Two past champions headline U.S. team for the Veterans Freestyle Worlds in Ankara, Turkey, Aug. 14-16

Many of the nation's top Veterans wrestlers will be competing at the 2009 Veterans World Freestyle Championships in Ankara, Turkey on August 14-16.

Among the team members are past Veterans World champions Shirzad Ahmadi (Coventry, Conn./Team Shirzad) at 63 kg in Div. E and Brad Swartz (Auburn,Wash./Team Vision Quest) at 76 kg in Div. C.

Ahmadi was also a U.S. Veterans national champion in freestyle this year.

Two other 2009 U.S. Veterans Nationals champions will be on the tour: Ray Lotfi (Sugarland, Texas (Fort Bend Country) at 130 kg in Div. E and Jonathan Tush, Maplewood, N.J. (NYAC) at 76 kg in Div. C.

The U.S. delegation will feature 11 athletes competing in four age divisions.

2009 U.S. Freestyle Veterans World Championships Team

Division B (41-45 years old)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sam Chagolla, Phoenix, Ariz. (Arizona Champions)
76 kg/167.5 lbs. - Tony Piva, Driggs, Idaho (USA Idaho)

Division C (46-50 years old)
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Brad Swartz, Auburn,Wash. (Team Vision Quest)
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Jonathan Tush, Maplewood, N.J. (NYAC)

Division D (51-55 years old)
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Jonny Akins, Knotts Island, N.C. (Team Jesus)

Division E (56 years and older)
63kg/138.75 lbs. - Steve Barkman, Bloomsbury, NJ (Hunterdon Hills Wrestling Club)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Shirzad Ahmadi, Coventry, Conn. (Team Shirzad)
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Fred Jahad, Apex, N.C.
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Kenneth Peters, Elmhurst, III. (Greater Chicago Wrestlers)
76kg/167.5 lbs. - Zelik Ziegelbaum Port Washington, N.Y. (NYAC)
130kg/286 lbs. - Ray Lotfi, Sugarland, Texas (Fort Bend Country)

Team Leader and Coach - Sam Barber, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Referee - Rusty Davidson, Grants, N.M.

FREESTYLE VETERANS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE

Friday, August 14th
Competition in divisions B and E

Saturday, August 15th
Competition in Division C and D

Sunday, August 16th
Competition in Division A