U.S. fails to qualify for Olympics at 60 kg, as Gallick is beaten in Final Olympic Qualifier in Poland
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by Gary Abbott
WARSAW, POLAND - The U.S. fell short in its last chance to qualify for the Olympic Games at 60 kg/132 lbs. in freestyle wrestling when Nate Gallick (Chattanooga, Tenn./Sunkist Kids) was defeated in the first round in the Final Olympic Qualifying Tournament on Saturday.
Gallick was defeated by Ramazan Kambarov of Turkmenistan in the opening round, 3-4, 1-0, 0-3. When Kambarov was defeated in the second round by Didier Pais of France, Gallick was eliminated from the competition.
The top three competitors in each weight class at this final Olympics Qualifying event will qualify their nation for the Beijing Olympics. There will be no more opportunities in men's freestyle.
The American squad has already qualified the other six freestyle classes for the Olympics, set for Aug. 12-21 in Beijing, China.
"I do not have the words to express my feelings of devastation for all of our 60 kg athletes," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson.
In the first period, Gallick opened with a three-point double leg takedown, and was reversed to lead, 3-1. Kambarov scored a three-point double leg to capture the period, 4-3.
Gallick won the second period, 1-0 on a double leg takedown.
In the final 10 seconds of the third and deciding period, Gallick attacked on a double leg near the edge. Kambarov appeared to step out of bounds then hit a chest-lock on Gallick for exposure. According to Coach Jackson, two officials awarded a point to Gallick but the action went to video tape review. Officials awarded three points to Kambarov, who won the period and the match on that move.
Gallick is ranked second in the U.S. at 132 lbs. and is a past World University Games champion. Kambarov placed eighth at the 2006 Asian Games and placed 18th at the 2003 Junior World Championships.
Gallick, a past NCAA champion for Iowa State, did not compete at last weekend's U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas as he completed final preparations for the Olympic qualifier in Poland.
The three previous qualifying opportunities for the Olympic Games were the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Pan American Championships and the First Olympic Qualifying Tournament for freestyle in Martigny, Switzerland. Two-time U.S. World Team member and 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC) competed in those events at 60 kg/132 lbs.
The U.S. has qualified 14 of 18 weight classes overall for the Olympics. The U.S. has qualified in five of the seven classes in Greco-Roman and three of the four classes in women's freestyle. Two qualifiers remain in Greco-Roman and women's freestyle.
The U.S. still needs to qualify for the Olympics in Greco-Roman at 60 kg/132 lbs. and 74 kg/163 lbs. The women still need to qualify at 55 kg/121 lbs.
Gallick was defeated by Ramazan Kambarov of Turkmenistan in the opening round, 3-4, 1-0, 0-3. When Kambarov was defeated in the second round by Didier Pais of France, Gallick was eliminated from the competition.
The top three competitors in each weight class at this final Olympics Qualifying event will qualify their nation for the Beijing Olympics. There will be no more opportunities in men's freestyle.
The American squad has already qualified the other six freestyle classes for the Olympics, set for Aug. 12-21 in Beijing, China.
"I do not have the words to express my feelings of devastation for all of our 60 kg athletes," said National Freestyle Coach Kevin Jackson.
In the first period, Gallick opened with a three-point double leg takedown, and was reversed to lead, 3-1. Kambarov scored a three-point double leg to capture the period, 4-3.
Gallick won the second period, 1-0 on a double leg takedown.
In the final 10 seconds of the third and deciding period, Gallick attacked on a double leg near the edge. Kambarov appeared to step out of bounds then hit a chest-lock on Gallick for exposure. According to Coach Jackson, two officials awarded a point to Gallick but the action went to video tape review. Officials awarded three points to Kambarov, who won the period and the match on that move.
Gallick is ranked second in the U.S. at 132 lbs. and is a past World University Games champion. Kambarov placed eighth at the 2006 Asian Games and placed 18th at the 2003 Junior World Championships.
Gallick, a past NCAA champion for Iowa State, did not compete at last weekend's U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas as he completed final preparations for the Olympic qualifier in Poland.
The three previous qualifying opportunities for the Olympic Games were the 2007 World Championships, the 2008 Pan American Championships and the First Olympic Qualifying Tournament for freestyle in Martigny, Switzerland. Two-time U.S. World Team member and 2006 World silver medalist Mike Zadick (Solon, Iowa/Gator WC) competed in those events at 60 kg/132 lbs.
The U.S. has qualified 14 of 18 weight classes overall for the Olympics. The U.S. has qualified in five of the seven classes in Greco-Roman and three of the four classes in women's freestyle. Two qualifiers remain in Greco-Roman and women's freestyle.
The U.S. still needs to qualify for the Olympics in Greco-Roman at 60 kg/132 lbs. and 74 kg/163 lbs. The women still need to qualify at 55 kg/121 lbs.
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