Japan team lineup set for Freestyle World Cup in Los Angeles, Calif., March 15-16

The wrestling federation of Japan has provided its lineup for the 2014 Freestyle Wrestling World Cup, which will be held at the Forum, presented by Chase, March 15-16 in Inglewood, Calif.


The World Cup is the annual international dual meet championships, and will feature the top 10 men’s freestyle wrestling teams in the world.


The Japanese team will be led by a pair of World place winners, Sohsuke Takatani at 74 kg/163 lbs. and Takeshi Yamaguchi at 97 kg/213 lbs. Takatani placed seventh and Yamaguchi placed eighth at the 2013 World Championships. Takatani, who was a 2012 Olympian,


Tomotsugu Ishida, who competes at 65 kg/143 lbs., was a 2010 World University champion. Yuki Takahashi (57 kg/125 lbs.) was a 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion.


Japan will have a pair of past Junior World bronze medalists in the lineup, Fumitaka Morishita at 57 kg/125 lbs. and Nobuyoshi Arakida at 125 kg/275 lbs. Morashita won his Junior World medal in 2013, while Arakida claimed his in 2008. Morashita was also a 2013 World University Games bronze medalist.


Japan has not named its entry at 70 kg/154 lbs., which will be decided on March 9.


Japan placed 14th at the 2013 World Championships, which were held in Budapest, Hungary.


The 10 nations which will compete for the World Cup are (alphabetically): Armenia, Georgia, India, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United States. Nations were invited based upon final team standings at the 2013 World Championships.


Tickets are now available via Ticketmaster, through http://www.ticketmaster.com/, www.fabulousforum.com, and The Forum Box Office. The phone number for Ticketmaster is 800-745-3000.


The discounted All-Session tickets for the two-day event will be available for a limited time, and at three price levels:

• General Admission (Sections 201-211 and 225-236) for $50 face value

• Preferred Seating (in the 100 levels) for $130 face value

• VIP (100 levels center mat) for $270 face value.


All Ticketmaster purchases are subject to a convenience fee.


There will be two sessions of wrestling action each day of the Freestyle World Cup. On Saturday, March 15, there will be sessions held at 11:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. On Sunday, March 16, the first session is at 11:00 a.m., with the First Place and Third Place Championship Duals set for 5:00 p.m.


For more information on the Freestyle World Cup, visit www.wrestlingworldcup.com

Japan World Cup roster

57 kg/125 lbs. – Fumitaka Morishita

57 kg/125 lbs. – Yuki Takahashi

61 kg/134 lbs. – Katsuyoshi Kawase

65 kg/143 lbs. – Tomotsugu Ishida

70 kg/154 lbs. – TBA on March 9

74 kg/163 lbs. - Sohsuke Takatani

86 kg/189 lbs. – Atsushi Matsumoto

97 kg/213 lbs. – Takeshi Yamaguchi

125 kg/275 lbs. – Nobuyoshi Arakida

Team Leader – Tomohiro Matsunaga

Coach – Kenichi Yumoto

Referee – Masaki Shionohara

Masseur – Atsushi Kawasaki

Japan World Cup bios


57 kg/125 lbs. – Fumitaka Morishita

Third in 2012 Junior World Championships… Second in 2014 Yasar Dogu International (Turkey)… Seventh in 204 Takhti Cup (Iran)… 2013 FILA Golden Grand Prix Finals champion (Azerbaijan)… Third in 2013 World University Games… Fifth in 2013 Asian Championships… Third in 2013 World Cup… Ninth in 2011 Junior World Championships… Third in 2011 Junior World Cup… Second in 2009 Asian Junior Championships… Third in 2007 Asian Cadet Championships… Born: March 5, 1992… Age: 22

57 kg/125 lbs. –Yuki Takahashi

Second in 2014 Yasar Dogu International (Turkey)… Second in 2012 Asian Junior Championships… 2010 Youth Olympic Games champion…

61 kg/134 lbs. – Katsuyoshi Kawase

Competed in 2014 Takhti Cup (Iran)… Eighth in 2011 Cadet World Championships…

65 kg/143 lbs. – Tomotsugu Ishida

Third in 2012 and 2013 Asian Championships… Third in 2013 World Cup… Fourth in 2012 New York AC International (USA)… 2010 World University champion… Fifth in 2010 Dan Kolov International (Bulgaria)… Fifth in 2009 Junior World Championships… Third in 2006 Asian Cadet Championships… Born: May 24, 1989… Age: 24

70 kg/154 lbs. – TBA on March 9

74 kg/163 lbs. - Sohsuke Takatani

Seventh in 2013 World Championships… Competed in 2012 Olympic Games… Fourth in 2012 World Cup… Second in 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Fourth in 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International (USA)… 10th in 2011 Dan Kolov International (Bulgaria)… Seventh in 2010 World University Championships… Ninth in 2009 Junior World Championships… Seventh in 2008 Olympic Qualification Tournament (Poland)… Fifth in 2007 Junior World Championships… Seventh in 2006 Asian Cadet Championships… Fifth in 2005 Asian Cadet Championships… Born: April 5, 1989… Age: 24

86 kg/189 lbs. – Atsushi Matsumoto

Third in 2011 and 2013 Dave Schultz Memorial International (USA)… Fifth in 2012 World Cup… Third in 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Eighth in 2010 Asian Games… Ninth in 2010 World University Championships… Competed in 2010 World Championships… Eighth in 2009 Asian Championships… Fourth in 2009 Dave Schultz Memorial International (USA)… Competed in 2008 Junior World Championships… Fifth in 2007 Junior World Championships… 2005 Asian Cadet champion… Born: March 24, 1988… Age: 25

97 kg/213 lbs. – Takeshi Yamaguchi

Eighth in 2013 World Championships… 10th in 2013 Asian Championships… Seventh in 2013 World Cup… Eighth in 2012 World Cup… Third in 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International (USA)… Competed in 2009 Junior World Championships… Fifth in 2006 Asian Cadet Championships… Born: April 4, 1989… Age: 24

125 kg/275 lbs. – Nobuyoshi Arakida

Third in 2008 Junior World Championships… Competed in 2009, 2011 and 2013 World Championships… 10th in 2012 Olympic Qualification Tournament (Kazakhstan)… Fifth in 2012 Asian Championships… 10th in 2011 Asian Championships… Fifth in 2010 Dan Kolov International (Bulgaria)… Third in 2009 Asian Championships… Fifth in 2009 Dave Schultz Memorial International (USA)… Seventh in 2008 Asian Championships… Ninth in 2006 Junior World Championships… 2006 Asian Junior champion… 10th in 2005 Junior World Championships… Born: March 26, 1988… Age: 25