proud to host our friends from Bulgaria and Poland, as well as our own U.S. world champions, as they participate in the
Chicago Cup,” said Mayor Richard M. Daley. "We hope these talented athletes have a great competition and will get a chance to enjoy all the wonderful things Chicago has to offer."
Chicago Cup fans were treated to a number of activities at Northwestern University's Welsh-Ryan Arena prior to the competition. An autograph session included members of Team USA and past Olympic wrestlers. Team USA coaches Steve Fraser and
Terry Steiner also facilitated a youth clinic, in which members of the men’s and women’s teams demonstrated Greco-Roman and
freestyle wrestling techniques.
“We were happy to have the opportunity to showcase our world championship squad to our Chicago fans,” said Steve Fraser, head coach of the U.S. men’s Greco-Roman team. “We’re also grateful for the opportunity to compete against this Bulgarian team, who proved to be formidable opponents.”
The competition began with a parade of athletes, who entered the arena holding flags from their countries as vocalists performed each country’s national anthem.
2008 CHICAGO CUP RESULTS
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Women’s Freestyle: USA 3, POLAND 2
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, CO/Sunkist Kids) dec. Iwona Sadowska, 1-0, 2-0
55 kg/121 lbs. – Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, CO/Sunkist Kids) dec. Anna Zwirydowska, 0-1, 3-0, 3-0
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Monika Rogien (Poland) dec. Randi Miller (Colorado Springs, CO/Gator WC), 1-0, 3-2
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Stephany Lee (Colorado Springs, CO/Sunkist Kids) pinned Agnieska Wieszczek, 1:36.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Iwona Sadowska (Poland) dec. Mary Kelly (Colorado Springs, CO/New York AC), 0-1, 1-0, 1-0
Greco-Roman: USA 5, BULGARIA 1
55 kg/121 lbs. – Lindsey Durlacher (Colorado Springs, CO/New York AC) dec. Venelin Venkov, 0-4, 3-0, 2-0
60 kg/132 lbs. – Armen Nazarian (Bulgaria) dec. Willie Madison (Metairie, La./Gator WC), 6-0, 6-0
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Harry Lester (Marquette, MI/Gator WC) dec. Nikolay Gergov, 4-1, 6-0
74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, CO/Gator WC) dec. Yavor Yanakiev, 3-0, 3-1
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz (Colorado Springs, CO/New York AC) dec. Georgi Zlatanski, 3-2, 6-0
120 kg/264.5 lbs. – Dremiel Byers (Colorado Springs, CO/U.S. Army) dec. Ivan Ivanov, 1-1, 6-0
Men’s Freestyle Exhibition
84 kg/185 lbs. – Mihail Ganev (Bulgaria) dec. Jake Herbert (Wexford, PA/New York AC), 0-1, 1-0, 1-1
Images from Chicago Cup located under the News Images link in left toolbar.
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About World Sport Chicago
World Sport Chicago (WSC) is an Illinois not-for-profit working to enhance the image, awareness and participation in Olympic sports across Chicago and to extend Chicago’s international outreach through and for sport and youth. Focused on promoting the development of recreational and competitive sport to the area’s youth, WSC works closely with Chicago 2016 and Chicago’s 2016’s Athlete Advisory Counsel (AAC) to provide sport expertise and athlete insight to the execution of these sporting events. WSC intends to aid Chicago in developing a sustainable, international sporting legacy, as a real agent of social change for the City. Michael Conley, Sr., an Olympic medalist in the triple jump, serves as president and CEO. William Scherr, an Olympic medalist in wrestling, is chairman of the board.
About USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is the national governing body for wrestling in the United States and is a member organization of the United States Olympic Committee and the international wrestling federation FILA. USA Wrestling conducts events and programs for wrestlers at all levels. Its membership includes athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and fans all across the nation. For more information about USA Wrestling, please see: www.TheMat.com.
Contact:
Mica Matsoff
+1.312.861.4891
mmatsoff@chicago2016.org