Team USA shakes hands with Cuba at the Freestyle World Cup (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"The entire night, from our historic outdoor wrestling in Times Square to the awards gala at The Best Buy Theater ensures that we can continue to help, support and grow wrestling for kids in New York City and beyond ," said Jim Fallis, Executive Director of Beat the Streets. "The format with our top American wrestlers taking on a Cuban team gives us an added bonus this year and shows that sport can go even further in overcoming political obstacles that once existed, all of which should make for another amazing night for our sport, for our kids and for our great city."
The Cuban Wrestling Federation has announced its lineup of stars who will be competing against the United States in Times Square. Team Cuba will include seven men’s freestyle wrestlers, four women’s freestyle wrestlers and two Greco-Roman wrestlers, showcasing talent in all three Olympic styles.
The Cuban team features four past medalists in men's freestyle: 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World medalist Livan Lopez Azcuy at 74 kilos in men’s freestyle, three-time World medalist Reineris Salas Perez at 86 kilos, plus 2014 World bronze medalist Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez at 57 kilos and Javier Cortina Lacerra at 97 kilos. The women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman athletes are a mix of veteran stars and exciting young talents. Combined, the team has won 11 Pan American individual gold medals and four Junior World medals.
The U.S. opponents for each of the Cuban wrestlers are currently being determined, with match-ups to be released individually in the upcoming days. The U.S. team will feature veteran World and Olympic medalists, along with some young stars who have already made a big impact on the international scene.
Top Beat the Streets middle school and high school students will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 4pm to start the evening. Then it's Team USA vs. Cuba at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Beat the Streets Award Gala at 7:30 p.m. at Best Buy Theater (1515 Broadway).
The USA vs. the World dual requires a ticket for reserved seating in Times Square, but is an outdoor event. Pedestrians and non-ticket holders are encouraged to watch. Admission tickets may be bought in advance at www.btsny.org or 212.245.6570. A ticket is required for the Gala. More details are available at http://www.btsny.org/gala
The Gala Celebration will follow the wrestling competition at Best Buy Theater. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets(BTS) raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it's providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one's goals, creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.
The world-class competition has been hosted in Times Square three previous times. In 2011, the United States defeated World champion Russia, 5-2, the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square. In 2012, another U.S. vs. Russia dual meet was held in Times Square, along with the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kilos/132-pound position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle. In 2014, the USA defeated a World All-Star Team in Times Square, 8-3.
This will be the sixth straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Gala activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. In 2013, the event was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal. Dubbed "The Rumble on the Rails," it featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran and was an important part of the international Keep Olympic Wrestling effort, which resulted in wrestling retaining its status on the Olympic Games program.
"Salsa In The Square," Beat The Streets Wrestling Schedule
At New York, May 21, 2014
4:00 p.m. Beat the Streets Exhibition Matches in Duffy Square at 46th Street
5:30 p.m. World Class Wrestling: Team USA vs. Team Cuba at 46th Street
7:30 p.m. Gala Celebration at Best Buy Theater at 1515 Broadway
Cuba's Lineup
Men's freestyle
57 kilos: Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez
65 kilos: Franklin Maren Castillo
74 kilos: Livan Lopez Azcuy
74 kilos: Luis Esteban Quintana Martinez
86 kilos: Reineris Salas Perez
97 kilos: Javier Cortina Lacerra
125 kilos: Andres Ramos Dinza
Women's freestyle
48 kilos: Yusneylis Guzman Lopez
55 kilos: Yamilka del Valle Alvarez
60 kilos: Yekelin Stornell Elastigue
69 kilos: Yudari Sanchez Rodriguez
Greco-Roman
59 kilos: Maykel Anache Lamout
75 kilos: Yurisandi Hernandez Rios
Team Leader: Eduardo Perez Tellez
Coach: Julio Mendieta Cuellar
Coach: Mario Olivera Hernandez
Coach: Elio Garraway Clark
Medical staff: Siggilfredo Acosta Chacon
Referee: Yunior Sosa Naranjo
About Beat The Streets
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City's student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and mentoring. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.
About 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 United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 220,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is James Ravannack, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.
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