Bill Farrell International to feature talented USA and foreign entries in Olympic weights, Nov. 10-12
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
National Team members Alex Dieringer (left) and Victoria Anthony (right), shown competing at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, are registered to compete in the Bill Farrell International this week. Photo by Tony Rotundo, Wrestlers Are Warriors
The new four-year Olympic cycle gets its domestic kickoff with the 2016 Bill Farrell Memorial International, set for the world famous New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, New York City, N.Y., November 10-12.
Previously known as the New York Athletic Club International, it is named in honor of the late Bill Farrell, a giant in international wrestling, who was involved with the NYAC for decades as an athlete, coach and leader.
The three-day tournament will have action in the three Olympic disciplines. It will include the six Olympic weight classes in each style for the second straight year. There will be women’s freestyle on Thursday, men’s freestyle on Friday and Greco-Roman on Saturday. All of the action will be broadcast by Flowrestling.
This year, the Bill Farrell International will be held alongside the 2016 U.S. Non-Olympic Weight World Team Trials, which will serve as the qualifying event for Team USA at the Non-Olympic Weight World Championships in Budapest, Hungary on December 10-11.
It will be an interesting competition, as there should be a mix of experienced athletes who will get on the mat for the first time in many months, as well as many young talents who have their eyes set on the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The U.S. will field the most athletes, with a good representation from Canada, and competitors coming from as many as 15 nations.
The largest field looks to be in men’s freestyle, but there will be a healthy showing in Greco-Roman, which could have the most international competitors.
Fans can enjoy all of the action on the live broadcasts provided by Flowrestling.
WOMEN’S FREESTYLE (THURSDAY)
The pre-registration of USA women wrestlers was not large, but was stocked with talent. The top gun who signed up was two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony (48 kg), who was second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Her weight will feature three-time Junior World medalist Erin Golston, University World medalist Amy Fearnside and tough Cody Pfau, who placed as high as fifth at the Junior Worlds.
Placing third at the Olympic Trials was Mallory Velte (63 kg), who was fifth at the 2015 Junior Worlds. Junior World bronze medalists who have signed up for the Bill Farrell International are Becka Leathers (58 kg), who won her medal in 2015 and Alexis Porter (63 kg), who was third at the 2016 Junior Worlds.
Julia Salata, who has made both Junior World and University World Teams, comes in at 69 kg, along with young Rachel Watters, who is a freshman in college this year but has been on two Junior World Teams.
The foreign entry list is led off by Japan, which brings back two champions from the 2015 Bill Farrell International, Yuka Yago at 53 kg and Ayako Ito at 63 kg. Last year, Yago won her Farrell gold medal at 48 kg. Ito was fifth in the 2013 Senior World Championships. Another tough Japanese entry is Marika Shidochi (48 kg), a 2011 Junior World champion who was fifth in the 2011 Senior Worlds.
The Canadian list includes a pair of past Senior World Team members, Natasha Kramble (48 kg) and Breanne Graham (63 kg). Graham has won three University World medals and a Junior World medal. Add in 2016 Pan American champion Samantha Stewart (53 kg) and 2016 University World champion Allyssa Cleaves (48 kg). Canadian women have done very well in past Bill Farrell Internationals, including three of the six champions last year.
Norway’s 2016 Olympian Signe Store (69 kg) has also been an entry in the tournament.
MEN’S FREESTYLE (FRIDAY)
The USA brings a large entry list, including three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer (74 kg), plus NCAA champions Nico Megaludis (57 kg), Dustin Kilgore (97 kg) and Tony Nelson (125 kg).
Dieringer comes off a third place finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2016, and Kilgore has been ranked as high as No. 2 on the Freestyle Team USA ladder in the past. Megaludis and Nelson showed strong freestyle skills in the last few years, and are looking to step up their performance going forward.
The two weight classes with perhaps the best group of USA entries are at 86 kg and 97 kg. Wrestlers who were successful at 86 kg in the last Olympic cycle included Richard Perry, Austin Trotman and Deron Winn. Young talents in that weight include Mike Evans, Peter Renda and Timmy McCall. The 97 kg field includes Kilgore, plus Micah Burak, J.T. Felix, Kallen Kleinschmidt and Blaize Cabell.
Other Americans of interest are past Junior World champion Dom Bradley (125 kg) and B.J. Futrell (65 kg), who was a University World medalist for the USA. Matt Brown, an NCAA runner-up for Penn State, makes his return to the mat at 74 kg. Guys with strong freestyle skills include Zach Sanders (57 kg) and Evan Henderson (65 kg).
Of the international competitors to watch are 2014 World bronze medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmanov of Uzbekistan, who also wrestles for the NYAC. Abdurakhmanov was fifth at the 2016 Olympics, with a repechage round win over Olympic and World champion Jordan Burroughs. He was a college All-American for Clarion Univ., and won the gold medal at the 2015 Bill Farrell International.
Another U.S. college star who is competing for another nation is David Habat of Slovenia (65 kg). Habat, an All-American for Edinboro, did not qualify for the Rio Games, but had some strong efforts in the World Olympic Qualifying events last year.
2014 Asian bronze medalist Ken Hosaka of Japan (74 kg), a 2014 World Team member, is in the field. Kyrgyzstan brings 2016 Asian bronze medalists Ulukbebk Zhoidoshbekov (57 kg) and Saiakbai Usupov (86 kg). Firuz Yakubov of Tajikistan (96 kg) was a 2015 Asian Junior medalist. Another tough draw could be 2009 Junior World bronze medalist Nodir Safarov of Uzbekistan (57 kg).
GRECO-ROMAN (SATURDAY)
The U.S. Greco-Roman contingent is stocked full of Tokyo 2020 prospects, those seeking to continue their growth with an eye on the future. The top-ranked wrestler in the bunch is 2016 Junior World bronze medalist G’Angelo Hancock, who was third at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Ryan Mango, who has placed as high as No. 2 on the Greco-Roman ladder in the past, brings his tremendous skills to the fight at 59 kg. His weight class will have some talented young stars who have made U.S. age group teams, including Dalton Roberts and Hayden Tuma. This weight has the most U.S. entries, with athletes like Sam Jones, Justin Lavalle, Randon Miranda and Dmitry Ryabchinsky capable of reaching the finals.
The 75 kg weight has three young stars on a bullet, 2016 World team member Kamal Bey, 2014 Youth Olympic Games medalist Mason Manville and Greco specialist Jesse Porter, all who should be making noise at the Senior level soon.
There are some interesting challengers to Hancock at 98 kg, including Hayden Zillmer, who was third in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 85 kg. Other medal hopefuls Enock Francois, who is moving over to Greco after doing well in freestyle, and Daniel Miller, who was a Junior World Team member in freestyle while at the U.S. Naval Academy but now moving up in Greco-Roman as a U.S. Marine. Endhr Meza and Orry Elor are also tough draws at 98 kg.
The foreign contingent has a few veteran stars in the pre-registration. 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World silver medalist Armen Vardanyan of Ukraine (75 kg) and 2009 World bronze medalist and two-time Olympian Aliaksandr Kikinou of Belarus (85 kg) are among the top preliminary entries.
There are some tough wrestlers from a number of the delegations expected to enter in Greco-Roman. Guram Pherselidze of Georgia (130 kg), fifth in the 2012 Olympics, World Team member and European medalist, has been entered. Kyrgyzstan brings Murat Ramonov (130 kg), an Olympian, World Team member and Asian medalist, as well as Atai Koichukulov (66 kg), a World Team member and Asian medalist.
Japan boasts Shota Yanokura (59 kg), a 2013 World University Games bronze medalist and Masato Sumi, who has won two medals at past Bill Farrell Internationals. The Korean team includes 2013 Junior World bronze medalist Kim Min-Seok (130). Israel is led by 2013 Junior World bronze medalist Andrei Tsaryuk (59 kg).
PRE-REGISTERED ATHLETES FOR BILL FARRELL INTERNATIONAL
ALBANIA
Greco-Roman
75 kg/165 lbs. – Dritan Therepeli
BELARUS
Greco-Roman
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Aliaksandr Kikinou
CANADA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Michael Asselstine
74 kg/163 lbs. – Shawn Daye-Finley
86 kg/189 lbs. – Grayson St.-Laurent
97 kg/213 lbs. – Alex Thoms
125 kg/275 lbs. – Charles Thoms
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Allyssa Cleaves
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Natasha Kramble
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Katie Dutchak
53 kg/115.6 lbs. – Samantha Stewart
58 kg/128 lbs. – Alexandria Town
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Breanne Graham
Greco-Roman
98 kg/215 lbs. – Thomas Barreiro
Other expected Canadian entries
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Cruiz Manning
74 kg/163 lbs. – Tyler Rowe
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jevon Balfour
86 kg/189 lbs. – Dalton Webb
86 kg/189 lbs. – Connor Hodgins
Women’s freestyle
53 kg/116.5 lbs. - Jade Parsons
58 kg/128 lbs. – Hannah Taylor
63 kg/138.75 lbs. Jessica Brouillette
63 kg/138.75 lbs. Indira Moores
69 kg/152 lbs. – Olivia Di Bacco
GEORGIA
Greco-Roman
130 kg/286 lbs. – Guram Pherselidze
Weight unknown – Gocha Davitadze
HONDURAS
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Brandon Escobar
ISRAEL
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. - Andrey Tsaryuk
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mehman Aliyev
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Naor Gurielashvili
JAPAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Yu Itou
65 kg/143 lbs. – Hirotake Abe
74 kg/163 lbs. – Ken Hosaka
86 kg/189 lbs. – Ken Karamushizawa
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Shota Tanokura
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Katsuyoshi Kawase
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Yuuka Okajima
98 kg/215 lbs. – Masato Sumi
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Marica Shidochi
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Yuka Yago
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Ayaka Ito
69 kg/152 lbs. – Tamae Yoshii
KOREA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/134 lbs. – Kim Subin
125 kg/275 lbs. – Sin Je-Woo
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Song Jin-Seub
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Kang Ji-Ho
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Choi Junhyeong
98 kg/215 lbs. – Park In-Chul
130 kg/286 lbs. – Kim Min-Seok
KYRGYZSTAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Saiakbai Usupov
Weight unknown – Islam Keneshov
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Arsen Eraliev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Atai Kouchukulov
75 kg/163 lbs. – Atabek Azizbekov
75 kg/163 lbs. – Kairatbek Tugolbaev
75 kg/163 lbs. – Samat Shirdakov
130 kg/286 lbs. – Murat Ramonov
Weight unknown – Altynbek Alymbaev
Weight unknown – Urmat Tagaev
Weight unknown – Farkhat Usupzhanov
Weight unknown – Shamil Shamurov
NORWAY
Women’s freestyle
75 kg/165 lbs. – Signe Fidje Store
SLOVENIA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – David Habat
TAJIKISTAN
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Johongir Bobojonov
61 kg/134 lbs. – Farrukh Khalilov
65 kg/143 lbs. – Umardzho Negmatov
97 kg/213 lbs. – Firuz Yakubov
125 kg/275 lbs. - Anusherov Umarov
UKRAINE
Greco-Roman
75 kg/165 lbs. – Armen Vardanyan
UNITED STATES
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Andrew Ibarra (Righetti HS)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Colton Rasche (Marines)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Dalton Roberts (NMU-OTS)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Hayden Tuma (Army WCAP)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Isaiah Varona (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Justin LaValle (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Kyndall Rutz (NMU-OTS)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Lawson Ludwin (Tiger WC/OTC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Randon Miranda (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Ryan Mango (Army WCAP)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Sam Jones (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Matthew Hall (Fight the Battle)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Xavier Johnson (Marines)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Matthew Hall (Fight the Battle)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Austin Morrow (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jamal DeArmond (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jessy Williams (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Raymond Bunker (Marines)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Broc Clark (Marines)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Christopher Gonzalez (Marquette)
75 kg/165 lbs. - Jesse Porter (NYAC)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Kamal Bey (Sunkist Kids)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Mason Manville (Army WCAP)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Jeff Palmeri (NYAC/Finger Lakes RTC)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Kevin Radford (Sunkist Kids)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. - Khymbakhy Johnson (NYAC)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Lucas Sheridan (Army WCAP)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Vaughn Monreal-Berner (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Daniel Miller (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Endhr Meza (Army WCAP)
98 kg/215 lbs. - Enock Francois (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. - G Angelo Hancock (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. - Orry Elor (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Trent Osnes (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Zach Merrill (TMWC)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota Storm)
130 kg/286 lbs. – Eric Fader (Marines)
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – David White (Curby Three Styles)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – David Terao (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Frank Perrelli (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Jarrod Patterson (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Josh Aarons (Buffalo Valley RTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Lawson Ludwin (Tiger WC/OTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Nico Megaludis (Nittany Lion WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Sebastian Rivera (Chicago RTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – B.J. Futrell (TMWC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. - Daniel Neff (Buffalo Valley RTC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Evan Henderson (Camel WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Ganbayar Sanjaa (NYAC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Hunter Stieber (TMWC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mario Mason (Lehigh Valley AC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Tony Tolbert (RAW 241 WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Vincent Leone (Rhino WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jordin Humphrey (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Alex Dieringer (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Dan Vallimont (NYAC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Quinton Godley (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Stefan Kaeppeler (Nittany Lion WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Quinton Godley (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Chance Marsteller (Pride Wrestling)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Michael Moreno (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Matt Brown (Army WCAP)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Paul Saraiva (Rhino WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Vladyslav Dombrovskiy (Army WCAP)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Tony Piva (Bronco WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Austin Trotman (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Deron Winn (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Richard Perry (NYAC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - John Staudenmayer (Tarheel WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Joshua Asper (Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Mike Evans (Titan Mercury WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Peter Renda (Wolfpack WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Timmy McCall (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. –Victor Terrell (Army WCAP)
86 kg/189 lbs. – John Staudenmayer (Tar Heel WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Blaize Cabell (Panther WC RTC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Donald McNeil (Bears WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jeffery Felix (TMWC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Joshua Manu (Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Kallen Kleinschmidt (NYAC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Micah Burak (TMWC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Anthony Nelson (Minnesota Storm)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Braden Atwood (Tar Heel WC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Chad Hanke (TMWC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids)
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Erin Golston (NYAC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Amy Fearnside (TMWC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Marissa Gregoire (ARIES WC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Cody Pfau (TMWC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Taylor Resuriz (McKendree Bearcats)
58 kg/128 lbs. - Areana Villaescusa (Army WCAP)
58 kg/128 lbs. - Becka Leathers (TMWC)
58 kg/128 lbs. – Lauren Louive (Hawkeye WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Alexis Porter (NYAC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Mallory Velte (TMWC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Maggy Douma (ARIES WC)
69 kg/152 lbs. - Julia Salata (NYAC)
69 kg/152 lbs. – Rachel Waters (ARIES WC)
69 kg/152 lbs. - Skylar Grote (NYAC)
UZBEKISTAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Nodir Safarov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (NYAC)
The new four-year Olympic cycle gets its domestic kickoff with the 2016 Bill Farrell Memorial International, set for the world famous New York Athletic Club in Manhattan, New York City, N.Y., November 10-12.
Previously known as the New York Athletic Club International, it is named in honor of the late Bill Farrell, a giant in international wrestling, who was involved with the NYAC for decades as an athlete, coach and leader.
The three-day tournament will have action in the three Olympic disciplines. It will include the six Olympic weight classes in each style for the second straight year. There will be women’s freestyle on Thursday, men’s freestyle on Friday and Greco-Roman on Saturday. All of the action will be broadcast by Flowrestling.
This year, the Bill Farrell International will be held alongside the 2016 U.S. Non-Olympic Weight World Team Trials, which will serve as the qualifying event for Team USA at the Non-Olympic Weight World Championships in Budapest, Hungary on December 10-11.
It will be an interesting competition, as there should be a mix of experienced athletes who will get on the mat for the first time in many months, as well as many young talents who have their eyes set on the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. The U.S. will field the most athletes, with a good representation from Canada, and competitors coming from as many as 15 nations.
The largest field looks to be in men’s freestyle, but there will be a healthy showing in Greco-Roman, which could have the most international competitors.
Fans can enjoy all of the action on the live broadcasts provided by Flowrestling.
WOMEN’S FREESTYLE (THURSDAY)
The pre-registration of USA women wrestlers was not large, but was stocked with talent. The top gun who signed up was two-time Junior World champion Victoria Anthony (48 kg), who was second at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. Her weight will feature three-time Junior World medalist Erin Golston, University World medalist Amy Fearnside and tough Cody Pfau, who placed as high as fifth at the Junior Worlds.
Placing third at the Olympic Trials was Mallory Velte (63 kg), who was fifth at the 2015 Junior Worlds. Junior World bronze medalists who have signed up for the Bill Farrell International are Becka Leathers (58 kg), who won her medal in 2015 and Alexis Porter (63 kg), who was third at the 2016 Junior Worlds.
Julia Salata, who has made both Junior World and University World Teams, comes in at 69 kg, along with young Rachel Watters, who is a freshman in college this year but has been on two Junior World Teams.
The foreign entry list is led off by Japan, which brings back two champions from the 2015 Bill Farrell International, Yuka Yago at 53 kg and Ayako Ito at 63 kg. Last year, Yago won her Farrell gold medal at 48 kg. Ito was fifth in the 2013 Senior World Championships. Another tough Japanese entry is Marika Shidochi (48 kg), a 2011 Junior World champion who was fifth in the 2011 Senior Worlds.
The Canadian list includes a pair of past Senior World Team members, Natasha Kramble (48 kg) and Breanne Graham (63 kg). Graham has won three University World medals and a Junior World medal. Add in 2016 Pan American champion Samantha Stewart (53 kg) and 2016 University World champion Allyssa Cleaves (48 kg). Canadian women have done very well in past Bill Farrell Internationals, including three of the six champions last year.
Norway’s 2016 Olympian Signe Store (69 kg) has also been an entry in the tournament.
MEN’S FREESTYLE (FRIDAY)
The USA brings a large entry list, including three-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer (74 kg), plus NCAA champions Nico Megaludis (57 kg), Dustin Kilgore (97 kg) and Tony Nelson (125 kg).
Dieringer comes off a third place finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in 2016, and Kilgore has been ranked as high as No. 2 on the Freestyle Team USA ladder in the past. Megaludis and Nelson showed strong freestyle skills in the last few years, and are looking to step up their performance going forward.
The two weight classes with perhaps the best group of USA entries are at 86 kg and 97 kg. Wrestlers who were successful at 86 kg in the last Olympic cycle included Richard Perry, Austin Trotman and Deron Winn. Young talents in that weight include Mike Evans, Peter Renda and Timmy McCall. The 97 kg field includes Kilgore, plus Micah Burak, J.T. Felix, Kallen Kleinschmidt and Blaize Cabell.
Other Americans of interest are past Junior World champion Dom Bradley (125 kg) and B.J. Futrell (65 kg), who was a University World medalist for the USA. Matt Brown, an NCAA runner-up for Penn State, makes his return to the mat at 74 kg. Guys with strong freestyle skills include Zach Sanders (57 kg) and Evan Henderson (65 kg).
Of the international competitors to watch are 2014 World bronze medalist Bekzod Abdurakhmanov of Uzbekistan, who also wrestles for the NYAC. Abdurakhmanov was fifth at the 2016 Olympics, with a repechage round win over Olympic and World champion Jordan Burroughs. He was a college All-American for Clarion Univ., and won the gold medal at the 2015 Bill Farrell International.
Another U.S. college star who is competing for another nation is David Habat of Slovenia (65 kg). Habat, an All-American for Edinboro, did not qualify for the Rio Games, but had some strong efforts in the World Olympic Qualifying events last year.
2014 Asian bronze medalist Ken Hosaka of Japan (74 kg), a 2014 World Team member, is in the field. Kyrgyzstan brings 2016 Asian bronze medalists Ulukbebk Zhoidoshbekov (57 kg) and Saiakbai Usupov (86 kg). Firuz Yakubov of Tajikistan (96 kg) was a 2015 Asian Junior medalist. Another tough draw could be 2009 Junior World bronze medalist Nodir Safarov of Uzbekistan (57 kg).
GRECO-ROMAN (SATURDAY)
The U.S. Greco-Roman contingent is stocked full of Tokyo 2020 prospects, those seeking to continue their growth with an eye on the future. The top-ranked wrestler in the bunch is 2016 Junior World bronze medalist G’Angelo Hancock, who was third at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Ryan Mango, who has placed as high as No. 2 on the Greco-Roman ladder in the past, brings his tremendous skills to the fight at 59 kg. His weight class will have some talented young stars who have made U.S. age group teams, including Dalton Roberts and Hayden Tuma. This weight has the most U.S. entries, with athletes like Sam Jones, Justin Lavalle, Randon Miranda and Dmitry Ryabchinsky capable of reaching the finals.
The 75 kg weight has three young stars on a bullet, 2016 World team member Kamal Bey, 2014 Youth Olympic Games medalist Mason Manville and Greco specialist Jesse Porter, all who should be making noise at the Senior level soon.
There are some interesting challengers to Hancock at 98 kg, including Hayden Zillmer, who was third in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 85 kg. Other medal hopefuls Enock Francois, who is moving over to Greco after doing well in freestyle, and Daniel Miller, who was a Junior World Team member in freestyle while at the U.S. Naval Academy but now moving up in Greco-Roman as a U.S. Marine. Endhr Meza and Orry Elor are also tough draws at 98 kg.
The foreign contingent has a few veteran stars in the pre-registration. 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World silver medalist Armen Vardanyan of Ukraine (75 kg) and 2009 World bronze medalist and two-time Olympian Aliaksandr Kikinou of Belarus (85 kg) are among the top preliminary entries.
There are some tough wrestlers from a number of the delegations expected to enter in Greco-Roman. Guram Pherselidze of Georgia (130 kg), fifth in the 2012 Olympics, World Team member and European medalist, has been entered. Kyrgyzstan brings Murat Ramonov (130 kg), an Olympian, World Team member and Asian medalist, as well as Atai Koichukulov (66 kg), a World Team member and Asian medalist.
Japan boasts Shota Yanokura (59 kg), a 2013 World University Games bronze medalist and Masato Sumi, who has won two medals at past Bill Farrell Internationals. The Korean team includes 2013 Junior World bronze medalist Kim Min-Seok (130). Israel is led by 2013 Junior World bronze medalist Andrei Tsaryuk (59 kg).
PRE-REGISTERED ATHLETES FOR BILL FARRELL INTERNATIONAL
ALBANIA
Greco-Roman
75 kg/165 lbs. – Dritan Therepeli
BELARUS
Greco-Roman
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Aliaksandr Kikinou
CANADA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Michael Asselstine
74 kg/163 lbs. – Shawn Daye-Finley
86 kg/189 lbs. – Grayson St.-Laurent
97 kg/213 lbs. – Alex Thoms
125 kg/275 lbs. – Charles Thoms
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Allyssa Cleaves
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Natasha Kramble
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Katie Dutchak
53 kg/115.6 lbs. – Samantha Stewart
58 kg/128 lbs. – Alexandria Town
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Breanne Graham
Greco-Roman
98 kg/215 lbs. – Thomas Barreiro
Other expected Canadian entries
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – Cruiz Manning
74 kg/163 lbs. – Tyler Rowe
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jevon Balfour
86 kg/189 lbs. – Dalton Webb
86 kg/189 lbs. – Connor Hodgins
Women’s freestyle
53 kg/116.5 lbs. - Jade Parsons
58 kg/128 lbs. – Hannah Taylor
63 kg/138.75 lbs. Jessica Brouillette
63 kg/138.75 lbs. Indira Moores
69 kg/152 lbs. – Olivia Di Bacco
GEORGIA
Greco-Roman
130 kg/286 lbs. – Guram Pherselidze
Weight unknown – Gocha Davitadze
HONDURAS
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Brandon Escobar
ISRAEL
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. - Andrey Tsaryuk
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mehman Aliyev
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Naor Gurielashvili
JAPAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Yu Itou
65 kg/143 lbs. – Hirotake Abe
74 kg/163 lbs. – Ken Hosaka
86 kg/189 lbs. – Ken Karamushizawa
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Shota Tanokura
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Katsuyoshi Kawase
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Yuuka Okajima
98 kg/215 lbs. – Masato Sumi
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Marica Shidochi
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Yuka Yago
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Ayaka Ito
69 kg/152 lbs. – Tamae Yoshii
KOREA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/134 lbs. – Kim Subin
125 kg/275 lbs. – Sin Je-Woo
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Song Jin-Seub
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Kang Ji-Ho
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Choi Junhyeong
98 kg/215 lbs. – Park In-Chul
130 kg/286 lbs. – Kim Min-Seok
KYRGYZSTAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Ulukbek Zholdoshbekov
86 kg/189 lbs. – Saiakbai Usupov
Weight unknown – Islam Keneshov
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Arsen Eraliev
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Atai Kouchukulov
75 kg/163 lbs. – Atabek Azizbekov
75 kg/163 lbs. – Kairatbek Tugolbaev
75 kg/163 lbs. – Samat Shirdakov
130 kg/286 lbs. – Murat Ramonov
Weight unknown – Altynbek Alymbaev
Weight unknown – Urmat Tagaev
Weight unknown – Farkhat Usupzhanov
Weight unknown – Shamil Shamurov
NORWAY
Women’s freestyle
75 kg/165 lbs. – Signe Fidje Store
SLOVENIA
Men’s freestyle
65 kg/143 lbs. – David Habat
TAJIKISTAN
Men’s Freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Johongir Bobojonov
61 kg/134 lbs. – Farrukh Khalilov
65 kg/143 lbs. – Umardzho Negmatov
97 kg/213 lbs. – Firuz Yakubov
125 kg/275 lbs. - Anusherov Umarov
UKRAINE
Greco-Roman
75 kg/165 lbs. – Armen Vardanyan
UNITED STATES
Greco-Roman
59 kg/130 lbs. – Andrew Ibarra (Righetti HS)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Colton Rasche (Marines)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Dalton Roberts (NMU-OTS)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Dmitry Ryabchinskiy (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Hayden Tuma (Army WCAP)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Isaiah Varona (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Justin LaValle (Minnesota Storm)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Kyndall Rutz (NMU-OTS)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Lawson Ludwin (Tiger WC/OTC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Randon Miranda (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Ryan Mango (Army WCAP)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Sam Jones (NYAC)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Matthew Hall (Fight the Battle)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Xavier Johnson (Marines)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Matthew Hall (Fight the Battle)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Austin Morrow (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jamal DeArmond (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jessy Williams (NYAC)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Raymond Bunker (Marines)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Broc Clark (Marines)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Christopher Gonzalez (Marquette)
75 kg/165 lbs. - Jesse Porter (NYAC)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Kamal Bey (Sunkist Kids)
75 kg/165 lbs. – Mason Manville (Army WCAP)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Jeff Palmeri (NYAC/Finger Lakes RTC)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Kevin Radford (Sunkist Kids)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. - Khymbakhy Johnson (NYAC)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Lucas Sheridan (Army WCAP)
85 kg/187.5 lbs. – Vaughn Monreal-Berner (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Daniel Miller (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Endhr Meza (Army WCAP)
98 kg/215 lbs. - Enock Francois (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. - G Angelo Hancock (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. - Orry Elor (NYAC)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Trent Osnes (Marines)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Zach Merrill (TMWC)
98 kg/215 lbs. – Hayden Zillmer (Minnesota Storm)
130 kg/286 lbs. – Eric Fader (Marines)
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – David White (Curby Three Styles)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – David Terao (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Frank Perrelli (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Jarrod Patterson (TMWC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Josh Aarons (Buffalo Valley RTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Lawson Ludwin (Tiger WC/OTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Nico Megaludis (Nittany Lion WC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Sebastian Rivera (Chicago RTC)
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Zach Sanders (Minnesota Storm)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – B.J. Futrell (TMWC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. - Daniel Neff (Buffalo Valley RTC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Evan Henderson (Camel WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Ganbayar Sanjaa (NYAC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Hunter Stieber (TMWC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Mario Mason (Lehigh Valley AC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Tony Tolbert (RAW 241 WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Vincent Leone (Rhino WC)
65 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jordin Humphrey (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Alex Dieringer (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Dan Vallimont (NYAC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Quinton Godley (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Stefan Kaeppeler (Nittany Lion WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Quinton Godley (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Chance Marsteller (Pride Wrestling)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Michael Moreno (TMWC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Matt Brown (Army WCAP)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Paul Saraiva (Rhino WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Vladyslav Dombrovskiy (Army WCAP)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Tony Piva (Bronco WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Austin Trotman (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Deron Winn (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - Richard Perry (NYAC)
86 kg/189 lbs. - John Staudenmayer (Tarheel WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Joshua Asper (Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Mike Evans (Titan Mercury WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Peter Renda (Wolfpack WC)
86 kg/189 lbs. – Timmy McCall (TMWC)
86 kg/189 lbs. –Victor Terrell (Army WCAP)
86 kg/189 lbs. – John Staudenmayer (Tar Heel WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Blaize Cabell (Panther WC RTC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Donald McNeil (Bears WC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Dustin Kilgore (Sunkist Kids)
97 kg/213 lbs. - Jeffery Felix (TMWC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Joshua Manu (Navy-Marine Corps Mat Club)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Kallen Kleinschmidt (NYAC)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Micah Burak (TMWC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Anthony Nelson (Minnesota Storm)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Braden Atwood (Tar Heel WC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Chad Hanke (TMWC)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Dom Bradley (Sunkist Kids)
Women’s freestyle
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Erin Golston (NYAC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Victoria Anthony (Sunkist Kids)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Amy Fearnside (TMWC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Marissa Gregoire (ARIES WC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Cody Pfau (TMWC)
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Taylor Resuriz (McKendree Bearcats)
58 kg/128 lbs. - Areana Villaescusa (Army WCAP)
58 kg/128 lbs. - Becka Leathers (TMWC)
58 kg/128 lbs. – Lauren Louive (Hawkeye WC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Alexis Porter (NYAC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Mallory Velte (TMWC)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Maggy Douma (ARIES WC)
69 kg/152 lbs. - Julia Salata (NYAC)
69 kg/152 lbs. – Rachel Waters (ARIES WC)
69 kg/152 lbs. - Skylar Grote (NYAC)
UZBEKISTAN
Men’s freestyle
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Nodir Safarov
74 kg/163 lbs. – Bekzod Abdurakhmanov (NYAC)
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