Mango draws Munteanu of Romania in his first match at Olympics
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by Gary Abbott
BEIJING, CHINA - Spenser Mango (St. Louis, Mo./Gator WC) will be the first wrestler to compete for the United States in the Olympic wrestling competition, when he enters the 55 kg/121 lbs. field in Greco-Roman wrestling at the China Agriculture University Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Mango weighed in and received his draw on Monday afternoon.
"Spenser has been wonderful," said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser of his preparation for the Olympics. "He is training hard and smart. He got his weight off efficiently today. He has a smile on his face. He is ready to go."
Mango will face Virgil Munteanu of Romania in his first match. Mango and Munteanu split a pair of matches in November when Romania came to the United States for competition. If Mango wins, he will face the winner of the match between Anders Nyblom of Denmark and Eun-Chol Park of Korea in the quarterfinals. Park was a 2007 World silver medalist.
Mango is on the bottom half of the draw. Also in his half-bracket is three-time World champion Hamid Sourian of Iran, who could face Mango if he reaches the semifinals.
"Munteanu is tough and he is powerful," said Fraser. "They have had good matches. I like his draw. I think Spenser is up for whoever he gets."
Two weight classes will be contested in their entirety: 55 kg (121 lbs.) and 60 kg (132 lbs.) This Olympics has a new wrestling format, where all weight classes start and complete on the same day. The United States does not have an entry at 60 kg, as it did not qualify at this weight class.
The morning session begins at 9:30 a.m. The final session, which includes repechage, then the gold and bronze medal matches, is slated for 4:00 p.m.
Fraser feels good about Mango's chances, and is hoping he will start the tournament with a strong performance. The United States is the reigning World Team champions in Greco-Roman wrestling, after a historic performance winning the team title at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"I think he can win this thing and shock the world," said Fraser. "His opponents don't know much about him. He is the real deal. He is explosive, is in great shape, is talented and smart. He will have to bring his A-game, but he has all the potential in the world."
Mango weighed in and received his draw on Monday afternoon.
"Spenser has been wonderful," said National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser of his preparation for the Olympics. "He is training hard and smart. He got his weight off efficiently today. He has a smile on his face. He is ready to go."
Mango will face Virgil Munteanu of Romania in his first match. Mango and Munteanu split a pair of matches in November when Romania came to the United States for competition. If Mango wins, he will face the winner of the match between Anders Nyblom of Denmark and Eun-Chol Park of Korea in the quarterfinals. Park was a 2007 World silver medalist.
Mango is on the bottom half of the draw. Also in his half-bracket is three-time World champion Hamid Sourian of Iran, who could face Mango if he reaches the semifinals.
"Munteanu is tough and he is powerful," said Fraser. "They have had good matches. I like his draw. I think Spenser is up for whoever he gets."
Two weight classes will be contested in their entirety: 55 kg (121 lbs.) and 60 kg (132 lbs.) This Olympics has a new wrestling format, where all weight classes start and complete on the same day. The United States does not have an entry at 60 kg, as it did not qualify at this weight class.
The morning session begins at 9:30 a.m. The final session, which includes repechage, then the gold and bronze medal matches, is slated for 4:00 p.m.
Fraser feels good about Mango's chances, and is hoping he will start the tournament with a strong performance. The United States is the reigning World Team champions in Greco-Roman wrestling, after a historic performance winning the team title at the 2007 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
"I think he can win this thing and shock the world," said Fraser. "His opponents don't know much about him. He is the real deal. He is explosive, is in great shape, is talented and smart. He will have to bring his A-game, but he has all the potential in the world."
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