SZOMBATHELY, Hungary (February 5) – One month into this Olympic Year of 2016, eight Greco-Roman events have already given wrestling fans much to discuss and wrestling coaches more to mull over in the run-up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
We have already seen world and Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) tripped up, Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) shut down another world champion and the re-emergence of Damian JANIKOWSKI (POL).
More excitement can only be anticipated with the Grand Prix of Hungary on tap for this weekend in the ancient Roman provincial capital of Szombathely.
The tournament at Arena Savaria traditionally attracts world and continental champions, medalists, and wannabes who have their eyes on the springtime continental championships and eventually the world meet.
In this Olympic year, the stakes are even higher as the Rio 2016 qualifying tournaments crowd the calendar along with the other events in March and April.
Action begins Saturday with world champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) seeking to recapture the magic of his 2014 title run in Szombathely which was ignited by a headlock-to-fall triumph over London 2012 gold medalist Omid NOROOZI (IRI).
Joining Stefanek on the entry list are 2014 world bronze medalists Edgaras VENCKAITIS (LTU) and Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), although Lorincz will likely compete in the non-Olympic category of 71kg. Defending champion Danijel JANECIC (CRO) is also back with victory in Zagreb under his belt.
The field at 75kg will feature the world silver medalists the last two years – Neven ZUGAJ (CRO) and Mark MADSEN (DEN) – and the winner of back-to-back bronze medals, Andrew BISEK (USA).
Local favorite and the winner in Las Vegas of Hungary’s lone ticket to Rio 2016 Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) tops the list of entries at 85kg. Joining Lorincz is London 2012 bronze medal winner Janikowski, who has triumphed in his last three tournaments.
At super heavyweight, Balint LAM (HUN) looks to improve on last year’s runner-up performance, but will have to get by Golden Grand Prix Final winner MENG[[{"fid":"8865","view_mode":"wysiwyg","type":"media","attributes":{"height":800,"width":1200,"style":"width: 450px; height: 300px; float: right;","class":"media-element file-wysiwyg"},"link_text":null}]]Qiang (CHN) or Pan America champion Robby SMITH (USA).
The second day of competition will feature of host of hometown heroes beginning with world and London 2012 bronze medalist Peter MODOS (HUN) at 59kg.
Modos will likely have to face last year’s finalists Shinobu OTA (JPN) and Spenser MANGO (USA) as well as European Games silver medalist Soslan DAUROV (BLR).
Szombathely defending champion at 98kg and 2013 world bronze medalist Balazs KISS (HUN) and could face 85kg world champion Melonin NOUMONVI (FRA) or XIAO Di (CHN), who defeated Noumonvi in last week’s final at the Paris Grand Prix.
Peter BACSI (HUN), the 80kg world champion in 2014, will likely compete at this non-Olympic category, although he will probably be at 75kg for the qualification events, while London 2012 silver medalist Lorincz could be at 71kg for this weekend’s wrestling.
Schedule
Friday, February 5
17:30-18:30 – Medical Examination GR 66, 75, 85 & 130kg
18:30-19:00 – Weigh-in GR 66, 75, 85 & 130kg
Saturday, February 6
09:00-14:00 – Elimination Rounds GR 66, 75, 85 & 130kg
14:00-15:00 – Medical Examination GR 59, 71, 80 & 98kg
15:00-15:30 – Weigh-in GR 59, 71, 80 & 98kg
16:00-17:30 – Repechage 66, 75, 85 & 130kg
17:30-18:00 – Opening Ceremony
18:00-19:30 – Finals & Awards Ceremonies 66, 75, 85 & 130kg
Sunday, February 7
09:00-12:00 – Elimination rounds GR 59, 71, 80 & 98kg
12:00-13:00 – Repechage GR 59, 71, 80 & 98kg
13:00-14:00 – Finals and Awards Ceremonies GR 59, 71, 80, 98kg
