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Home , Aaron Pico, Bill Zadick, Brent Metcalf, Carol Huynh, Hassan Yazdani, Komeil Ghasemi

Press, Radio and Television FACT PACK (Information current as of 7 April 2015)

Schedule:

C Saturday 11 April Session I: 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Pool matches C Saturday 11 April Session II: 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Pool matches (Opening Ceremonies will be held at 6:15 p.m.)

C Sunday 12 April Session III: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Pool-5th-7th place matches C Sunday 12 April Session IV: 4:15 p.m.-7:15 p.m. Championship matches

All matches held at The Forum, presented by Chase, Inglewood,

At A Glance

The 43rd Men’s Freestyle will be held in on 11-12 April 2015 at The Forum, presented by Chase, in Inglewood, California:

Format: The World Cup field includes eight nations, which will be split into two pools of four. Each team will compete, in eight weight classes, against the other three teams in its pool.

The winning teams of each pool will compete for first place; second place teams in each pool will compete for third place; third place teams in each pool will compete for fifth place, and fourth place teams in each pool will compete for seventh place.

Teams: Nations were invited based on the team standings at the 2014 World Championships:

Pool A: , , , . Pool B: , , , .

Venue: Last year’s (2014) Men’s Freestyle World Cup was the first sporting event to be held in the newly-renovated Forum, one of the world’s great arenas. Site of the 1984 Olympic basketball competition, it re-opened on January 15, 2014 after its purchase and renovation by Madison Square Garden Company. Originally opened December 30, 1967 as the home for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, it has a capacity of 18,000+ for concerts, but will seat approximately 8,500 for the World Cup.

Organization: The local organizing committee has been structured, benefitting from the talent and membership of Beat the Streets – Los Angeles, California USA and other Los Angeles-based organizations.

The Honorary Chair of the 2015 Freestyle World Cup is 1999 world 130 kg (286 lbs.) champion and three-time NFL Super Bowl champion Stephen Neal.

Technical preparations are under the direction of USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Public information: www.WrestlingWorldCup.com Press, Radio and Television FACT PACK

Table of Contents

At a Glance...... page 2

Media Services at the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Cup...... 5

1. About the World Cup...... 7 1.01 About the Men’s Freestyle World Cup...... 7 1.02 Men’s Freestyle World Cup Technical Summary...... 7 1.03 Selection of Los Angeles as host site...... 9 1.04 World Cup Honorary Chair Stephan Neal...... 9 1.05 Venue: The Forum...... 10 1.06 Television...... 10 1.07 World Cup Sponsors...... 10 1.08 United World Wrestling (UWW)...... 11 1.09 USA Wrestling...... 12

2. Event pairings and match schedules...... 13

3. Match-ups...... 14 3.01 57 kg and 61 kg...... 14 3.02 65 kg and 70 kg...... 16 3.03 74 kg and 86 kg...... 18 3.04 97 kg and 125 kg...... 20

4. Team Resumes...... 22 4.01 Team participation and placement summary...... 22 4.02 Azerbaijan...... 22 4.03 Belarus...... 23 4.04 Cuba...... 24 4.05 Iran...... 24 4.06 Mongolia...... 25 4.07 Russia...... 25 4.08 Turkey...... 26 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 4

4.09 United States...... 27

5. World Cup History...... 29 5.01 Year-by-year...... 29 5.02 Other United World Wrestling World Cups...... 30 5.03 United World Wrestling World Championships...... 31

6. United World Wresting 2015 Major Events Schedule...... 32

This media Fact Pack contains information current to 7 April 2015. It was compiled by Rich Perelman and produced in support of the 2015 United World Wrestling Men’s Freestyle World Cup, hosted by USA Wrestling. For additional information, please contact:

GARY ABBOTT USA Wrestling Director of Communications Mobile Telephone: (719) 659-9637 [email protected]

BOB CONDRON United World Wrestling Press Officer Mobile Telephone: (719) 332-7245 [email protected]

Media Services at the 2015 United World Wrestling Men’s Freestyle World Cup

Support services for news media covering the World Cup will be arranged at the competition venue, The Forum, in Inglewood, California. Please note that special parking privileges are not available and that the standard parking fee in The Forum lot is $25 U.S. per day.

Competition seats: Journalists will be accommodated on the floor level, close to the mats on raised platforms with a total of 45 seats available. Electrical power and password-protected Wi-Fi services will be available.

Photographers will have reserved shooting positions at both end of the mat, with a total of 30 seats. Additional positions will also be available upon request.

Interviews and Mixed Zone: A mixed zone area has been arranged along the hallway leading from the competition area to the team dressing areas.

Media Workroom: A workroom with 36 seats for journalists and 12 places for photographers is available in the Crew Catering Room (no. 1216) on the floor level. A formal interview set-up will be arranged at the front of the room and electrical power and Wi-Fi service will be available in this room.

Results: Summary results of all matches will be available in the media workroom.

Television Restrictions: The follow restrictions on videography of the World Cup will be in effect:

The World Cup is a property of United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. USA Wrestling has been selected to serve as the host for the World Cup.

The host broadcasters for the World Cup are Universal Sports Network (USN) and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN), which reserve the rights to the event for the United States. These are the only two networks which have secured the rights to broadcast full matches from the World Cup on their networks.

For all other television networks who are accredited for the World Cup, below are the usage rules for footage from this event.

(1) Accredited journalists may use up to two minutes of action footage from each dual meet for highlight coverage of the pool competition matches at the World Cup, as well as the fifth- place, seventh-place and ninth-place matches at the World Cup.

(2) No television footage may be shot of the wrestling action from the first-place and third place dual matches except by the rights-holders mentioned above (USN, NBCSN).

(3) Media may shoot as much video of the crowd and the arena as they require.

(4) Media may shoot as much interview video of the athletes, coaches and event participants as they require. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 6

In addition, the only organizations who have the rights to stream live action video online from the World Cup are United World Wrestling and USA Wrestling.

All media recording video and receiving accreditation for the World Cup, agree to these broadcast restrictions and sign an agreement to that effect. Violations will be grounds for revocation of credentials and other remedies available at law. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 7

1. About the Freestyle World Cup

1.01 ABOUT THE UNITED WORLD WRESTLING MEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD CUP Although world championships for individuals date back to 1904, a team vs. team world championship was not held until the first FILA Men’s Freestyle World Cup in 1973.

Held in Toledo (Ohio), USA, four teams – , , the United States and the U.S.S.R. – competed in a dual-meet format, matching team against team. The Soviets won the inaugural event over the U.S., and won the first seven World Cups in a row.

The event was held in Toledo for 13 of its first 14 editions, and 17 of the first 19, before moving around the globe. Through the first 41 editions from 1973-2013, nine nations have hosted the annual event at least once: Azerbaijan (2), Canada (1), Iran (4), Mongolia (1), Russia (5), Spain (1), the U.S. (26) and (1).

Although only four teams participated in the first World Cup, the event was expanded to occasionally include five teams starting in 1979, sometimes to six teams beginning in 1984, eight teams in 2009, 10 teams in 2011 and back to eight teams for 2015. Participating teams are now selected primarily by their finish in the previous year’s Freestyle World Championships. In 2014, the top ten teams at the World Championships in , Uzbekistan included 1. Russia, 62 points; 2. Iran, 45; 3. Azerbaijan, 36; 4. Turkey, 33; 5. Cuba, 33; 6. Mongolia, 29; 7. Belarus, 28; 8. , 23; 9. and United States, 20.

The success of the Men’s Freestyle World Cup has led to the introduction of parallel events for Men’s Greco-Roman wrestling beginning in 1980 and Women’s Freestyle, beginning in 2001.

1.02 MEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD CUP TECHNICAL SUMMARY The United World Wrestling Men’s Freestyle World Cup features a dual-meet format, in which two teams face off in individual bouts over eight weight classes:

57 kg (125 lbs.) 65 kg (143 lbs.) 74 kg (163 lbs.) 97 kg (213 lbs.) 61 kg (134 lbs.) 70 kg (154 lbs.) 86 kg (189 lbs.) 125 kg (275 lbs.)

(Please note that the number of weight classes in the World Cup are greater than in the , as United World Wrestling – like all international federations – are limited in the number of contestants in their . Olympic men’s freestyle competition for 2016 includes six classes: 57 kg [125 lbs.], 65 kg [143], 74 kg [163], 86 kg [189], 97 kg [213] and 125 kg [275].)

The rules of wrestling significantly changed in May 2013, as part of wrestling's efforts to improve the sport. Each match consists of two three-minute periods with a break in-between. The match score is cumulative over both periods. Wrestlers can score from 1-5 points on individual holds, and multiple scores can occur throughout the match. A wrestler wins if he scores more points than his opponent at the end of the match. There is no overtime for a tie, as criteria is used to determine the winner. A match is stopped for a , where a wrestler's shoulders are held to the mat. A match can also be stopped for a “technical superiority,” when one wrestler has scored 10 more points than the opponent. Matches can also be stopped by disqualification. Wrestlers are strongly encouraged to be aggressive throughout the match. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 8

Scoring of points is indicated by the referee, who will raise his/her fingers to signify the number of points awarded. The referee and judge must agree on the scoring in each match; if not, the mat chairman will help to coordinate the final result. Video reviews are not used except for a coach’s challenge (one per match).

In the case of a tied score, there are a series of mandatory technical criteria to be reviewed which will indicate the winner of the bout.

The competition mat is shown below:

(Metric conversions: 12 m ~ 39 feet C 9 m ~ 29½ feet C 7 m ~ 23 feet C 1.5 m ~ 5 feet C 10 cm ~ 4 inches)

For the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup, two competition mats will be arranged on the floor of The Forum on a raised platform.

The eight teams are divided into two pools, headed by the top two teams (Iran and Russia) from the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Championships. The other teams were assigned to pools by draw. Each of the four teams in each pool will be matched against each other, with the placewinners in each pool meeting the same placer from the opposite pool (1 vs. 1 for first, 2 vs. 2 for third, 3 vs. 3 for fifth and 4 vs. 4 for seventh).

Each dual match victory in pool competition counts for one point. If, after all individual bouts in a dual match, the score of the match is even (4-4), the winning nation will be determined by the following criteria, in the following order:

(1) The most victories by fall, default, forfeit or disqualification; (2) The most victories by superiority; (3) The most technical points scored during the individual matches; (4) The fewest technical points given during the individual matches; (5) The outcome of the last individual match. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 9

World Cup competitors must be a minimum of 18 years old in 2015. All members of the top three teams will receive medals and diplomas. Each participant will receive a souvenir and a diploma.

1.03 SELECTION OF LOS ANGELES AS HOST SITE United World Wrestling (then known as FILA, the International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles) awarded the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Cup to USA Wrestling and the U.S. federation selected Los Angeles as the site for the event. This was, in part, because of the strong wrestling history and activity in the area, including highly-active clubs such as the Beat The Streets – Los Angeles program for at-risk youth, California USA Wrestling and the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club.

The enthusiastic turn-out for the event, organized in just a few months, assured all parties that a return engagement was merited for 2015.

Los Angeles hosted a highly-successful event – United4Wrestling – to promote the re-inclusion of wrestling into the program at the Los Angeles Sports Arena on May 19, 2013 in front of a vibrant crowd of 3,500 spectators. Male and female wrestlers from Canada, Russia and the United States competed in 13 matches in the second leg of a coast-to-coast wrestling promotion that began four days earlier in a temporary venue in New York’s Grand Central Terminal with matches between Iran, Russia and the U.S. before 700 spectators.

Los Angeles, of course, has a glorious Olympic history, having hosted the hugely-successful 1932 and 1984 Olympic Games, and has signaled its interest in hosting again in 2024. Wrestling events at the Games of the X were held at the still-standing Olympic Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles (now a Korean Christian church); at the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, wrestling was held at the Anaheim Arena.

1.04 WORLD CUP HONORARY CHAIR STEPHEN NEAL NFL pro football star and World champion wrestler Stephen Neal has been named honorary chair of the 2015 Freestyle .

Neal is a native Californian, who placed fourth in the California State Wrestling Championships for San Diego High School, and won a Junior National freestyle title for Team California. He went on to compete for Cal-State Bakersfield, where he was a two-time NCAA champion, three time NCAA finalist and four-time NCAA All-American, competing at heavyweight.

In 1999, Neal won a gold medal for the United States in in the 130 kg (286 lbs.) class at the World Championships, held in Ankara, Turkey. He was also a 1999 champion in Winnipeg, Canada. He was also a U.S. Nationals champion, a runner-up at the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and winner of a number of medals in foreign tournaments. Neal has been inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

After completing his wrestling career, Neal pursued a career in professional football, even though he did not play college football. Neal played 10 years as a guard for the NFL New England Patriots before retiring in 2011. Neal was part of three Super Bowl winning teams in 2002, 2004, and 2005 and has three Super Bowl rings.

He understands the pride that California takes in its wrestling, something he would like to see on display at The Forum both days of the World Cup. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 10

“We have a lot of pride within California wrestling. We are one of the better wrestling states in the nation. We have had great champions come from California. We need to show our support for this event so we can keep bringing back the best wrestling to our state. We need to show our California pride by showing up in a big way.”

1.05 VENUE: THE FORUM The 2014 Freestyle World Cup was the first sporting event to be held in the newly-renovated Forum, one of the world’s great arenas. Site of the 1984 Olympic basketball competition, it re-opened on January 15, 2014 with a concert by The Eagles, after its purchase and renovation by Madison Square Garden Company.

Originally opened December 30, 1967 as the home for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League and Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association, it has a capacity of 18,000+ for concerts, but will seat approximately 8,500 for the World Cup.

For more, please visit www.FabulousForum.com.

1.06 TELEVISION The 2015 wrestling season on U.S. television begins with the Freestyle Wrestling World Cup, on Universal Sports and the NBC Sports Network:

C Sunday, 12 April: Freestyle World Cup bronze-medal match Universal Sports 7:30 p.m. EDT C Sunday, 12 April: Freestyle World Cup gold-medal match NBCSN 9:00 p.m. EDT

The announcers for the NBC Sports Network gold-medal match broadcast will be Jason Knapp and 2000 Olympic Greco-Roman champion Rulon Gardner (120 kg/265 lbs.). Announcing the Universal Sports Network bronze-medal broadcast are Jason Bryant and 2000 Olympic Freestyle champion (76 kg/168 lbs.).

1.07 WORLD CUP SPONSORS MusclePharm is the presenting sponsor of the 2015 United World Wrestling Men’s Freestyle World Cup and a partner of the UWW. MusclePharm also recently signed a long-term deal to sponsor USA Wrestling. The Denver, Colorado-based nutritional supplement company is committed to growing the sport at both the grass roots and elite level.

MusclePharm® is a leading international, award-winning sports nutrition company offering vitamins and nutritional supplements which are available in more than 110 countries and available in 35,000+ retail outlets, including Bodybuilding.com, Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods, 24 Hour Fitness, Walgreens, Bally's, GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and Vitamin World. The company's brands are MusclePharm®, Arnold 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 11

Schwarzenegger™ Series, and FitMiss™. The comprehensive lines of clinically-proven, safe and effective nutritional supplements are developed through a six-stage research process that utilizes the expertise of leading nutritional scientists, doctors and universities.

For more information, visit www.musclepharmcorp.com.

Additional partners for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup include UFC Gyms and the Semnani Family Foundation.

1.08 UNITED WORLD WRESTLING (UWW) Organized in 1905, the international federation governing worldwide wrestling is known by its new name of United World Wrestling (UWW), adopted in September 2014.

The federation has previously been known as FILA, an acronym for its French-language full name of Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées or International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles. It is affiliated with 179 national federations from around the world, and is based in Corsier-sur-Vevey, .

The UWW creates the rules and format of international competition, in multiple styles (including Freestyle, Greco Roman, Beach and ) for wrestlers in multiple age groups. These include Cadets (ages 16- 17), Juniors (18-20), Seniors (20+) and Veterans (35+).

On 16 January 2015, changes to the presentation of the sport were announced. Most obvious will be the change from the traditional wrestling mat colors of yellow and red, which were first adopted for the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, to dark blue and orange. The colors were chosen as part of a larger effort to improve the online and television viewership experience. Competitor and referee uniforms are also being changed.

< United World Wrestling President Nenad Lalovic: Nenad Lalovic, from Belgrade, Serbia , was elected as the seventh president of FILA (now United World Wrestling) at a special Congress in on 18 May 2013. Lalovic had been serving as Acting President since 16 February 2013, after the resignation of FILA President Raphael Martinetti. His initial term concluded in September 2014, when he was elected for a full, six-year term as federation president.

The 56-year old Lalovic joined the FILA Bureau in 2006 and was re-elected in 2012. He's the former president of the Serbian Wrestling Federation and served on the bureaus of the European Wrestling Federation and the Serbian Olympic Committee.

Under his leadership, wrestling regained its place on the Olympic sports program on 8 September 2013, when the IOC voted to restore wrestling as an Olympic sport for 2020 and 2024.

< UWW Governance: The federation is governed by the United World Wrestling Bureau, which includes the president, four vice presidents, the Secretary General, 12 other elected members (with two seats reserved for women), the Presidents of the five Continental Committees, and an Honorary President who advises but has no vote. The President, the Vice Presidents, and the Secretary General make up the Executive Committee. Current members: 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 12

President: Bureau members: Continental Presidents: Nenad Lalovic SRB Zamel Sayyaf Al Shahrani QAT Dr. Kim Chang-kew KOR Namig Aliyev AZE Francisco Eduardo Lee Lopez GUA Vice Presidents: Karl-Martin Dittmann GER Fouad Meskout MAR Ahmet Ayik TUR Pedro Gama Filho BRA John Tarkong, Jr. PLW Stan Dziedzic USA Theodoros Hamakos GRE Tzeno Tzenov BUL Mikhail Mamiashvili RUS Kim Ik-jong KOR Akhroldjan Ruziev UZB Marina Pellicone ITA Athletes Commission: Natalia Yariguina RUS Hideaki Tomiyama JPN CAN General Secretary: Daulet Turlykhanov KAZ Michel Dusson FRA Rodica Maria Yaksi TUR

The UWW delegate for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup is Francisco Eduardo Lee Lopez of Guatemala, president of the Pan American Council of Associated Wrestling Styles.

To learn more about United World Wrestling, visit these sites online:

C Website: www.unitedworldwrestling.org C Facebook: www.facebook.com/unitedworldwrestling C Instagram: http://instagram.com/unitedworldwrestling C Twitter: https://twitter.com/wrestling C YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/wrestlingtv

1.09 USA WRESTLING USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and the international Wrestling federation (UWW). Simply put, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs.

The United States is the all-time leader in Olympic wrestling medals with 125, including 50 gold, 42 silver and 33 bronze medals.

Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, its president is James Ravannack, and the Executive Director is Rich Bender.

Dan Henderson, a two-time Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling and a mixed martial arts (MMA) star with the UFC® , will serve as the Honorary Captain of the 2015 U.S. Freestyle World Cup Team. Henderson competed on the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team, including a 10th-place finish at the 1992 Barcelona Games. He was also seventh in the 1997 World Championships. He was a top Greco-Roman wrestler on the national and international level for more than a decade, winning three U.S. Open national titles and numerous medals at international events.

Henderson won a silver medal at the 1996 Greco-Roman World Cup, and enjoyed the exciting format of the dual meet competition. “It was a different type of tournament, and a little more fun to compete in. You were able to watch the rest of your teammates compete and support them as a team. You also were able to interact more with the other teams than at other events,” said Henderson.

For more information, please visit www.TheMat.com. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 13

2. Event Pairings and Match Schedules

Saturday, 11 April

C Session I: 3:00 p.m.: (Pool A) Mat A: USA vs. Cuba (Pool B) Mat B: Iran vs. Belarus 4:30 p.m. : (Pool A) Mat A: Russia vs. Mongolia (Pool B) Mat B: Azerbaijan vs. Turkey

C Session II: 6:15 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies 6:30 p.m.: (Pool A) Mat A: USA vs. Russia (Pool B) Mat B: Iran vs. Turkey 8:00 p.m.: (Pool A) Mat A: Mongolia vs. Cuba (Pool B) Mat B: Belarus vs. Azerbaijan

Sunday, 12 April

C Session III: 11:00 a.m.: (Pool A) Mat A: USA vs. Mongolia (Pool B) Mat B: Turkey vs. Belarus 12:30 p.m.: (Pool B) Mat A: Azerbaijan vs. Iran (Pool A) Mat B: Cuba vs. Russia 2:00 p.m.: Mat A: Fifth-place match Mat B: Seventh-place match

C Session IV: 4:15 p.m.: Mat A: Third-place match 5:45 p.m.: Mat A: First-place match, followed by Award Ceremonies

Seating Chart for the 2015 Freestyle World Cup at The Forum

All-Session tickets for $60 for General Admission and $85 for Preferred Seating. Single-Day tickets, on either Saturday or Sunday, are $35 for General Admission and $55 for Preferred Seating. Fees apply for tickets purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 14

3. Match-ups

This section showcases the entrants in each weight class, by pool, with thumbnail listings of their outstanding competitive results in international championship competitions.

3.01 MATCH-UPS: 57 KG & 61 KG

57 kg C 125 lbs 57 kg C 125 lbs 61 kg C 134 lbs. 61 kg C 134 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

CUBA AZERBAIJAN CUBA AZERBAIJAN Rodriguez Yashar Aliev Maikel Antonio Jalal Suleymanov (Age 31: 2 Nov 1983) (Age 25: 31 Aug 1989) Perez Gonzalez (Age 28: 15 Aug 1986) 2015 World Rank: 4 3) 2013 European Champs (Age 31: 12 May 1983) at 60 kg 5) 2009 European Champs 8) 2009 World Champs 3) 2009 European Junior 1) 2009 Pan Amer. Champs Results at 60 kg: 5) 2008 World Junior 3) 2006 Pan Amer. Champs 3) 2014 World Champs 3) 2008 European Junior 1) 2012 Pan Amer. Champs 3) 2006 European Cadet 3) 2011 Pan Amer. Games 1) 2005 Pan Amer. Champs Makmud Magomedov 1) 2002 Pan Amer. Junior (Age 28: 28 Aug 1986) 3) 2011 European Champs 1) 2010 European Champs 1) 2006 European Junior (Wrestled for Russia)

MONGOLIA BELARUS MONGOLIA BELARUS Bekhbayar Erdenebat Vladislav Andreev Nyam-Ochir Enkhsaikhan Georgi Kaliev (Age 22: 13 Aug 1992) (Age 27: 4 May 1987) (Age 30: 10 Mar 1985) (Age 20: 23 Oct 1994) 2015 World Rank: 4 2015 World Rank: 7 2015 World Rank: 5 1) 2013 European Junior 5) 2014 World Champs 3) 2014 World Champs 3) 2014 World Champs 9) 2013 World Champs 7) 2014 European Champs 5) 2013 World Champs Dzianis Maksimov 1) 2012 World Junior 2) 2013 European Champs 3) 2007 Asian Champs (Age 18: 27 Sep 1996) 7) 2012 Asian Champs 3) 2011 European Champs 5) 2014 World Junior 5) 2011 World Junior 3) 2009 European Champs Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan 5) 2013 World Cadet 3) 2008 World University Ch. (Age 27: 23 Mar 1988) 3) 2012 European Cadet Nomin Batbold 3) 2004 European Cadets 3) 2011 Asian Champs 5) 2011 European Cadet (Age 22: 4 Feb 1993) 2015 World Rank: 13 Asadulla Lachinov 3) 2014 (Age 28: 17 Apr 1986) 2) 2013 World Junior 10) 2013 World Univ. Games 3) 2013 Asian Champs 2) 2010 Asian Junior 9) 2009 Asian Junior

Tosgtbaatar Damdinbazar (Age 27: 2 Jan 1988) 2015 World Rank: 10 2) 2014 Asian Champs 5) 2011 Asian Champs 5) 2010 Asian Games 10) 2009 Asian Champs 3) 2008 World Junior 1) 2007 Asian Junior 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 15

57 kg C 125 lbs 57 kg C 125 lbs 61 kg C 134 lbs. 61 kg C 134 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

RUSSIA IRAN RUSSIA IRAN Viktor Rassadin Murshid Mutalimov Behnam Ehsanpoor (Age unknown) (Age 25: 15 Jun 1989) (Age 24: 22 Jan 1991) (Age 23: 16 Feb 1992) 2015 World Rank: 8 2015 World Rank: 15 2015 World Rank: 18 Omak Syuryun 3) 2014 World Champs 5) 2011 World Junior 2) 2013 World Univ. Games (Age unknown) 1) 2013 World Champs 1) 2007 European Cadet 1) 2012 World Junior 8) 2012 Olympic Games 8) 2010 World Junior 1) 2012 Asian Champs Egor Ponomarev 2) 2008 Asian Cadet 3) 2011 World Champs (Age 23: 27 May 1991) 3) 2007 Asian Cadet 10) 2010 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 9 5) 2010 Asian Games 10) 2012 World University Ch. Iman Sadeghikoukandeh 7) 2010 Asian Champs (Age 20: 13 Jan 1995) 10) 2009 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 8 1) 2009 World Junior 1) 2014 World Junior 3) 2009 Asian Champs 1) 2014 Asian Junior 7) 2011 World Cadet Younes Sarmastdzaji 2) 2011 Asian Cadet (Age 21: 4 Apr 1994) 2015 World Rank: 16 1) 2013 World Junior 3) 2011 World Cadet 5) 2013 Asian Junior

UNITED STATES TURKEY UNITED STATES TURKEY Sezer Akguel Muenir Recep Aktas (Age 24: 2 Feb 1991) (Age 26: 27 Apr 1988) (Age 28: 19 Apr 1986) (Age 25: 26 Jun 1989) 2015 World Rank: 19 8) 2014 European Champs 5) 2013 Pan Amer. Champs 9) 2014 European Champs 5) 2009 World Junior 3) 2013 World Champs 3) 2012 Olympic Games 5) 2013 European Champs 2) 2009 World Champs 3) 2010 Pan Amer. Champs 7) 2013 World Univ. Games Andrew Hochstrasser 5) 2007 World Champs 3) 2012 World University Ch. (Age 27: 5 Jun 1986) 2) 2007 World Junior Matt McDonough 1) 2006 European Cadet 3) 2007 European Junior (Age 24: 12 May 1990) 3) 2014 World University Ch. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 16

3.02 MATCH-UPS: 65 KG & 70 KG

65 kg C 143 lbs. 65 kg C 143 lbs. 70 kg C 154 lbs. 70 kg C 154 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

CUBA AZERBAIJAN CUBA AZERBAIJAN Franklin Maren Castillo Haji Aliev Andy Yoan Togrul Asgarov (Age 28: 9 Mar 1987) (Age 23: 21 Apr 1991) Moreno Gonzalez (Age 22: 17 Sep 1992) 1) 2013 Pan Amer. Champs 2015 World Rank: 12 (Age 29: 19 May 1985) 1) 2012 Olympic Games 1) 2014 World Champs 3) 2007 World Champs 2) 2010 World Champs 1) 2014 European Champs 2) 2007 Pan Amer. Games 1) 2012 European Champs 3) 2013 World Univ. Games 1) 2005 Pan Amer. Champs 1) 2011 World Junior 8) 2013 European Champs 2) 2010 World Junior 2) 2011 European Junior 1) 2009 European Cadet 2) 2008 European Cadet 1) 2008 European Cadet

Magomed Muslimov Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev (Age 21: 24 Jul 1993) (Age 26: 20 Jul 1988) 2015 World Rank: 4 2015 World Rank: 12 2) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 1) 2014 European Champs 3) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 2) 2011 European Junior 8) 2011 World Junior

Murad Suleymanov (Age 18: 18 Jul 1996) 9) 2014 World Champs 2) 2014 European Junior

MONGOLIA BELARUS MONGOLIA BELARUS Mandakhnaran Ganzorig Azamat Nurikov Iderkhuu Gantulga Anton Afanasyev (Age 28: 11 May 1986) (Age 24: 26 Mar 1990) (Age 23: 31 Mar 1992) (Age 23: 11 Sep 1991) 2015 World Rank: 6 5) 2014 World Champs 3) 2012 Asian Junior 9) 2014 European Champs 3) 2014 World Champs 5) 2014 European Champs 7) 2011 Asian Junior 8) 2012 World University Ch. 3) 2013 World Champs 5) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 10) 2010 Asian Junior 3) 2012 World Junior 3) 2013 World Univ. Games 3) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 8) 2011 European Junior 2) 2013 Asian Champs Ankhbayar Batchuluun 5) 2009 World Junior 1) 2010 Asian Games Viktor Sereda (Age 26: 4 Jul 1988) 3) 2009 European Junior 2) 2009 Asian Champs (Age 23: 26 Jun 1991) 3) 2011 Asian Champs

Batmagnai Batchuluun Batzorig Buyanjav (Age 25: 23 Jul 1989) (Age 32: 9 Mar 1983) 2015 World Rank: 20 9) 2014 Asian Champs 3) 2014 Asian Champs 5) 2010 World Champs 7) 2014 Asian Games 8) 2008 Olympic Games 3) 2014 World University Ch. 8) 2007 World Champs 9) 2012 World University Ch. 1) 2006 World University Ch. 5) 2009 World Junior 3) 2006 Asian Games 2) 2006 Asian Champs 7) 2005 World Champs 5) 2005 Asian Champs 3) 2004 Asian Champs 7) 2004 World University Ch. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 17

65 kg C 143 lbs. 65 kg C 143 lbs. 70 kg C 154 lbs. 70 kg C 154 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

RUSSIA IRAN RUSSIA IRAN Sayed Ahmad Mohammadi Magomedrasul Charati (Age 18: 14 Mar 1996) (Age 23: 11 Jan 1992) Gazimagomedov (Age 20: 28 Dec 1994) 2015 World Rank: 2 (Age 34: 8 Apr 1981) 2015 World Rank: 10 Akhmed Chakaev 2) 2014 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 13 1) 2014 World Junior (Age 27: 21 Mar 1988) 1) 2014 Asian Champs 1) 2014 Asian Junior 2015 World Rank: 16 Israil Kasumov 2) 2011 World Cadet 7) 2014 Grand Prix Final (Age 24: 2 Jun 1990) 3) 2011 Asian Cadet 3) 2012 Grand Prix Final 2015 World Rank: 8 3) 2011 Grand Prix Final 7) 2014 European Champs 2) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2007 European Cadets

UNITED STATES TURKEY UNITED STATES TURKEY Safa Aksoy Nick Marable Mustafa Kaya (Age 28: 14 Jul 1986) (Age 23: 1 Jan 1993) (Age 27: 7 May 1987) (Age 22: 6 Jun 1992) 2015 World Rank: 8 8) 2009 European Cadet 2015 World Rank: 11 2015 World Rank: 13 (65 kg) 3) 2009 Pan Am Champs 3) 2013 Pan Amer. Champs 1) 2011 Pan Am Games (Results at 65 kg) 5) 2014 World Champs (Age 18: 23 Sep 1996) 1) 2013 Mediterranean Gms 2015 World Rank: 17 (Age 22: 19 Dec 1992) 3) 2012 World University Ch. 2) 2014 World Junior 2) 2014 World University Ch. 3) 2012 World Junior 1) 2013 World Cadet (63 kg) 1) 2012 European Junior 5) 2011 World Junior 3) 2011 European Junior 9) 2010 World Junior 3) 2009 European Cadet 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 18

3.03 MATCH-UPS: 74 KG & 86 KG

74 kg C 163 lbs 74 kg C 163 lbs. 86 kg C 189 lbs. 86 kg C 189 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

CUBA AZERBAIJAN CUBA AZERBAIJAN Livan Lopez Azcuy Ashraf Aliev Reineris Salas Perez Aleksandr Gostiev (Age 33: 24 Jan 1982) (Age 28: 29 Jul 1986) (Age 27: 17 Mar 1987) (Age 28: 24 Jan 1987) 2015 World Rank: 5 8) 2014 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 2 2) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2014 World Champs 8) 2012 Olympic Games 2) 2014 World Champs 3) 2012 European Champs 1) 2014 Central Amer. & 3) 2011 World Champs 1) 2014 Central Amer. & Caribbean Games Caribbean Games Magomedhadhi Khatiev 2) 2013 World Champs Yabrail Hasanov 1) 2014 Pan Amer. Champs (Age 23: 17 Jan 1992) 3) 2012 Olympic Games (Age 25: 2 Feb 1990) 2) 2013 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 19 2) 2012 Pan Amer. Champs 2015 World Rank: 9 2) 2011 World Cup 3) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2011 World Champs 2) 2014 European Champs 3) 2010 World Champs 5) 2012 World Junior 1) 2011 Pan Amer. Games 2) 2013 World Univ. Games 1) 2010 Pan Amer. Champs 5) 2012 Olympic Games 1) 2009 Pan Amer. Champs Gamzat Osmanov 3) 2011 World Champs 3) 2007 World Jr. Champs (Age 21: 14 Oct 1993) 1) 2011 European Champs 3) 2006 World Jr. Champs 2015 World Rank: 12 3) 2010 World Champs 1) 2006 Pan Amer. Champs 7) 2014 European Champs 1) 2010 European Champs 3) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 2) 2009 European Champs 1) 2009 European Cadet 2) 2008 World Junior (Wrestled for Russia) 3) 2008 European Champs 3) 2006 European Champs

MONGOLIA BELARUS MONGOLIA BELARUS Lkhagvadorj Dugarsuren Ali Shabanov Uitumen Orgodol Aleksandr Hushtyn (Age 32: 28 Apr 1982) (Age 25: 25 Aug 1989) (Age 25: 29 Apr 1989) (Age 21: 16 Aug 1993) 1) 2006 World University Ch. 3) 2014 World Champs 2015 World Rank: 8 2015 World Rank: 9 10) 2005 Asian Champs 5) 2014 European Champs 8) 2013 World Champs 5) 2013 World Junior 4) 2004 World University Ch. 3) 2013 World Champs 7) 2013 Asian Champs 2) 2013 European Junior 9) 1999 World Champs 9) 2013 European Champs 1) 2012 European Junior 10) 2012 Olympic Games Usukhbaatar Purevee 5) 2011 European Junior Unurbat Purevjav 5) 2011 European Champs (Age 27: 3 Mar 1988) 5) 2010 Youth Olympic Gms (Age 27: 15 Feb 1988) 8) 2014 Asian Games 2) 2014 Asian Champs Zhan Safian Rasul Tikhaev 3) 2011 Asian Champs (Age 29: 27 Dec 1985) (Age 23: 16 Aug 1991) 7) 2010 Asian Games 8) 2012 World University Ch. 3) 2010 Asian Champs 10) 2009 World Champs 10) 2009 Asian Champs 2) 2008 Asian Champs 3) 2008 World Junior 2) 2007 Asian Junior 3) 2006 Asian Junior 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 19

74 kg C 163 lbs 74 kg C 163 lbs. 86 kg C 189 lbs. 86 kg C 189 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

RUSSIA IRAN RUSSIA IRAN Isa Daudov Peyman Yarahmadi Dauren Kurugliev Alireza Karimimachiani (Age 25: 10 Sep 1989) (Age 21: 6 Apr 1994) (Age 22: 2 Jul 1992) (Age 21: 21 Mar 1994) 2) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 2015 World Rank: 12 2015 World Rank: 17 2015 World Rank: 13 3) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2013 World Junior 3) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 1) 2014 World Junior 3) 2012 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2013 Asian Junior 5) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 1) 2013 Asian Junior 3) 2011 World Cadet 2) 2011 World Cadet Yakub Shikhghamalov 1) 2011 Asian Cadet Akhmed Magomedov 1) 2011 Asian Cadet (Age unknown) (Age 28: 1 Jan 1987) Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh 2015 World Rank: 16 Meisam Mostafa Joukar (Age 24: 22 Oct 1990) 1) 2014 Intercontinental Cup (Age 30: 29 Jan 1985)\ 5) 2011 Asian Champs 1) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 2015 World Rank: 4 2) 2010 Asian Junior 3) 2012 World University Ch. 1) 2014 Asian Games 1) 2007 Asian Cadet 1) 2014 Asian Champs 1) 2012 World University Ch. 2) 2008 Asian Champs 2) 2007 Asian Champs

UNITED STATES TURKEY UNITED STATES TURKEY Soener Demirtas Ed Ruth Serdar Boeke (Age 26: 8 Jul 1988) (Age 23: 25 Jun 1991) (Age 24: 21 Oct 1990) (Age 28: 17 Sep 1986) 2015 World Rank: 2 3) 2014 European Champs 8) 2007 World Junior 9) 2013 World Champs 3) 2014 World Champs 5) 2012 European Champs 1) 2013 Mediterranean Gms. 1) 2014 Pan Amer. Champs 8) 2012 World University Ch. Clayton Foster 2) 2013 World University Ch. 1) 2013 World Champs 2) 2010 World Junior (Age 26: 8 Apr 1988) 5) 2012 European Champs 1) 2012 Olympic Games 2) 2010 European Junior 2015 World Rank: 10 3) 2010 World University Ch. 1) 2011 World Champs 3) 2008 World Junior 1) 2011 Pan Am Games 10) 2008 World Junior

Moza Fay (Age 29: 25 Jul 1985) 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 20

3.04 MATCH-UPS: 97 KG & 125 KG

97 kg C 213 lbs 97 kg C 213 lbs. 125 kg C 275 lbs. 125 kg C 275 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

CUBA AZERBAIJAN CUBA AZERBAIJAN Javier Cortina Lacerra (to be announced) Eduardo Mesa Rabi Jamaladdin Magomedev (Age 27: 12 Apr 1987) (Age 24: 11 Nov 1990) (Age 25: 14 Mar 1989) 2015 World Rank: 7 1) 2014 Central Amer. & 2015 World Rank: 11 3) 2014 World Champs Caribbean Games 3) 2013 European Champs 1) 2014 Central Amer. & 1) 2011 Pan Amer. Champs 3) 2011 World Champs Caribbean Games 9) 2009 World Jr. Champs 3) 2011 European Champs 1) 2014 Pan Amer. Champs 2) 2009 World Junior 1) 2013 Pan Amer. Champs 1) 2009 European Junior 3) 2012 Pan Amer. Champs

MONGOLIA BELARUS MONGOLIA BELARUS Khuderbulga Dorjkhand Yusup Jalilav Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan Aleksey Shemarov (Age 22: 7 May 1992) (Age 29: 3 Nov 1985) (Age 30: 3 Dec 1984) (Age 32: 16 Sep 1982) 2015 World Rank: 9 2015 World Rank: 9 2015 World Rank: 7 8) 2014 World Champs Ibragim Saidov 7) 2014 World Champs 5) 2014 World Champs 1) 2014 Asian Champs (Age 30: 9 Mar 1985) 5) 2014 Asian Games 8) 2012 Olympic Games 3) 2014 Asian Games 2015 World Rank: 12 2) 2013 Asian Champs 1) 2011 World Champs 3) 2013 World Univ. Games 5) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 7) 2012 Olympic Games 2) 2011 European Champs 3) 2013 Asian Champs (Competed for Russia 3) 2012 Asian Champs 3) 2012 Asian Champs through 2012) 5) 2011 World Champs 8) 2012 World University Ch. 3) 2011 Asian Champs 7) 2012 World Junior Ivan Yankouski 2) 2010 Asian Games 9) 2011 Asian Champs (Age 27: 25 Aug 1987) 2) 2010 Asian Champs 3) 2014 European Champs 9) 2009 Asian Champs 8) 2013 World Univ. Games 3) 2008 Asian Champs 3) 2012 European Champs 5) 2007 Asian Champs 7) 2011 European Champs 7) 2006 Asian Games

Zolboo Natsagsuren (Age 24: 14 Dec 1990) 2015 World Rank: 13 2) 2014 Asian Champs 3) 2011 Asian Champs 7) 2010 Asian Junior 8) 2008 Asian Junior 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 21

97 kg C 213 lbs 97 kg C 213 lbs. 125 kg C 275 lbs. 125 kg C 275 lbs. Pool A Pool B Pool A Pool B

RUSSIA IRAN RUSSIA IRAN Yuri Belonovski Mohammad Hossei Timur Kotsoev (Age 27: 6 Feb 1988) Askari Mohammadian (Age 23: 4 Aug 1991) (Age 27: 27 Feb 1988) 2015 World Rank: 13 (Age: 23: 1 Jan 1992) 3) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 2015 World Rank: 2 1) 2012 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2014 World Champs 2) 2014 World Champs 1) 2010 World University Ch. (competing at 86 kg) Arslanbek Aliev 1) 2014 Asian Champs 7) 2010 European Champs 3) 2013 World Univ. Games (Age 31: 23 Sep 1983) 10) 2013 World Champs 1) 2009 Maccabiah Games 4) 2011 World Junior 2) 2013 Intercontinental Cup 3) 2012 Olympic Games 1) 2008 European Junior 2) 2011 Asian Champs 1) 2005 European Cadets Reza Yazdani 3) 2008 World Junior (Age 30: 25 Aug 1984) 3) 2007 World Junior Asret Shogenov 2015 World Rank: 4 1) 2007 Asian Junior (Age 23: 20 Nov 1991) 9) 2014 World Champs 3) 2014 Intercontinental Cup 1) 2014 Asian Games Parviz Hadi 1) 2013 World Champs (Age 27: 16 Nov 1987) 5) 2012 Olympic Games 2015 World Rank: 10 1) 2011 World Champs 1) 2014 Asian Games 1) 2010 Asian Games 3) 2013 World Univ. Games 3) 2007 World Champs 1) 2013 Asian Champs 3) 2006 World Champs 2) 2012 World University Ch. 1) 2006 Asian Games 1) 2012 Asian Champs

UNITED STATES TURKEY UNITED STATES TURKEY Ibrahim Bolukbasi Tanju Gemici (Age 29: 24 Mar 1986) (Age 24: 1 Dec 1990) (Age 29: 19 Nov 1985) (Age 25: 9 Dec 1991) 1) 2012 Olympic Games 2) 2010 European Junior 2015 World Rank: 8 3) 2011 World Champs 1) 2010 Mediterranean Ch. 3) 2014 World Champs 1) 2011 Pan Amer. Games 5) 2013 World Champs 9) 2009 World Champs 5) 2012 Olympic Games 1) 2012 Pan Amer. Champs Dustin Kilgore 1) 2011 Pan Am Games (Age 25: 28 May 1989) 5) 2011 World Champs 2) 2014 World University Ch. 1) 2010 Pan Amer. Champs 9) 2012 World University Ch. 3) 2009 World Champs 1) 2012 Pan Amer. Champs 1) 2008 World University Ch.

Zach Rey (Age 26: 27 Mar 1989) 2015 World Rank: 15 1) 2014 Pan Amer. Champs 1) 2013 Pan Amer. Champs 8) 2010 World University Ch. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 22

4. Team Resumes

4.01 PARTICIPATING TEAMS IN PRIOR MEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD CUPS This chart summarizes the participation of the teams in the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup in prior editions of the event. Every competing nation has made at least three World Cup appearances.

No nation has competed in all 42 prior editions of the Men’s Freestyle World Cup. The closest is the United States, which has participated in 37 of 42. Russian fans will note that if USSR and Russian participation was combined, the total would be 40, missing only 1992 (after the was dissolved on 26 December 1991) and 1999.

No. of First Most Recent 1st place 2nd-place 3rd-place Team Appearances Appearance Appearance finishes finishes finishes

Azerbaijan 6 2004 2013 2 1 2

Belarus 3 2010 2013 Best finish: 4th in 2013

Cuba 20 1978 2011 1 3 7

Iran 20 1974 2014 5 11 1

Mongolia 6 1975 2014 0 2 1

Russia 21 1993 2014 6 7 5

(USSR) 19 1973 1991 15 4 0

Turkey 9 1990 2014 Best finish: 4th in 1992

United States 37 1973 2014 13 14 7

4.02 TEAMS: AZERBAIJAN Azerbaijan makes its seventh appearance in the Men’s Freestyle World Cup in 2015. It qualified by placing fourth in the men’s Freestyle team ranking at the 2014 World Championships.

< Projected line-up: 57 kg/125 lbs.: Yashar Aliev, or Gamzat Osmanov Makhmud Magomedov 125 kg/275 lbs.: Jamaladdin Magomedov 60 kg/132 lbs.: Jalal Suleymanov 65 kg/145 lbs.: Haji Aliev or Magomed < Officials: Muslimov or Murad Coach: Saypulla Absaidov Suleymanov Coach: Firdovsi Umudov 70 kg/154 lbs.: Togrul Asgarov, or Official: Tarana Ali-Zada Ruslan Dibirgadzhiyev Official: Namig Aliyev 74 kg/163 lbs.: Ashraf Aliev, or Yabrail Official: Azhdar Jafarov Hasanov Medical: Rauf Aliyev 86 kg/189 lbs.: Aleksander Gostiev or Masseur: Seymur Ismayilov Magomedhadshi Khatiev or Referee: Asif Shiraliyev 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 23

< Recent World Cup and World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 3rd, 36 points Medals: 2 (1 Gold) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 11th, 15 points Medals: 1 (2 Silver) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 3 (2 Gold, 1 Bronze) C 2011 World Championships: Team: 4th, 37 points Medals: 4 (1 Gold, 3 Bronze) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 2nd, 42 points Medals: 4 (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) Did not compete C 2013 World Cup: () 9th C 2012 World Cup: () 2nd C 2011 World Cup: () 3rd C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 3rd

4.03 TEAMS: BELARUS Belarus earned its place in the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup with a seventh-place finish in the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Championships. This will be its fourth World Cup appearance.

< Projected line-up: 57 kg/125 lbs.: Vladislav Andreev or 97 kg/213 lbs.: Yusup Jalilav or Ibragim Asadulla Lachinov Saidov or Ivan Yankouski 61 kg/134 lbs.: Georgi Kaliev, or Dzianis 125 kg/275 lbs.: Aleksey Shemarov Maksimov 65 kg/145 lbs.: Azamat Nurikov, or Viktor < Officials: Sereda Head Coach: Anatoly Beloglazov 70 kg/154 lbs.: Anton Afanasyev Coach: Yauhen Arodz 74 kg/189 lbs.: Ali Shabanov, or Zhan Coach: Ruslan Sheikhau Safian Medical: Aliaksandr Zhukouski 86 kg/189 lbs.: Aleksandr Hushtyn, or Rasul Massage Tikhaev Therapist: Siarhei Lapitski

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 7th, 28 points Medals: 2 (2 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 12th, 15 points Medals: 1 (1 Bronze) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 0 C 2011 World Championships: Team: 8th, 22 points Medals: 2 (1 Gold, 1 Bronze) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 14th, 10 points Medals: 1 (1 Bronze)

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) Did not compete C 2013 World Cup: (Tehran) 4th C 2012 World Cup: (Baku) 8th C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkata) Did not compete C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 5th 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 24

4.04 TEAMS: CUBA Cuba will make its 20th appearance in the Men’s Freestyle World Cup, and the first since 2011. It qualified by finishing fifth in the team standings at the 2014 World Championships.

< Projected line-up: 57 kg/125 lbs.: To be named 97 kg/213 lbs.: Javier Cortina Lacerra 61 kg/134 lbs.: Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez, or 125 kg/275 lbs.: Eduardo Mesa Rabí Maikel Antonio Perez González < Officials: 65 kg/145 lbs.: Franklin Maren Castillo C Luis de la Portilla de la Peña 70 kg/154 lbs.: Andy Yoan Moreno C Julio Mendieta Cuellar González C Barbaro Morgan Soroa 74 kg/163 lbs.: Livan López Azcuy C Andres Nicolas Ríos Hernandez 86 kg/189 lbs.: Reineris Salas Perez C Franklin Suarez Brito

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 5th, 33 points Medals: 4 (1 Silver, 3 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 7th, 19 points Medals: 2 (2 Silver) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 1 (1 Bronze) C 2011 World Championships: Team: 11th, 12 points Medals: 0 C 2010 World Championships: Team: 3rd, 38 points Medals: 3 (3 Bronze)

C 2011-2014 World Cup: Did not compete C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkata) 5th C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) Did not compete

4.05 TEAMS: IRAN Iran returns to the Men’s Freestyle World Cup as the three-time defending champions in the event. Iran has won five World Cup titles in all, in 1996 (in Tehran), 2006 (in Sari, IRI), in 2012 (in Baku, AZE), in Tehran in 2013 and in Los Angeles in 2014. It qualified for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup by finishing second in the team standings at the 2014 World Championships. The Iranians have been either first or second in the last six World Cups and eight of the last nine.

< Projected line-up: 57 kg/125 lbs.: Hassan Rahimi, or Younes 86 kg/189 lbs.: Alireza Karimimachiani or Sarmastdzaji Meisam Mostafa Joukar 61 kg/134 lbs.: Behnam Ehsanpoor, or Iman 97 kg/213 lbs.: Mohammad Hossei Askari Sadeghikoukandeh Mohammadian or 65 kg/145 lbs.: Sayed Ahmad Mohammadi Reza Yazdani 70 kg/154 lbs.: Hassan Yazdani Charati 125 kg/275 lbs.: Komeil Ghasemi or Parviz 74 kg/163 lbs.: Peyman Yarahmadi, or Hadi Morteza Rezaei Ghaleh

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 2nd, 45 points Medals: 5 (3 Silver, 2 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 1st, 46 points Medals: 5 (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 3 (1 Silver, 2 Bronze) 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 25

C 2011 World Championships: Team: 2nd, 41 points Medals: 4 (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 4th, 27 points Medals: 2 (1 Silver, 1 Bronze)

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) 1st C 2013 World Cup: (Tehran) 1st C 2012 World Cup: (Baku) 1st C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkata) 2nd C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 2nd

4.06 TEAMS: MONGOLIA Mongolia qualified for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup by finishing sixth in the 2014 World Championships. It will be Mongolia’s sixth World Cup appearance.

< Projected line-up: < Officials: 57 kg/125 lbs.: Bekhbayar Erdenebat, or Team Leader: Dagvadorj Dolgorsuren Nomin Batbold or Official: Naranbaatar Bayaraa Tsogtbaatar Damdinbazar Official: Baskhuu Aduuch 61 kg/134 lbs.: Nyam-Ochir Enkhsaikhan, or Official: Burgedaa Nanzad Nemekhbayar Batsaikhan Official: Orgil Oyunbat 65 kg/145 lbs.: Mandakhnaran Ganzorig or Official: Nyam Luvsanzundui Batmagnai Batchuluun Official: Murun Agvaan-Ochir 70 kg/154 lbs.: Iderkhuu Gantulga, or Official: Bold Batkhuu Ankhbayar Batchuluun or Official: Sainbayar Oyuntungalag Batzorig Buyanjav Coach: Purevbaatar Oyunbileg 74 kg/163 lbs.: Lkhagvadorj Dugarsuren, or Coach: Bayarsaikhan Tsend Unurbat Purevjav Coach: Radnaabazar Chultemsuren 86 kg/189 lbs.: Uitumen Orgodol, or Coach: Bekhbayar Erdenebat Usukhbaatar Purevee Coach: Nomin Batbold 97 kg/213 lbs.: Khuderbulga Dorjkhand Television: Bat-Eredene Narmandakh 125 kg/275 lbs.: Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan, or Doctor: Nasanbat Chuluun Zolboo Natsagsuren Referee: Sereeter Tserendagva Referee: Molomjamts Ishdorj

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 6th, 29 points Medals: 2 (2 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 6th, 23 points Medals: 2 (1 Silver, 1 Bronze) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 2 (1 Silver, 1 Bronze) C 2011 World Championships: Team: did not score C 2010 World Championships: Team: 13th, 10 points Medals: 1 (1 Gold)

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) 5th C 2010-2013 World Cup: Did not compete

4.07 TEAMS: RUSSIA Russia enters the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup as six-time champions, their last coming back-to-back in 2010 and 2011. They qualified for the 2015 event by finishing first in the team standings at the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Championships. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 26

< Projected line-up: 57 kg/126 lbs.: Viktor Rassadin, or Omak 125 kg/276 lbs.: Arslanbek Aliev, or Timur Syuryun Kotsoev 61 kg/134 lbs.: Murshid Mutalimov, or Egor Ponomarev < Officials: 65 kg/143 lbs.: Zaurbek Sidakov, or Team Leader: Christakis Alexandridis Akhmed Chakaev Official: Zoinbek Abaev 70 kg/154 lbs.: Magomedrasul Official: Alan Abaev Gazimagomedov, or Israil Official: Marat Dzobelov Kasumov Coach: Magomed Guseinov 74 kg/163 lbs.: Isa Daudov, or Yakub Coach: Magomed Azizov Shikhghamalov Coach: Vladimir Modosian 86 kg/190 lbs.: Dauren Kurugliev, or Coach: Zhaa Umarov Akhmed Magomedov Referee: Noravard Arustamian 97 kg/214 lbs.: Yuri Belonovski, or Asret Doctor: Umar Tebiev Shogenov Massage: Evgeniy Koroliov

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team, 1st, 62 points Medals: 6 (5 Gold, 1 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 2nd, 44 points Medals: 3 (2 Gold, 3 Bronze) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 4 (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze) C 2011 World Championships: Team: 1st, 43 points Medals: 4 (2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 1st, 66 points Medals: 7 (4 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze)

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) 2nd C 2013 World Cup: (Tehran) 2nd C 2012 World Cup: (Baku) 4th C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkala) 1st C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 1st

4.08 TEAMS: TURKEY Turkey qualified for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup by finishing fourth in the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Championships. It will be the 10th appearance for Turkey in the Men’s Freestyle World Cup and fourth in succession.

< Projected line-up: < Officials: 57 kg/125 lbs. Sezer Akguel President: 61 kg/134 lbs. Muenir Recep Aktas Coach: Abdullah Cakmar 65 kg/143 lbs. Safa Aksoy Coach: Efraim Kahraman 70 kg/154 lbs. Mustafa Kaya Coach: Ibrahim Belukbasi 74 kg/163 lbs.: Soener Demirtas Referee: Rafet Unver 86 kg/189 lbs.: Serdar Boeke Doctor: Emrah Ozbek 97 kg/214 lbs.: Ibragim Bolukbasi Official: Ahmet Erishmg 125 kg/275 lbs.: Tanju Gemici 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 27

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team: 4th, 33 points Medals: 3 (1 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 10th, 18 points Medals: 2 (2 Bronze) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 0 C 2011 World Championships: Team: 10th, 13 points Medals: 1 (1 Silver) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 17th, 9 points Medals: 0

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) 7th C 2013 World Cup: (Tehran) 5th C 2012 World Cup: (Baku) 7th C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkata) Did not compete C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 7th

4.09 TEAMS: UNITED STATES The United States qualified for the 2015 Men’s Freestyle World Cup as the host country and with a ninth- place (tie) finish in the 2014 Men’s Freestyle World Championships. It’s the 37th World Cup for the U.S., the most of any nation. Moreover, the U.S. has hosted 26 of the previous 42 editions of the event, which debuted in Toledo, Ohio in 1973.The U.S. has won this event 13 times, but not since 2003.

Dan Henderson, a two-time Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling and a mixed martial arts (MMA) star with the UFC® , will serve as the Honorary Captain of the 2015 U.S. Freestyle World Cup Team.

Henderson competed on the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling team, including a 10th- place finish at the 1992 Barcelona Games. He was also seventh in the 1997 World Championships. He was a top Greco-Roman wrestler on the national and international level for more than a decade, winning three U.S. Open national titles and numerous medals at international events. He won a silver medal at the 1996 Greco-Roman World Cup.

< Projected line-up: James Green 57 kg/125.5 lbs.: Tony Ramos Willingboro, N.J. (Sunkist Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury Kids/Nebraska WTC) WC/Hawkeye WC) or 74 kg/163 lbs.: Jordan Burroughs Andrew Hochstrasser Lincoln, Neb. (Sunkist Boise, Idaho (Titan Mercury WC) Kids/Nebraska WTC) or 61 kg/134 lbs.: Coleman Scott Moza Fay Chapel Hill, N.C. (Titan Mercury Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. WC) or Army WCAP) Matt McDonough 86 kg/189 lbs.: Ed Ruth Iowa City, Iowa (Titan Mercury Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids) or WC/Hawkeye WC) Clayton Foster 65 kg/143 lbs.: Brent Metcalf Laramie, Wyo. (GRIT Iowa City, Iowa (New York Athletics/Cowboy WC) AC/Hawkeye WC) or 97 kg/213 lbs.: Jake Varner Aaron Pico State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion Whittier, Calif. (Titan Mercury WC) or WC) Dustin Kilgore 70 kg/154 lbs.: Nick Marable Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Morgantown, W.Va. (Sunkist Kids) Kids/Mountaineer RTC) or 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 28

125 kg/275 lbs.: Tervel Dlagnev Nutritionist: Jennifer Gibson Columbus, Ohio (Sunkist Colorado Springs, Colo. Kids/Ohio RTC) or Massage Zach Rey Therapist: Amy Murray Bethlehem, Pa. (Lehigh Valley Seattle, Wash. AC) Referee: William Grant < Officials: Inverness, Fla. Team Leader: Andy Barth Referee: Danny Blackshear San Marino, Calif. Oklahoma City, Okla. Nat’l Freestyle Team delegate: Coach: Bruce Burnett Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs, Colo. Team delegate: Cody Bickley Asst. Nat’l Colorado Springs, Colo. Freestyle Coach: Bill Zadick Team delegate: Jaimie McNab Colorado Springs, Colo. Colorado Springs, Colo. Asst. Nat’l Freestyle Coach: Brandon Slay Colorado Springs, Colo.

< Recent Men’s Freestyle World Cup and Men’s Freestyle World Championships results: C 2014 World Championships: Team, 10th, 20 points Medals: 2 (2 Bronze) C 2013 World Championships: Team: 5th, 25 points Medals: 1 (1 Gold) C 2012 Olympic Games: Medals: 3 (2 Gold, 1 Bronze) C 2011 World Championships: Team: 3rd, 38 points Medals: 2 (1 Gold, 1 Bronze) C 2010 World Championships: Team: 23rd, 5 points Medals: 0

C 2014 World Cup: (Los Angeles) 3rd C 2013 World Cup: (Tehran) 3rd C 2012 World Cup: (Baku) 3rd C 2011 World Cup: (Makhachkala) Did not compete C 2010 World Cup: (Moscow) 6th 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 29

5. World Cup History

5.01 YEAR-BY-YEAR The Men’s Freestyle World Cup was created in 1973 as a team championship matching the top national teams from major wrestling continents. It expanded to eight teams in 2009, to 10 teams in 2011, and back to eight teams for 2015, selected from the final team standings from the previous year’s World Championships.

Key to team abbreviations:

AFR African All-Stars GER RSA South Africa ARM HUN-KAZ - RUS Russia (1993-present) AUS Australia combination TUR Turkey AZE Azerbaijan IND India UKR Ukraine BLR Belarus IRI Iran URS USSR (1972-1992) BUL JPN Japan USA United States CAN Canada KAZ Kazakhstan UZB Uzbekistan CUB Cuba KOR Korea (South) WLD World All-Stars EGY MGL Mongolia GEO Georgia NGR Nigeria

Year Location 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

1973 Toledo, USA URS USA JPN CAN ------

1974 , ESP URS IRI BUL USA ------

1975 Toledo, USA URS MGL USA CAN ------

1976 Toledo, USA URS IRI USA CAN ------

1977 Toledo, USA URS USA JPN CAN ------

1978 Toledo, USA URS USA JPN CUB ------

1979 Toledo, USA URS USA JPN CAN AFR — — — — —

1980 Toledo, USA USA URS CAN JPN AFR — — — — —

1981 Toledo, USA URS USA MGL AFR ------

1982 Toledo, USA USA URS CAN KOR AFR — — — — —

1983 Toledo, USA URS USA CAN JPN AFR — — — — —

1984 Toledo, USA URS USA BUL CUB CAN AFR — — — —

1985 Toledo, USA URS USA JPN CUB CAN AFR — — — —

1986 Toledo, USA URS USA CUB MGL EGY AUS — — — —

1987 Ulan Bator, MGL URS MGL USA CUB JPN AUS — — — —

1988 Toledo, USA URS USA CUB KOR AUS — — — — —

1989 Toledo, USA URS USA CUB CAN KOR — — — — — 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 30

Year Location 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th

1990 Toledo, USA USA URS CUB TUR CAN NGR — — — —

1991 Toledo, USA USA URS KOR CUB CAN — — — — —

1992 Moscow, RUS CUB IRI USA TUR ------

1993 Chattanooga, USA USA RUS CAN CUB JPN — — — — —

1994 , CAN USA IRI RUS TUR CAN — — — — —

1995 Chattanooga, USA USA RUS TUR IRI CAN — — — — —

1996 Tehran, IRI IRI CUB UZB RUS — — — — — —

1997 Stillwater, USA USA RUS CUB GER CAN — — — — —

1998 Stillwater, USA RUS USA IRI CUB GER JPN — — — —

1999 Spokane, USA USA IRI CUB GER CAN — — — — —

2000 Fairfax, USA USA IRI RUS CUB UKR — — — — —

2001 Baltimore, USA USA IRI RUS TUR UZB — — — — —

2002 Spokane, USA USA RUS KOR MGL CAN GER — — — —

2003 Boise, USA USA WLD UKR RUS GER — — — — —

2004 Baku, AZE AZE RUS CUB CAN IRI RSA — — — —

2005 Tashkent, UZB CUB UKR RUS USA UZB IRI — — — —

2006 Sari, IRI IRI CUB UKR RUS GEO TUR — — — —

2007 , RUS RUS IRI UZB GEO USA UKR — — — —

2008 , RUS RUS CUB UZB UKR USA TUR — — — —

2009 Tehran, IRI AZE IRI RUS KAZ UKR GEO CUB UZB — —

2010 Moscow, RUS RUS IRI AZE UKR BLR USA TUR UZB — —

2011 Makhachkala, RUS RUS IRI AZE UZB CUB UKR HUN- KGZ GEO BUL KAZ

2012 Baku, AZE IRI AZE USA RUS KAZ GEO TUR BLR JPN BUL

2013 Tehran, IRI IRI RUS USA BLR TUR GEO JPN KAZ AZE BUL

2014 Los Angeles, USA IRI RUS USA UKR MGL IND TUR JPN GEO ARM

< Championships won: USSR 15, United States 13, Russia 6, Iran 5, Azerbaijan 2, Cuba 1.

< Host nations: United States 27 (Toledo 17), Russia 5, Iran 4, Azerbaijan 2, Canada 1, Mongolia 1, Spain 1, Uzbekistan 1.

5.02 OTHER WRESTLING WORLD CUPS UWW also holds World Cup competitions in Men’s Greco-Roman and Women’s Freestyle divisions:

2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 31

< Men’s Greco-Roman World Cup: C Annual event, first held in 1980;

C 2015 edition held in Tehran, IRI on February 19-20: 1st: AZE 2nd: RUS 3rd: IRI 4th: TUR 5th: HUN 6th: SWE 7th: GER 8th: ARM

C U.S. has hosted this event three times: at Oak Lawn, IL (1986), Albany, NY (1987), and Colorado Springs (1996).

< Women’s Freestyle World Cup: C Annual event, first held in 2001;

C 2015 edition held in St. Petersburg, Russia on March 7-8: 1st: JPN 2nd: RUS 3rd: MGL 4th: USA 5th: AZE 6th: UKR 7th: POL 8th: SWE

C U.S. has not hosted this event.

5.03 UNITED WORLD WRESTLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS The United States will host the 2015 World Championships at Las Vegas, NV from September 7-15 for the first time in the combined era (which started in 2004).

The U.S. has previously hosted the Wrestling World Championships nine times:

C Men’s Freestyle World Championships (first held in 1951) five times: 1962 and 1966 in Toledo, OH, 1979 in San Diego, CA, 1996 in Atlanta, GA and 2003 in New York, NY.

C Men’s Greco-Roman World Championships (first held in 1904) three times: 1962 and 1966 in Toledo and 1979 in San Diego.

C Women’s Freestyle World Championships (first held in 1987) once: 2003 in New York. 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup Press–Radio–Television FACT PACK, page 32

6. United World Wrestling 2015 Major Events Schedule

Dates Styles Competition City & Country (M-Fr = Men’s Freestyle C G-R = Greco-Roman C W-Fr = Women’s Freestyle C Bch = Beach)

Seniors Apr 11-12 M-Fr World Cup Los Angeles, USA Apr 18-19 M-Fr G-R W-Fr Mediterranean Championships , ESP Apr 24-26 M-Fr G-R W-Fr Pan American Championships Santiago, CHI

May 06-10 M-Fr G-R W-Fr Asian Championships Doha, QAT May 27-31 M-Fr G-R W-Fr African Championships Alexandria, EGY

Jun 13-18 M-Fr G-R W-Fr 1st Baku, AZE

Jul 15-18 M-Fr G-R W-Fr 17th Pan American Games Toronto, CAN

Sep 07-12 M-Fr G-R W-Fr World Championships Las Vegas, USA Sep 16-18 M-Fr G-R W-Fr 11th African Games Brazzaville, CGO

Nov 13-15 M-Fr G-R W-Fr South American Championships Buenos Aires, ARG Nov 27-29 M-Fr G-R W-Fr Golden Grand Prix Final Baku, AZE