U.S. tops Iran in wrestling

Douglas, Kolat notch victories; Russia beats Turkey

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Posted: Sunday July 26, 1998 04:16 PM

Melvin Douglas (left) of the United States defeats Abbas Jaddidi of Iran

NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- The United States won the final six bouts to defeat Iran, 19-9, and claim its second straight dual meet victory at the 1998 Goodwill Games freestyle wrestling competition. Iran dropped to an 0-2 record.

Iran won the first match of the night, as two-time World Cup champion Behnam Taiebi beat Sam Henson, 5-0

At 58 kg, 1997 World Champion Mohammed Talaei of Iran edged Tony Purler, 4-3 in overtime. The United States got back on the winning track at 63 kg, where 1997 World silver medalist Cary Kolat edged Mehdi Kaveh in a 1-0 overtime referee's decision.

Lincoln McIlravy continued the U.S. surge, stopping Mohsen Babaei, 4-3 at 69 kg. Steve Marianetti followed with a 2-1 overtime refereeÕs decision at 76 kg overMassoud Jamshidi. 1997 World Champion Les Gutches scored a solid 4-0 decision over Abbas Majidi at 85 kg.

At 97 kg, 1993 World Champion Melvin Douglas stopped 1996 Olympic silver medalist Abbas Jadidi, 3-0 in overtime. Jadidi was competing with an injured knee that caused him to limp. In the concluding match, Kerry McCoy defeated 1996 Olympic Champion Rasul Khadem at 130 kg. Khadem won his Olympic title at 90 kg, and was clearly smaller than the U.S. heavyweight.

Russia won six of eight matches to defeat Turkey, 20-11, to secure a 2-0 dual meet record. Turkey fell to an 0-2 record.

Murad Ramazanov of Russia opened the match with an 11-1 technical fall over Melvana Kulac at 54 kg. But Harun Dogan of Turkey rebounded with a 3-0 overtime win at 58 kg over Gasson Dzamalov.

Russia won the next five matches, including victories at 63 kg by 1994 World Champion Magomed Azizov and at 69 kg by Velikhan Alakhverdiev.

1996 Olympic Champion Bouvaisa Saitiev of Russia fell behind 1-0 to Nuri Zengin at 76 kg, but battled back for a 7-3 win. At 85 kg, 1996 Olympic Champion Khadzimurad Magomedov scored a 3-0 win over Ali Ozen.Russia continued its streak with a win by Saghiud Mourasaliev at 97 kg.

1998 European champion Mehmet Aydin Polatci of Turkey closed the dual with a 1-0 overtime referee's over three time World Cup champion Andrei Shumilin at 130 kg.

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