Olympian Clarissa Chun hoping to receive another shot at gold at World Championships
Craig Sesker USA Wrestling
09/10/2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Women’s freestyle wrestler Clarissa Chun figured this might be it.

The 2008 season likely would be her last on the wrestling mat.

But after landing a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team and narrowly missing winning a medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, the 27-year-old Chun is giving serious consideration to wrestling another four-year cycle.

Chun, fifth at the 2008 Olympics at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., is expected to return to the mat next week for the U.S. World Team Trials for women’s freestyle wrestling. The event is set for Sept. 20 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

The winners in each of the seven weight classes from the World Team Trials will qualify for the World Championships for women, set for Oct. 11-13 in Tokyo, Japan. The women are holding a World Championships this year since only four of the seven international weights for women were contested in the Olympics.

“It’s a little tough mentally because nothing’s guaranteed – I have to try out again just to make the U.S. team,” Chun said. “But I want to compete in the Worlds – just to get that shot again. I’m lucky to have another opportunity so close to the Olympics.”

Wrestling the best of her career, Chun surprised many wrestling observers by knocking off Olympic and World medalist Patricia Miranda to make the U.S. Olympic Team in June.

Chun continued to wrestle well at the Olympics, storming into the semifinals opposite two-time World champion and Olympic silver medalist Chiharu Icho of Japan. Chun held the lead with just under a minute left in the match before Icho prevailed 1-0, 0-3, 1-1. Icho won by virtue of scoring last.

“That match really drives me,” Chun said. “It’s tough to even think about, but it’s something that definitely motivates me.”

Chun then lost to Olympic and World champion Irini Merlini of Ukraine in the bronze-medal match wearing the blue wrestling singlet.

Chun recently watched the match with Icho on NBC’s Olympic Website.

“I can’t do anything about it now, and I’m not making any excuses,” she said. “I did learn a lot from that match and that will help me. Hopefully, I will have better mat strategy and I will minimize the mistakes in the future.”

Since competing in the Olympics, Chun spent time visiting the school in Japan where she hopes to teach English to elementary students later this fall. She also spent a handful of days in her native Hawaii before recently returning to Colorado Springs, where she lives and trains.

She was back on the mat this week at the Olympic Training Center, preparing for the World Team Trials. Among the wrestlers Chun likely will have to battle for a spot on the U.S. World Team is Sara Fulp-Allen, who placed third at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

Chun is looking to compete in her second World Championships. She did not place at the 2000 World Championships.

“Even though I came up short of winning a medal, wrestling at the Olympics helped build my confidence,” she said. “I know I’m not that far away.”

The 2012 Olympic Games in London may seem far away, but it is something Chun is ready to lace up her wrestling shoes for.

“Being part of the Olympics, it was an amazing experience,” she said. “I really thought I was going to be done after this year. But because my Olympic experience was such a positive one, I want to do this again. Nothing is guaranteed, but I want to have another shot at being an Olympian. Sometimes I think, ‘Oh my gosh, four years is a long time’ but it’s worth it to be able to experience being in the Olympics.”

Ravannack re-elected as USA Wrestling president during Board of Directors meetings on Sept. 6
Gary Abbott USA Wrestling
09/07/2008

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - James Ravannack of Metairie, La. was re-elected as the president of USA Wrestling during the annual USA Wrestling Board of Directors meeting, held at the Crown Plaza hotel on Saturday, September 6.

Ravannack was elected to a second two-year term as the organization’s president.

“I am honored they have trust in our Board leaders,” said Ravannack. “The first two-year term was a learning experience. Hopefully, the knowledge I gained will help me in this term. Our organization is moving and growing. We have to rely upon the people on this Board to run it well.”

During the meetings, the Board also elected all of the officer positions for the organization. The other officers elected were:

First Vice President – Greg Strobel of Bethlehem, Pa.
Second Vice President – Van Stokes of Clarksville, Tenn.
Secretary – Rance Stein of Cashion, Okla.
Treasurer – Duane Morgan of Hollister, Calif.

Strobel, Stokes and Morgan were re-elected to positions that they held during the last two years. Stein will be serving as an officer of USA Wrestling for the first time.

Also elected were eight at-large Board members. Those who were selected by the Board to serve as at-large members were:
Bruce Baumgartner of Edinboro, Pa.
Dave Black of River Falls, Wis.
Chuck Elvin of Lenexa, Kan.
Bill Grant of Inverness, Fla.
Jim Keen of Ann Arbor, Mich.
Hank Porcher of W. Palm Beach, Fla.
Larry Sciacchetano of Baton Rouge, La.
Van Stokes of Clarksville, Tenn.

Elected to the Executive Committee were Bruce Baumgartner of Edinboro, Pa. and Rick Tucci of Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Elected to the Steering Committee were Ed Gould of Merrick, N.Y., Mark Reiland of Iowa City, Iowa and Dave Black of River Falls, Wis.

A number of other committee positions were elected during the meeting.

Long Range Planning Committee: Dave Black of River Falls, Wis., Ed Gould of Merrick, N.Y., Mike Juby of Hutchinson, Kan., Patricia Miranda of Colorado Springs, Colo., Duane Morgan of Hollister, Calif.,

Freestyle Sport Committee: Chris Bono of Ringgold, Ga., Sonny Greenhalgh of West Patterson, N.J., Archie Randall of Mustang, Okla., Greg Strobel of Bethlehem, Pa., Rick Tucci of Pembroke Pines, Fla., Owners of Resilite wrestling mats

Greco-Roman Sport Committee: Brad Ahearn of Colorado Springs, Colo., Al Kastl of Clinton Township, Mich., Sonny Greenhalgh of West Patterson, N.J., Mike Juby of Hutchinson, Kan., Jerry Reichs of Sioux City, Iowa

Women’s Sport Committee: Joe Corso of Metairie, La., Bill Grant of Inverness, Fla., Patricia Miranda of Colorado Springs, Colo., Archie Randall of Mustang, Okla., Marcie Van Dusen of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Freestyle Coach Selection Committee: Greg Strobel of Bethlehem, Pa., Rick Tucci of Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Greco-Roman Coach Selection Committee: Brandon McNab of Colorado Springs, Colo., Jerry Reichs of Sioux City, Iowa

Women’s Coach Selection Committee: Archie Randall of Mustang, Okla., Sally Roberts of Colorado Springs, Colo.

Ravannack appointed Strobel as the chairperson of the Freestyle Coach Selection Committee. He indicated that other chairperson assignments would be made at a later date.

The Board of Directors also approved the fiscal 2008-09 budget, with total revenues of $8,395,383 and total expenditures of $8,192,997. The budget had revenues over expenses of $202,386. Thanks in no large part to sales of wrestling gear (wrestling shoes, wrestling singlets, and other wrestling equipment)

“This is a very realistic budget,” said Treasurer Duane Morgan, in presenting the proposed budget for approval. “The Finance Committee felt very comfortable with this based upon its merits, and we have brought it forward to this Board.”

Morgan told the Board that the budget would require the organization to continue to strive for excellence in all aspects of its business.

“It is OK to challenge our people. It is always good to shoot for the stars,” said Morgan. “This is a team effort, heading for one goal, to be the top national governing body within the U.S. Olympic Committee.”

In his president’s report, Ravannack talked about the success of the organization during the last fiscal year.

“We had a banner year in 2008, both financially and in membership,” said Ravannack. “I want to thank our state leaders and volunteers for all that they do. I want to extend the Board’s recognition to them.”

USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender praised his national staff for its achievements during the year.

“I want to thank this Board for the opportunity to serve them. I am blessed to work with one of the top sports staffs in the entire Olympic movement. They all have a fire in their belly. It is not a job, it is a passion. It is evident in the results you see from them,” said Bender.

Bender also gave credit to the Executive Committee, the state leadership and the U.S. Olympic Committee for their efforts on behalf of USA Wrestling and the sport.

“I want to thank our Executive Committee, which is an incredibly dedicated group that helps our staff and organization and guides us throughout the year. To our state leaders and grass roots volunteers, you are our life blood. You provide opportunities for hundreds of thousands of kids to participate in the world’s greatest sport. Your dedication impresses this Board and our staff. The U.S. Olympic Committee has provided us with considerable resources. The USOC is a great teammate and partner as we try to help our athletes to achieve their goals.”

He also commented upon the U.S. wrestling performance at the Beijing Olympic Games, which yielded three medals, including a gold medal from freestyle wrestler Henry Cejudo.

“I want to articulate what we mean when we say we are disappointed about the Olympics,” said Bender. “We don’t mean we are disappointed in the athletes. We didn’t get the result they wanted or we wanted. We are incredibly proud of our Olympians. We have high expectations for results. We are not going to sit back and accept the result. We have a responsibility to put a plan in place to put us on the top of the podium at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. Athletes, we are proud of you. You are why we exist. We are dedicated to helping you reach that podium.”

In a stirring speech, U.S. Olympic Committee CEO Jim Scherr addressed the Board. Scherr discussing the performance of the entire U.S. delegation at the Beijing Olympic Games, as well as the efforts of USA Wrestling during the Olympics. Scherr said he approached this from three perspectives, as the CEO of the USOC, as a past wrestler who has benefited from the sport, and as an admirer of Rich Bender and his management team.

“This is considered the most successful U.S. Olympic Team in the history of the movement,” said Scherr. “We feel we had a very successful Games.”

He noted four ways in which the USOC evaluates the overall American performance. They are:
1 – Compete Drug Free
2 – Represent the nation with honor, dignity and as good ambassadors
3 – Compete well on the field of play
4 – Allow the team to enjoy the experience and return safe and sound.

Scherr noted how the ratings for the Olympic Games broke records and surpassed expectations. He noted that many more young people had followed the Beijing Games than in the most previous Olympics. However, in an emotional and moving conclusion to his presentation, Scherr also spoke about the U.S. wrestling performance in Beijing.

“I want to congratulate the athletes. The overall success was not what we expected. We have to look at ourselves and how we can do better in the future. We are not going anywhere. We believe our relationship with USA Wrestling is strong. We support wrestling as well as any other NGB in the Olympic family,” Scherr said.

He noted how the success of the Olympic team helps fuel the sport and its growth within the United States and around the world.

“Failure on the Olympic program is not an option. We will not allow this sport not to succeed. We want to know what is within the wrestling community. If you are going to be successful, there has to be a change in how you work together. Wrestling’s grassroots is not large enough to work separately. All who care about this sport needs to pitch in and support the Olympic movement,” said Scherr.

The Board approved a detailed report prepared by the Long Range Planning Committee entitled “Vision 2016,” which will guide planning for the organization for the next two Olympic quadrenniums. The Board approved the following as part of the Long Range Plan:

Vision Statement: USA Wrestling will strive to be the World’s best Olympic Sports Organization.

Mission Statement: USA Wrestling, guided by the Olympic spirit, provides quality opportunities for its members to achieve its full human and athletic potential.

Values: Responsibility, Integrity, Dedication, Honesty, Accountability, Respect

Also approved as part of the Long Range Plan were five strategic goals:
Goal 1: Assure USA Wrestling’s financial ability to carry out its mission, vision and goals.
Goal 2: Strengthen public awareness of USA Wrestling Programs and accelerate membership growth
Goal 3: Maintain Flexible Organizational Structure sensitive to the changing needs of the sport
Goal 4: Build strategic alliances to raise the profile and strengthen USA Wrestling’s international and domestic position
Goal 5: Be the dominant force in National Wrestling

The next step will be for USA Wrestling to develop published materials where Vision 2016 will be presented to the wrestling community and the general public.

“This is very important to the organization and we will allocate the resources to continue the plan,” said Ravannack. “This committee has stepped forward with leadership.”

Morgan presented the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee report, which was unanimously accepted by the Board. Included were new changes in the age-group programs of USA Wrestling, including:
• Change in the name of the 9-10 year old age division from the “Midget Division” to the “Intermediate Division.”
• Clarification in the athlete transfer policy for state affiliation. An athlete may change affiliation once per membership year if the state chairpersons of both states affected agree to the transfer. Appeals will be handled by the appropriate age group division.
• Changes in the Women’s Junior National Duals, which will provide for “draw teams” including athletes who wish to participate but are not members of a recognized state association dual meet team.
• Inclusion of folkstyle competitions as part of the separation process for the ASICS/Vaughan Junior and the Accelerade Cadet National Championships.
• Eliminating the 235-pound weight class in the Schoolboy/girl division and replacing it with the 265-pound weight class.

In the FILA report, FILA Bureau member Stan Dziedzic provided information on the results of the FILA elections held at the Beijing Olympics, including the re-election of Raphael Martinetti of Switzerland as FILA President. He also gave a detailed explanation about how a “confluence of events and diligent followthrough” allowed USA Wrestling to convince FILA to allow Mike Zadick to compete at 60 kg in the Olympic freestyle tournament when an athlete from Bulgaria was withdrawn.

The Board expressed overwhelming support for a new initiative spearheaded by women’s wrestling leaders Patricia Miranda and Katie Downing to work towards creating new women’s wrestling programs on the college and high school levels.

In his National Wrestling Hall of Fame report, Executive Director Lee Roy Smith reported on two new exhibits for the upcoming year. The first is an exhibit about the 13 U.S. Presidents who have wrestled. The second is a history of the military and the sport of wrestling. He also noted that the Hall’s Board of Governors is investigating the possibility of renovating, rebuilding or relocating the Hall of Fame and Museum.

Mike Moyer, the Executive Director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, reported on the success of the NWCA Convention, which was held alongside the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Las Vegas, Nev. in June. He offered to provide a portion of a new on-line coaching development program to include education on the value of freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Moyer also reported on an upcoming Coaching Academy for college wrestling coaches which is being designed in cooperation with Michigan State Univ. and could be required as a condition of coaching at the NCAA Championships.

Ravannack and Bender made a special presentation to Sonny Greenhalgh, who is retiring after 31 years as the Chairman of Wrestling for the New York Athletic Club.

U.S. wins three Greco-Roman medals at CISM Military World Championships in Croatia
Van Stokes USA Wrestling
09/05/2008

Greco-Roman wrestling was completed at the 26th Military World Wrestling Championships in Split, Croatia Friday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran won three gold medals and a silver, while USA wrestlers garnered one silver and two bronze medals.

Organized by the Conseil Internationale du Sport Militare, known as CISM, over 20 sports are conducted annually with the motto of "Friendship Through Sports." The wrestling compeition featured the top military wrestlers from 24 countries.

In 66 Kg., SPC Faruk Sahin, of the Army's World World Class Athlete Program at Fort Carson, Colorado, took the silver medal after losing the championship bout to Afshin Biabanger, of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 0-5, 0-5. Both periods were scoreless after the first minute. Sahin was in the down position first in each period, and Biabanger took full advantage of Sahin with a lift and throw in each period for the margin of victory .

Sahin gained the championship bout by beating Mykola Savchenko, Ukraine, 1-1, 2-1 in the qualification round. Later, Sahin needed all three periods to defeat Hyouk Eom, Korea, 3-4, 5-2, 3-0.

At 55Kg., SPC Jermaine Hodge won the bronze medal by defeating Song Buer, China, 0-2, 4-2, 3-0. Hodge lost his opening bout to Gyu-Jin Choi, Korea, 1-3, 0-3. Choi, the gold medalist in the competition, pulled Hodge into the Repechage bout for the bronze against Buer, who lost to Choi in the semi-final bout.

Against Buer, the first minute of each period was scoreless. Hodge lost the draw in each of the three periods but seemed undaunted in the down position. Buer gained an exposure with a gut wrench and went on to win the first period. In the second period, Hodge lost two points when he was unable to execute the start, but quickly gained them back by turning Buer for two, and then hitting a high gut wrench for the margin.

The final period belonged to Hodge who was placed down first, and then kept Choi from scoring. Hodge picked up two more points when Buer was penalized for the start.

The other bronze medal was earned at 74 Kg. by SGT James Shillow, USMC, who beat Ju Bo of China, 7-0 in the first period. Bo was knocked out of the bout by a separated shoulde after Shillow stuck two gut wrenches and a tilt in the first period.

SPC Aaron Sieracki, Army, lost his bronze medal match at 84 Kg. to Jan Fischer, Germany, 1-1, 0-4, 1-2. Sieracki beat Antti Hakala, Finland, 1-1, 2-1, to gain the medal match

At 96 Kg., SSG Deon Hicks of the Army was eliminated from medal contention in his first match, when he lost to Yasin Deliktas, Turkey, 2-2, 1-3.

At 60 Kg. SGT Donovan Depatto, USMC, defeated Alijaksandr Ruchko, Belarus, 3-0, 0-3, 1-1, before losing his quarterfinal bout to Artem Kudyk of Ukraine, 0-4, 0-6. Depatto was tossed in each period, and finished the competition out of medal contention.

At 120 Kg., SGT David Arendt, USMC, lost his opening bout to Hay Devender of India, 6-0, 1-2, 2-3, who subsequently lost in the semi-finals to the eventual gold medalist, Oleksandr Chernetskyi of Ukraine.

SSG Shon Lewis, of the Army, and the Head Coach of the Armed Forces Team, had high praise for the quality of the competition.

"As I watched the guys warm up, I am looking at four or five European or World Medalists," said Lewis. "This is an international first class tournament. I can't stress enough how tough it is."

When looking at the USA wrestlers, Lewis noted, "This is big for them because this is at such a high level. They need these international matches. This is huge."

Freestyle competition will be conducted on Saturday and Sunday.

Olympic wrestling medalists Henry Cejudo and Randi Miller joined 175 Olympic medalists as the 23rd season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" goes for the gold when it launches Monday, September 8, 2008.

U.S. Olympic Team athletes who were medalists from 21 sports participated in the taping of the show in front of an audience of nearly 10,000 on Wednesday in Chicago’s Millennium Park for a “Welcome Home Team USA” celebration.

Check your local listings for the time and station to watch the show in your area.

On August 19, Cejudo (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won a gold medal in the 55 kg/121 lbs. division in men’s freestyle wrestling. On August 17, Miller won a bronze medal at the 63 kg/138.75 lbs. division in women’s freestyle wrestling.

The other U.S. wrestling medalist, Greco-Roman bronze medalist Adam Wheeler, was unable to attend because of his commitment to the police academy.

The last time Cejudo strapped on his wrestling shoes he defeated Japan in the Olympic finals to become America's only Olympic champion in wrestling.