(29 July 1996; Day 10)
Arsen FADZAEV of Uzbekistan is the two-time defending Olympic gold medalist at 68kg in freestyle wrestling. But if he wins his third straight gold medal, he'll have earned it.
FADZAEV, one of the world's most feared competitors in his prime, drew 1993 World Champion Ali Akbar FALLAH of the Islamic Republic of Iran for his opening match Tuesday morning at the Georgia World Congress Center. Should he get past FALLAH, also the 1995 World silver medalist, he'll face Vadim BOGIYEV of Russia, the 1993 World silver medalist.
In addition to his two Olympic gold medals, FADZAEV also was a world champion from 1985-87 and 1990-91 competing for the Soviet Union.
There also could be an interesting second-round match at 48kg, where 1992 Olympic gold medalist KIM Il of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea could meet defending World Champion Vuchar ORDUZHOV of Russia. ORUDZHOV must first get past the reigning European champion, Victor YEFTENI of Ukraine.
The United States, winners of the team title in the world championships in 1993 and 1995, open Group A competition without two wrestlers who won world championships a year ago at the Omni in Atlanta. Terry BRANDS (57kg) and Kevin JACKSON (82kg), both two-time world champions, were eliminated at the Olympic Trials in June by Kendall CROSS and Les GUTCHES, respectively. Both are competing on their first Olympic team.
The toughest American draw went to defending world champion Kurt ANGLE of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (100kg). His second-round opponent could be 1988 Olympic bronze medalist KIM Tae-Woo of Korea, followed by Arawat SABEJEW of Germany, the wrestler ANGLE defeated in the world championship finals last year on a 1-1 referee's decision. SABEJEW also was the 1994 World Champion.
The United States and Russia are the only two nations with a full 10-man lineup entered in the freestyle competition. USA head coach Joe SEAY was happy with his Group A first-round draws.
"I think we're sitting pretty good," said SEAY, also the head coach of the 1993 and 1995 World Championship title teams. "If we do our job and take it one match at a time, I think our guys have a good chance to get out there and work the crowd and get their confidence going early."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Robert Sherrill.
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