- Title: Olympic contenders grapple in the Big Apple
- Date: 20th May 2016
- Summary: IRANIAN FANS WATCHING
- Embargoed: 4th June 2016 04:07
- Keywords: wrestling Times Square USA Iran Rio Olympics
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: USA
- Topics: Sport,Wrestling
- Reuters ID: LVA0074IM1X6N
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: AMBIENT MUSIC THROUGHOUT
Wrestling took over Times Square in rush hour on Thursday (May 19) as Olympic-bound Americans grappled with Iranians, Canadians and a South Korean Olympic champion in a benefit for city-area youth taking up the sport.
Hundreds of spectators crowded around the outdoor mat built on the slender concrete island between Broadway and 7th Avenue, including a lively contingent of Iranian supporters waving little national flags.
'Beat the Streets' chairman Mike Novogratz desribed the good natured atmosphere of the fundraising event as where "you can bash each other on a mat, but then you'll shake hands and you'll hug and you'll break bread later on."
The Americans won five of six matches against wrestling power Iran, and U.S. women, including three-time world champion Adeline Gray, won two matches against Canadian opponents.
South Korean Olympic champion Kim Hyeon-Woo won his Greco-Roman match against American world bronze medalist Andy Bisek to open the featured competitions under twinkling lights, glaring neon and giant video screens.
Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs, making his sixth open air appearance in the fundraiser, closed the show with an 11-2 win over Iran's Asian Championships winner Peyman Yarahmadi in the 74 kg freestyle.
"You might see this as an exhibition," Burroughs said. "I see it as a legacy builder. A lot of people out here are seeing me for the first time, maybe for the last time. I want to give them something to talk about."
Burroughs said he planned to provide a memorable follow-up to his London Games victory. "I feel like a lot better wrestler now than in 2012," he said. "I'm not just looking to replicate, I'm looking to dominate."
Kim, moving up to 75 kg for the Rio Games after taking London gold at 66 kg, was wrestling outside for the first time.
"It's very exciting. It was my first time wrestling outside," he told Reuters through an interpreter. "I'm just focused on preparation for the Olympic Games and this is good preparation."
Preventing a U.S. sweep against Iran was world junior champion Mojtaba Goleij, a 10-1 winner against Zahid Valencia in the 84 kg match. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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