Feb 27

WRESTLING: Numerous international medalists expected at Pan American Championships in Colorado Springs, Feb. 29-March 2

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - When competition at the 2008 Pan American Wrestling Championships kicks off on February 29 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, some of the world's top competitors will take to the mat. This includes athletes who have won Olympic and World medals, as well as those who have won at previous Pan American Games and Championships. Among the athletes expected in the field are six past Olympic medalists. In men's freestyle, 1996 Olympic silver medalist Giuvi Sissaouri of Canada will compete at 60 kg/132 lbs. and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Ivan Fundora of Cuba will compete at 74 kg/163 lbs., 2000 Olympic bronze medalist Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. In women's freestyle wrestling, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Tonya Verbeek of Canada will wrestle at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda of the United States will enter at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. In men's Greco-Roman, 2004 Olympic silver medalist Roberto Monzon of Cuba will enter at 60 kg/132 lbs. This year, the competition holds special significance, as a qualifying event for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. There will be 18 spots in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics up for grabs during the three-day competition. In all three styles, the top athlete in each weight class from a nation which has not already qualified for the Olympics will qualify that nation to compete in the Beijing Games. Only nations that competed at the 2007 World Championships in each weight class are eligible to qualify through the Pan American Championships. A 2005 and 2007 World champion, Mijial Lopez of Cuba, will wrestle at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. in men's Greco-Roman. Lopez also won a World silver medal in 2006. 2001 World freestyle champion Giuvi Sissaouri of Canada will compete at 60 kg/132 lbs. Also in men's freestyle, 1998 World champion Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba will compete at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Rodriguez has also been a four-time World silver medalist and a World bronze medalist. Sissaouri has also won a World silver medal and two World bronze medals. Other past World medalists in the field include: