First five U.S. men’s freestylers get draws for UWW Cadet Worlds in Bosnia-Herzogovina
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Photo of the wrestling venue in Sarajevo taken by Nate Engel.
SARAJEVO, Bosnia- The first five U.S. men’s freestyle wrestlers have weighed in and received draws for the 2015 UWW Cadet World Championships on Saturday. This event features the world’s best 15-17 year old wrestlers.
Gavin Teasdale of Pennsylvania opens against Igor Nykyforuk of Ukraine at 50 kg/110 lbs. He is on his second straight UWW Cadet World Team. Last year, when he was at 42 kg, Teasdale placed fifth at the UWW Cadet Worlds.
Malik Heinselman of Colorado has drawn Shahin Mukhtarov of Azerbaijan in his opening match at 42 kg/92.5 lbs. Heinselman won the Cadet Nationals in Fargo in both freestyle and Greco-Roman this year.
Three other U.S. wrestlers, competing in their first UWW Cadet World Championships, see action on Saturday, Yianni Diakomihalis of New York at 58 kg/127.75 lbs., Brady Berge of Mantorville, Minn. at 69 kg/152 lbs. and Owen Webster of Shakopee, Minn. at 85 kg/187.5 lbs.
Diakomihalis opens against Maksat Talkambaev of Kyrgyzstan. Berge drew Dawid Piskorz of Poland in his first match. Webster battles Yaraslau Slavikouski of Belarus in his opener.
Last year, the United States placed third in the team standings in men’s freestyle, led by three champions and a silver medalist, none of whom return this year. The U.S. team is hoping to improve on last year’s strong finish.
The U.S. team is coached by Mitch Hull of Sun Prairie, Wis. and Jamill Kelly of Redwood City, Calif.
“We are excited to get started tomorrow as the young men on this team have prepared well for this Championship. Most have participated in the training camp at the University of Wisconsin and at the Olympic Training Center. Half of them slso represented their state in Fargo. With the majority of competitors being new wrestlers at every weight, you never know which weights present the toughest challenge We do know these guys are ready for the challenge,” said Coach Hull.
The USA is coming off a strong performance from the women’s freestyle team over the last two days, which placed third in the team standings and featured four medalists.
For updated results and a live webstream from the event, provided by United World Wrestling, visit:
https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-championships-2
Flowrestling is onsite in Sarajevo, and will have the archived videos of matches featuring the U.S. wrestlers.
UWW CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzogovina
U.S. men’s freestyle draws for Saturday.
42 kg/92.5 lbs. – Malik Heinselman, Castle Rock, Colo.
Vs. Shahin Mukhtarov (Azerbaijan)
50 kg/110 lbs. – Gavin Teasdale, Rices Landing, Pa.
Vs. Igor Nykyforuk (Ukraine)
58 kg/127.75 – Yianni Diakomihalis, Rochester, N.Y.
Vs. Maksat Talkambaev (Kyrgyzstan)
69 kg/152 lbs.– Brady Berge, Mantorville, Minn.
Vs. Dawid Piskorz (Poland)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Owen Webster, Shakopee, Minn.
Vs. Yaraslau Slavikouski (Belarus), 9th in 2015 European Cadet Championships
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