Schwab, Askren receive draws for Olympic freestyle competition on Wednesday
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by Gary Abbott
BEIJING, CHINA - The U.S. wrestlers competing on the second day of men's freestyle wrestling have weighed in and received their draws, Doug Schwab (Iowa City, Iowa/Gator WC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Ben Askren (Columbia, Mo./Sunkist Kids) at 74 kg/163 lbs. Both are competing in their first Olympic Games.
Schwab will compete against 2006 World bronze medalist Andriy Stadnik of Ukraine in his opening match. If he wins, he will compete against Sushil Kumar of India.
On Schwab's side of the bracket is 2007 World bronze medalist Irbek Farniev of Russia.
"Doug is wrestling as well as he ever has," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "He has solidified some positions he needed to work on. If he excels from these positions, as he did in training, he will have success. I am excited about Doug. He has been very energetic and in tune with what we have been doing in Beijing and Colorado Springs. I like where his head is at. I expect him to compete like he has been training."
Schwab was fifth at the 2007 World Championships. He is a native of Osage, Iowa, and was a NCAA champion for the Univ. of Iowa. He is currently an assistant wrestling coach at Iowa. Schwab was married a few days after the Olympic Trials. He beat 2006 World champion Bill Zadick in the finals of the Olympic Trials. His older brother Mark was a talented freestyle wrestler.
Askren has drawn Istvan Vereb of Hungary in his first match. If he wins, he will then draw the winner of the match between Si Riguleng of China and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Ivan Fundora of Cuba.
In his half-bracket is two-time Olympic champion and six-time World champion Buvaisa Saitiev of Russia, who he potentially would face in the quarterfinals. Also on his side is 2006 World champion Ibraghim Aldatov of Ukraine, who he would not face until the semifinals.
"Ben is a wildcard in the mix," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "He is bringing special skills to the mat that people have not seen before. I expect him to beat these guys. His training has gone fabulous. He listened to what we asked him to do. He followed the plan. He has adopted to what we need him to use against world-level competition. He has accepted the plan. He is going to go out and compete. I expect him to do very well.
Askren is competing on first U.S. Senior team. He is from Hartland, Wis., and was a two-time NCAA champion for the Univ. of Missouri. Askren won two Hodge Awards as the nation's top college wrestler. Askren is known for his flair on the mat and his personality off the mat. He has often worn his hair long, and fans wear Ben Askren wigs in the crowd. However, Askren cut his hair early in the Olympic Games seeking an edge on the competition. His younger brother Max is his training partner in Beijing.
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.
Schwab will compete against 2006 World bronze medalist Andriy Stadnik of Ukraine in his opening match. If he wins, he will compete against Sushil Kumar of India.
On Schwab's side of the bracket is 2007 World bronze medalist Irbek Farniev of Russia.
"Doug is wrestling as well as he ever has," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "He has solidified some positions he needed to work on. If he excels from these positions, as he did in training, he will have success. I am excited about Doug. He has been very energetic and in tune with what we have been doing in Beijing and Colorado Springs. I like where his head is at. I expect him to compete like he has been training."
Schwab was fifth at the 2007 World Championships. He is a native of Osage, Iowa, and was a NCAA champion for the Univ. of Iowa. He is currently an assistant wrestling coach at Iowa. Schwab was married a few days after the Olympic Trials. He beat 2006 World champion Bill Zadick in the finals of the Olympic Trials. His older brother Mark was a talented freestyle wrestler.
Askren has drawn Istvan Vereb of Hungary in his first match. If he wins, he will then draw the winner of the match between Si Riguleng of China and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Ivan Fundora of Cuba.
In his half-bracket is two-time Olympic champion and six-time World champion Buvaisa Saitiev of Russia, who he potentially would face in the quarterfinals. Also on his side is 2006 World champion Ibraghim Aldatov of Ukraine, who he would not face until the semifinals.
"Ben is a wildcard in the mix," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson. "He is bringing special skills to the mat that people have not seen before. I expect him to beat these guys. His training has gone fabulous. He listened to what we asked him to do. He followed the plan. He has adopted to what we need him to use against world-level competition. He has accepted the plan. He is going to go out and compete. I expect him to do very well.
Askren is competing on first U.S. Senior team. He is from Hartland, Wis., and was a two-time NCAA champion for the Univ. of Missouri. Askren won two Hodge Awards as the nation's top college wrestler. Askren is known for his flair on the mat and his personality off the mat. He has often worn his hair long, and fans wear Ben Askren wigs in the crowd. However, Askren cut his hair early in the Olympic Games seeking an edge on the competition. His younger brother Max is his training partner in Beijing.
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.
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