Dave Schultz Memorial International Wrestling Tournament

Strong field of foreign wrestling powers expected for the Dave Schultz Memorial International Wrestling Tournament to be held in Colorado Springs, Colo.., Feb. 12-13

        Talented wrestling teams from across the world are expected to compete at the first annual Dave Schultz Memorial International Tournament, Feb. 12-13, 1999 in Colorado Springs, Colo. 

        The wrestling tournament will feature top athletes in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling on the Senior level, including a number of top Olympic hopefuls.  The competition will be hosted at the U.S. Army Post Field House at Fort Carson, Colo. 

        As of Jan 15, seven foreign nations have confirmed that they will be sending delegations to the major wrestling event.  It is possible that other international squads may also attend. 

        The foreign teams that have confirmed participation in the inaugural Dave Schultz Memorial International Tournament are Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, France, Japan, Poland and Switzerland.  Many of these nations will also participate in joint training with U. S. athletes prior to the competition. 

        USA Wrestling and the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation have worked together to create the Dave Schultz Memorial International.  The event honors the memory and achievements of Olympic Champion Dave Schultz, who was tragically killed in 1996.  The Colorado Springs Sports Corporation and Fort Carson Sports are supporting this historic competition by assisting in the promotion and coordination of the event. 

        Local corporations supporting the tournament include UMB Bank, KILO -94.3 FM, Wendy's, Dominos, Coca-Cola and Peak Bar.  "I am very excited about the number of foreign teams coming to the tournament," said Nancy Schultz, the President of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Foundation.  "Dave was known as an ambassador to other nations within wrestling.  He had a great relationship with the International delegations.  I am very glad that these nations are coming here to compete in honor of Dave." 

        Tickets are available at the door.  They cost $5 a day for adults and $2 a day for students and military personnel.  The fee for an entire wrestling team, accompanied by their coach, is just $10.  Top athletes from wrestling clubs across the nation are expected to participate in the tournament as well. 

        The quality of the competition should be spectacular.  Colorado Springs is one of the world's hotbeds for wrestling.  The U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Wrestling have their national headquarters in the city.  In addition, the U. S. Olympic Training Center resident programs in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling are based there. 

        The World Class Athlete Program for the U. S. Army and the U. S. Air Force are also stationed in the area.  Dave Schultz won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling at 163 pounds in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, Calif.  Before that, he was a World Champion in 1983. 

        Schultz won an outstanding seven World/Olympic medals during his career, in addition to titles at the Pan American Games, the World Cup and the Goodwill Games.  He was a national champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.  For more information, contact Rich Bender or Anthony Bartkowski of USA Wrestling at 719-598-8181.

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