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Home , Bill Zadick, Coleman Scott, Hassan Rahimi, Hassan Yazdani, Ivan Yarygin, Jake Varner

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HOSTED BY: LEARN MORE  MUSCLEPHARM.COM © 2015 MUSCLEPHARM CORP. FUELINGSPORT www.wrestlingworldcup.com #BUILD STRENGTH. FEED MUSCLE Hello Wrestlers, Coaches and Fans! Competition Rules Welcome to The Forum and ’s Men’s The UWW Men’s Freestyle features a dual-meet format, Freestyle World Cup. Tonight you will see the eight finest wrestling in which two teams face off in individual bouts over eight weight countries in the world... and many of the finest wrestlers. classes: These countries and these wrestlers have earned their way to Los 57 kg (125 lbs.) 74 kg (163 lbs.) Angeles by being the best. These teams represent the spectrum of our sport. There are different, and incredible stories for 61 kg (134 lbs.) 86 kg (189 lbs.) each…but all of these teams will compete for the honor of being 65 kg (143 lbs.) 97 kg (213 lbs.) World Champion. 70 kg (154 lbs.) 125 kg (275 lbs.) This is a very important time for our sport of wrestling. Our road to and the 2016 starts here. At the Each match consists of two periods of three minutes each. end of this journey is a chance of a lifetime on the mats in . Wrestlers can score from 1-5 points for an individual hold and/ or control of the opponent, and multiple scores per period are Thank you to the organizers of this great event: Beat the Streets allowed. A match is stopped “by Superiority” if one wrestler has LA, a program to get kids off the streets and into sports....and USA a 10-point or more advantage. A match can also be stopped for Wrestling, an organization that governs wrestling in this country. a “fall” by one wrestler over another, and for a disqualification. Thanks to all of you for coming out to watch the best our sport has Wrestlers are encouraged to be aggressive; passivity (for example, to offer. And to the wrestlers, thanks for making our sport great. stalling) is frowned upon and can lead to disqualification. Please enjoy the action. Scoring of points of indicated by the referee, who will raise his/her fingers to signify the number of points awarded. The referee and Sincerely, judge must agree on the scoring in each match; if not, the mat Nenad Lalovic chairman will help to coordinate the final result. Video reviews are President, United World Wrestling used for an athlete’s challenge (one per match). If, after all individual bouts the score of the dual meet is level (for example 4-4) and there is no other weight categories to determine the winning team, the winner will be determined function to the following criteria: 1. The most victories by fall, default, forfeit or disqualification 2. The most victories by superiority Broadcast Schedule 3. The most technical points scored during the individual matches TIETS SEING 2014 Men’s Freestyle will be televised LIVE 4. The fewest technical points given during the individual matches in the on Universal Sports Network and NBC Sports 5. The outcome of the last individual match Network on Sunday, April 11. OUT FA¤! First qualifying event for Universal Sports Network: Bronze Medal Match the 2016 Olympic Games! LIVE: 7:30 p.m. (ET) UWW Men’s World Cup History NBC Sports Network: Gold Medal Match Country Gold Silver Bronze LIVE: 9:00 p.m. (ET) 0 1 2 UNITED WORLD WRESTLING WEBCAST SCHEDULE Best finish: 4th in 2013 Saturday, April 11, 2015 ­– Men’s Freestyle World Cup - Day 1 3:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. unitedworldwrestling.org 2 3 7 5 11 1 Sunday, April 12, 2015 – Men’s Freestyle World Cup - Day 2 11:00 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. unitedworldwrestling.org 0 2 1

United World Wresting Partners 6 7 5 (USSR) 15 14 – Includes Greco-Roman Best finish: 4th in 1992 Men’s & Women’s Freestyle Events United States 13 14 7 Proud Event Partners All-session tickets and hotel This is the second year the Men’s Freestyle Wrestling World Hosted by Cup has been held in , California (2014-2015). packages are available for a The U.S. has hosted the event a record 27 times. The United States is also holding this year’s Wrestling World limited time. For tickets, go to Championships in , . www.vegasworlds2015.com. September 7-12, 2015 The Men’s Freestyle Wrestling World Cup was started in 1973 as a showcase of the world’s top 125 kg, Batzorig Buyanjav at 70 kg and Unurbat – Umar Tebiev; Masseur – Evgeniy Koroliov; wrestling countries. This year’s event features the top eight men’s freestyle wrestling teams in the Purevjav at 74 kg is expected to compete. All Official – Zoinbek Abaev; Official – Alan Abaev; world (alphabetical): Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cuba, Iran, Mongolia, Russia, Turkey and the United States. have won medals at the Asian Championships. Official – Marat Dzobelov Buyanjav was a 2006 World University Each team will be split into two pools of four and will compete, in dual meets, against the other four CUBA champion, as was Lkhagvadorj Dugarsaren. 2013 teams in its pool. The winners of each pool wrestle for that coveted title of World Cup Champion. Junior World silver medalist Nomin Batbold is on The 2014 World Cup, also held in Los Angeles, was the first sporting event to be held in the newly- The Cuban team is led by 2012 Olympic bronze the roster at 57 kg. Mongolia placed sixth at the renovated Forum, one of the world’s great arenas. Iran won the 2014 World Cup, with Russia in medalist and two-time World medalist Livan 2014 World Championships. López Azcuy at 74 kg. Three-time World second and the United States in third. medalist Reineris Salas Perez is competing at 86 MONGOLIA ROSTER TURKEY This year, the Honorary Chairman of the Freestyle World Cup is Stephen Neal, a California native who kg/189 lbs. Salas won silver medals at the 2013 57 kg - Bekhbayar Erdenebat; 57 kg - Nomin The Turkish team is led by two-time World excelled in both wrestling and pro football. Neal won two NCAA titles for Cal-State Bakersfield and went and 2014 World Championships and a bronze in Batbold; 57 kg - Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar; 61 kg medalist Sezer Akguel at 57 kg. Mustafa on to win the 1999 World gold medal in freestyle wrestling. Although he did not play college football, he the 2010 Worlds. Rodríguez, who – Nyam-Ochir Enkhsaikhan; 61 kg – Nemekhbayar Kaya at 70 kg was the 2012 World University took third in the 2014 World Championship, is Batsaikhan; 65 kg –Mandakhnaran Ganzorig; played 10 years in the NFL as a guard with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowl rings. champion and placed fifth at the 2014 World set to compete at 57 kg. Javier Cortina Lacerra, 65kg – Batmagnai Batchuluun; 65 kg – Altangerel Championships. 2012 World University bronze The Honorary Captain of the U.S. team is , a star in both wrestling and Mixed Martial who was third at the 2014 World Championships Dorjtsegmed; 70 kg – Iderkhuu Gantulga; 70 medalist Meunir Recep Aktas is at 61 kg. 2014 Arts. Also a California native, Henderson competed on the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic Teams in and was a 2012 Olympian, is expected to kg – Ankhbayar Batchuluun; 74 kg – Lkhagvadorj European bronze medalist Soener Demirtas is Greco-Roman wrestling. Henderson fights in the UFC, and has a 30-13 professional record. He is compete at 97 kg. Andy Yoan Moreno González, Dugarsuren; 74 kg – Unurbat Purevjav; 86 wrestling at 74 kg/163 lbs. 2013 World University former PRIDE Middleweight and Welterweight Champion, the only to hold both belts simultaneously. who was third in the2007 World Championships, kg – Uitumen Orgodol; 86 kg – Usukhbaatar silver medalist Serdar Boeke is competing at 86 is on the roster at 70 kg. Cuba placed fifth at Purevee; 97 kg – Khuderbulga Dorjkhand; kg/189 lbs.Turkey placed third at the 2014 World the 2014 World Championships. 125 kg – Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan; 125 kg – Championships. Zolboo Natsagsuren; Team Leader – Dagvadorj CUBA ROSTER 2015 MEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD CUP Dolgorsuren; Official – Naranbaatar Bayaraa; TURKEY ROSTER 57 kg – Yowlys Bonne Rodríguez; 61 kg – Maikel Official – Baskhuu Aduuch; Official – Burgedaa The Forum Antonio Pérez González; 65 kg – Franklin Maren 57 kg – Sezer Akguel; 61 kg – Muenir Recep Inglewood, CA Nanzad; Official – Orgil Oyunbat; Official – Nyam Aktas; 65 kg – Safa Aksoy; 70 kg - Mustafa Castillo; 70 kg – Andy Yoan Moreno González; Luvsanzundui; Official – Murun Agvaan-Ochir; April 11-12 74 kg – Livan López Azcuy; 86 kg – Reineris Kaya; 74 kg – Soener Demirtas; 86 kg - Serdar AZERBAIJAN Official – Bold Batkhuu; Official – Sainbayar Boeke; 97 kg – Ibragim Bolukbasi; 125 kg – Tanju Pool A: Cuba Mongolia Russia United States Salas Pérez; 97 kg – Javier Cortina Lacerra; 125 The Azerbaijan team is led by 2012 Olympic gold medalist Togrul Oyuntungalag; Television – Bat-Eredene Gemici; Coach – Abdullah Cakmar; Coach – kg – Eduardo Mesa Rabí; Coach – Julio Mendieta Narmandakh; Doctor – Nasanbat Chuluun ; Asgarov at 70 kg, who was also a 2010 World silver medalist. 2014 World Cuellar; Coach – Bárbaro Morgan Soroa; Referee Efraim Kahraman; Coach – Ibrahim Belukbasi; champion and 2014 European champion Haji Aliev will compete at 65 Referee – Sereeter Tserendagva; Referee – Referee – Rafet Unver; Doctor - Emrah Ozbek; – Franklin Suárez Brito; Doctor – Andrés Ríos Molomjamts Ishdorj; Coach – Purevbaatar kg. Two-time World bronze medalist Yabrail Hasanov, who was fifth at Hernández Official – Ahmet Erishmg Pool B: Azerbaijan Belarus Iran Turkey the 2012 Olympic Games, will compete at 74 kg. 2011 World bronze Oyunbileg; Coach – Bayarsaikhan Tsend; Coach – medalist Ashraf Aliev is also listed at 74 kg on the roster. 2011 World Radnaabazar Chultemsuren; Coach – Bekhbayar bronze medalist Jamaladdin Magomedov, who competes at 125 kg, is also Erdenebat; Coach – Nomin Batbold competing in Los Angeles. Azerbaijan placed fourth at the 2014 World Championships. EVENT PAIRINGS AND MATCH SCHEDULES AZERBAIJAN ROSTER IRAN UNITED STATES 57 kg – Yashar Aliev; 57 kg – Makhmud Magomedov; 60 kg – Jalal RUSSIA The United States team is led by 2012 Olympic SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Suleymanov; 65 kg – Haji Aliev; 65 kg – Magomed Muslimov; 66 kg – Murad The Iran team is led by 2012 Olympic bronze medalist at 125 kg, who was The Russian team is led by 2010 World gold medalist Jordan Burroughs at 74 kg. SESSION I Suleymanov; 70 kg – Togrul Asgarov; 70 kg – Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev; 74 kg Burroughs won World titles in 2011 and 2013 – Ashraf Aliev; 74 kg – Yabrail Hasanov; 86 kg – Aleksander Gostiev; 86 kg also second at the 2014 World Championships. University champion Yuri Belonovski at 97 kg. 3:00 P.M. POOL A USA VS CUBA Two-time World champion Reza Yazdani, who 2012 World University bronze medalist Akhmed and a World bronze in 2014. , a – Magomedhadshi Khatiev; 86 kg – Gamzat Osmanov; 125 kg – Jamaladdin 2012 Olympic champion and 2011 World bronze POOL B IRAN VS BELARUS Magomedov; Coach – Saypulla Absaidov; Coach – Firdovsi Umudov; Official also boasts two World bronze medals, is at Magomedov is on the roster at 86 kg. Murshid 97 kg. 2013 World champion , a Mutalimov, who was fifth in the 2011 Junior medalist, is at 97 kg. 2012 Olympic bronze 4:30 P.M. POOL A RUSSIA VS MONGOLIA – Tarana Ali-Zada; Official – Namig Aliyev; Official – Azhdar Jafarov; Medical medalist is expected to compete – Rauf Aliyev; Masseur – Seymur Ismayilov; Referee – Asif Shiraliyev three-time World medalist, competes at 57 kg. World Championship, is expected to compete POOL B AZERBAIJAN VS TURKEY World silver medalist Sayed Ahmad Mohammadi at 61 kg. Nine of the Russian athletes have at 61 kg. Two-time World bronze medalist and at 65 kg is also on the roster. Iran placed second won a medal at the Grand Prix, 2012 Olympian is on the team 6:15 P.M. OPENING CEREMONIES at the 2014 World Championships and is the considered the toughest open tournament in at 125 kg. The United States team features a defending Freestyle World Cup champions. the world. Six of these athletes were medalists number of other past World Team members, SESSION II at the most recent Ivan Yarygin, held in January Tony Ramos at 57 kg, at 65 kg, 6:30 P.M. POOL A RUSSIA VS USA IRAN ROSTER 2015. Israel Kasumov, who wrestles at 70 kg, Nick Marable at 70 kg and Ed Ruth at 86 kg. The POOL B IRAN VS TURKEY BELARUS 57 kg – Hassan Rahimi; 57 kg – Younes won the 2014 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix and United States tied with for ninth place Sarmastdzaji; 61 kg – Behnam Ehsanpoor; 61 kg placed third in the 2015 Yarygin Grand Prix. at the 2014 World Championships. 8:0 0 P. M . POOL A MONGOLIA VS CUBA The Belarus team is led by 2011 World champion and 2012 Olympian – Iman Sadeghikoukandeh; 65 kg – Sayed Ahmad , on the team at 65 kg/143.3 UNITED STATES ROSTER POOL B BELARUS VS AZERBAIJAN Alexei Shemarov at 125 kg. Two-time World bronze medalists Ali Shabanov Mohammadi; 70 kg – Charati; lbs., was second in the 2009 Ivan Yarygin Grand 57 kg – Tony Ramos; 57 kg – Andrew at 74 kg, also a 2012 Olympian, will also wrestle in Los Angeles. 2014 74 kg – Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh; 74 kg – Peyman Prix and third in the 2014 Ivan Yarygin. Russia Hochstrasser; 61 kg – Coleman Scott; 61 kg – World bronze medalist Vladislav Andreev, a 2013 European silver medalist, Yarahmadi; 86 kg – Alireza Karimimachiani; 86 placed first at the 2014 World Championships. SUNDAY, APRIL 12 is at 57 kg. Belarus features four past World Team members, Azimat kg – Meisam Mostafa Joukar; 97 kg - Mohammad Matt McDonough; 65 kg – Brent Metcalf; 65 kg – SESSION III Nurikov at 65 kg, Asadulla Lachinov at 57 kg, Georgi Kaliev at 61 kg and Hossei Askari Mohammadian; 97 kg – Reza RUSSIA ROSTER ; 70 kg – Nick Marable; 70 kg – James Ivan Yankouski at 97 kg. Ibragim Saidov at 97 kg won the respected Ivan Yazdani; 125 kg – Komeil Ghasemi; 125 kg – 57 kg– Viktor Rassadin; 57 kg– Omak Syuryun; Green; 74 kg – Jordan Burroughs; 74 kg – Moza 11:00 A.M. POOL A USA VS MONGOLIA Yarygin Grand Prix in 2015. Anton Afansyev, a 2012 Junior World bronze Parviz Hadi 61 kg– Murshid Mutalimov; 61 kg– Egor Fay; 86 kg – Ed Ruth; 86 kg – Clayton Foster; 97 POOL B TURKEY VS BELARUS medalist, is listed at 70 kg. Belarus placed seventh at the 2014 World Ponomarev; 65 kg– ; 65 kg – Jake Varner; 97 kg – Dustin Kilgore; 125 kg Championships. kg– Akhmed Chakaev; 70 kg– Magomedrasul – Tervel Dlagnev; 125 kg – Zach Rey; Freestyle 12:30 P.M. POOL A AZERBAIJAN VS IRAN Team Leader – Andy Barth; Honorary Captain POOL B CUBA VS RUSSIA Gazimagomedov; 70 kg– Israil Kasumov; 74 kg– BELARUS ROSTER Isa Daudov; 74 kg– Yakub Shikhghamalov; 86 kg– – Dan Henderson; National Freestyle Coach 2:00 P.M. FIFTH-PLACE MATCH 57 kg – Vladislav Andreev; 57 kg – Asadulla Lachinov; 61 kg – Georgi Kaliev; Dauren Kurugliev; 86 kg– Akhmed Magomedov; – Bruce Burnett; Assistant National Freestyle 61 kg – Dzianis Maksimov; 65 kg – Azamat Nurikov; 65 kg – Viktor Sereda; SEVENTH-PLACE MATCH 97 kg– Yuri Belonovski; 97 kg– Asret Shogenov; Coach – ; Assistant National Freestyle 70 kg – Anton Afanasyev; 74 kg – Ali Shabanov; 74 kg – Zhan Safian; 86 MONGOLIA 125 kg– Arslanbek Aliev; 125 kg– Timur Kotsoev; Coach – ; Nutritionist – Jennifer kg – Aleksandr Hushtynl; 86 kg – Rasul Tikhaev; 97 kg – Yusup Jalilav; 97 Team Leader – Christakis Alexandridis; Coach – Gibson; Massage Therapist – Amy Murry; SESSION IV kg – Ibragim Saidov; 97 kg – Ivan Yankouski; 125 kg – Aleksey Shemarov; The Mongolian team is led by 2014 World bronze Trainer - Darryl Miller; Referees – William Grant medalist Nyam-Ochir Enkhsaikhan at 61 kg, who Magomed Guseinov; Coach – Magomed Azizov 4:15 P.M. THIRD-PLACE MATCH Head Coach – Anatoly Beloglazov; Coach – Yauhen Arodz; Coach – Ruslan ; Coach – Vladimir Modosian; Coach – Zhaa and Danny Blackshear; Team delegates – Les 5:45 P.M. FIRST-PLACE MATCH Sheikhau; Medical – Aliaksandr Zhukouski; Masseur – Siarhei Lapitski was also fifth at the 2013 World Championship. Gutches, Cody Bickley, Jaimie McNab 2012 Olympians Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan at Umarov; Referee – Noravard Arustamian; Doctor Hotter Than a Cuban Cigar, Welcome Back! by Rich Perelman Cuba is justly famous for cigars, rum, boxing and baseball. But today’s Cuban wrestling squad might be more dangerous than all of them. With the lifting of trade restrictions recently by the United States, this year’s “Welcome to America” is indeed special. Long respected but not as celebrated as the United States, Russia or Iran on the mats, a resurgent Cuban team will return to the United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup after missing last year’s event. It’s a rare Los Angeles appearance for a Cuban national team of any kind. In fact, it might be the first visit by a Cuban national team of any kind to the Los Angeles area since the FINA Men’s MADISON, WI Water Polo World Cup, held at Pepperdine University in Malibu in 1983. There, the Cubans finished eighth, but will shoot for a much JUNE 12-14, 2015 higher finish on the mats at The Forum.

Photo: John Sachs, tech-fall.com That’s because Cuba climbed to fifth in the team standings at the 2014 United World Wrestling World Championships, winning four by Rich Perelman U.S.A.’S Missing Link? medals in the freestyle competition: silver medalist Reineris Salas In the movies, the hero swoops in at the end to save the day. In (86 kg/189 lbs.), and bronze medal winners Yowlys Bonne Champions in this event will represent the USA in the the town where movies get made, defending Olympic champion (61 kg/134 lbs.), Livan Lopez (74 kg/163 lbs.) and Javier Cortina 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, NV September 7-12, 2015. Jake Varner could be the difference in an American victory story. (97 kg/213 lbs.). All are expected to complete in Los Angeles. Unable to wrestle in the 2014 Freestyle World Cup due to injury, The trip to Los Angeles will be the first appearance for Cuba in Tickets available at ticketmaster.com Varner couldn’t help his teammates as the U.S. lost a tight, 5-3 the World Cup since the 2011 matches in , Russia in Search Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center or call 1.800.745.3000 decision to Iran that relegated the to an eventual third- 2011, where they finished fifth. But the Cubans are no stranger For Team/Group discount tickets (10 or more), place finish. Now healthy and top-ranked among Americans at to World Cup success, having won the title in 2005 in , 97 kg (213 lbs.), the former Penn State All-American could be the , finished as runners-up in 2006 and 2008, and have contact Madison Ticket Agency at 608.267.3995 catalyst for the United States to get to the Gold Medal match in been third seven times. For more event, schedule and hotel information this team competition here at the 2015 World Cup. please visit www.theworldteamtrials.com. They’ve even had good success on U.S. soil in the World Cup, last The U.S. only needs a little help. Last year’s World Cup match competing in the event in the U.S. in Fairfax, Virginia in 2000, with Iran was the highlight of the tournament, and only the finishing fourth. In 12 total World Cup appearances in the U.S., Americans won more than two matches from the eventual titlists. the Cuban team has finished third six times, for a podium batting Back for more in 2015 are last year’s Iran-beaters Jordan average of .500. May 5-9, 2015 Burroughs (the 2012 Olympic gold medalist at 74 kg/163 lbs. and The highly-publicized thaw in political relations between the Brent Metcalf at 65 kg/143 lbs. and two stars who lost on late countries may mean that Cuban officials pack a few more cigars 1-0 heart-breakers: Nick Marable at 70 kg/154 lbs. and 2014 World or mini-bottles of Club rum to hand out as gifts at The Championships bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev at 125 kg/275 lbs. Forum, but there will be no cordiality on the mats. Varner will take his place at 97 kg, with fellow Penn State alum Ed Ruth at 86 kg/189 lbs. and new World Cup entries Tony Ramos at 57 kg/125.5 lbs. and Coleman Scott at 61 kg/134 lbs. It doesn’t take too much imagination to see where this American team could succeed where last year’s fell short. But the road to meeting Iran will be tougher, as the U.S. must first get out of pool competition against Russia, which won the 2014 Las Vegas, Nevada World Championships team title. But this is the U.S.’s opportunity South Point Hotel & Spa to change perceptions, which can change the reality of American wrestling fortunes. “Our athletes train to win, to be the best,” said new U.S. national freestyle coach Bruce Burnett. “Not to have a good showing or be respectable,” he insisted, “we compete to win and anytime our WATCH AMERICA’S BEST COMPETE athletes compete for the United States and represent the Red, White and Blue, it should be special and the stakes should be « Kids (Greco-Roman, Freestyle & Folkstyle) higher.” « Cadets (Greco-Roman, Freestyle & Folkstyle) A win over two days at The Forum would signal American « Western Juniors Regionals/Boys and Girls (Freestyle & Greco-Roman) wrestling is on the rise, right on time for the World Championships « UWW Junior Nationals (Freestyle & Greco-Roman) —on American soil in Las Vegas this September—with qualifying spots at stake for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. « Seniors National Championships (Men’s & Women’s Freestyle & Greco-Roman) « Veterans National Championships (Freestyle & Greco-Roman) For Varner, an American World Cup win in Los Angeles would be a special joy. The native of Bakersfield was a two-time California State wrestling champion and was named “Outstanding Wrestler” For event info, tickets and accommodations please in 2005. A homecoming weekend that leads to the first U.S. World Cup title since 2003 would be sweet indeed. visit: www.usawrestlingevents.com Photo: John Sachs, tech-fall.com