Chris Bono
2004 Olympic 69kg Freestyle Wrestling Hopeful

2000 Olympic Predictions & Results

They've started- the 2000 Sydney Olympics! Here's a look at the Olympic wrestling matchups as I see them, with results when known.

See my predictions below!

When you're done checking out my pages, check out:

  • Official Olympic wrestling web site
  • The Mat- comprehensive coverage and pairings
  • Send fan mail to an Olympian

    I really don't think I can make fair and unbiased predictions because I want all the guys to bring home the gold! That's not possible because of all the politics that goes on at this level. For example, at the 1995 World Championships, the gold medal matches at 105.5, 125, 149.5, 180.5, and 220 were wrestled first. We won 3 gold medals out of 5 that day (Brands, Jackson, and Angle). The officials were apparently not going to let the United States win any more. The following day, Zeke Jones got beat by a bad call, and so went the rest of the tournament.

    You can understand what I'm getting at. Our 2000 Olympian wrestlers are ready to win. I attended two training camps in the past few months with them. They trained hard and their preparation went well! Let's hope all eight get good draws. Once the pairings are announced, I'll analyze them for you and tell you what I think!


    Predictions

    Remarks from Wednesday night, 9/27
    After looking at the parings, I can say that we did not get very good draws, but one of the slogans at the training camps this summer was "Be ready to wrestle your toughest match right away." Once again I wish all the best to the boys and I have a lot of confidence they will do well! Every match is a gold medal match to these guys! look for Sam Henson and Slay to advance, as both are wrestling at their best!

    Remarks from Friday night, 9/29
    It looks like the US is wrestling well. The third day of a tournament is when your conditioning starts to show!

    Remarks from Monday, 10/2, at the Game's conclusion
    Well, the Olympics are over and the freestyle wrestling team did not do as well as we thought they would. From what I understand, a few mistakes cost us about 3 more medals, along with some poor officiating as I mentioned in an earlier entry.

    Sam Henson is the best guy in his weight class. The Azerbaijani was grabbing his singlet and fish-hooking him. I truly believe these tactics were part of his plan. Note that you can't protest a medal match. Look for Sammie to be back in 2001.

    Terry Brands just fell too far behind the points early. Like Sammie, he, too is the best guy in the weight class, but couldn't overcome the 4 point deficit in the semi-finals. I give him a lot of credit, as I saw how hard and intense he trained. He said he might want to wrestle next year, but that might have been his emotions talking. He could win a gold in worlds next year if he comes back.

    Cary Kolat flat out got robbed, and will win a world title next year.

    Lincoln McIlravy made one mistake against the Canadian (Igali) and lost in the semis. With no mistakes he would have won title. I've wrestled both and believe Lincoln is by far the better wrestler, and in fact is the best in his class.

    Brandon Slay lost in the finals because the ref gave the German (Leipold) 3 points. Leipold didn't score a point on his own and won the gold medal. Slay was great and would have won if the refs would just have let them wrestle. --->Update- Slay wins by drug disqualification!!!

    Charles Burton lost in the quarters. He was winning 2-1 with 15 seconds left, made a mistake, and lost the match. Had he won, he would have gone all the way and captured a medal. Burton will be back and ready to go!

    Melvin Douglas drew the Olympic champ first round and lost! Just a bad break.

    Kerry McCoy lost his match in the quarters. The US tried to protest it and the somehow the tape wound up missing. So ended another chance for the best in the world to win a medal for America.

    I've learned a lot from these games, and feel for all my buddies who worked so hard and came so close! Good job guys, we are all proud of you!


    Freestyle: September 28-October 1

    54 kg/114.5 lb- US Contender- Sammie Henson
    Finals: Henson (USA) vs. Abdullayev (AZE)
    Winner: Abdullayev over Henson, 4-3
    Sam Henson got the best draw, as the Azerbaijani and the Iranian are on the other side, and the Korean in his pool is a different Korean than one everyone thought would be there.
    9/29- Sam Henson wrestles the guy he beat in the 98 world finals. Look for Sammie to take him out. He has put in the time and has that certain attitude that will push him to win the gold.

    58 kg/127.75 lb- US Contender- Terry Brands
    I like Terry Brand's draw, if he wins his pool, he'll have to face world champ Dabir from Iran. The Turk is on the other side, so look for Brands to do well.
    9/29- Brands sounds like he is ready, with a fall in the first round. He said he felt like a caged animal the last 5 days. He's on track, and no one can match his INTENSITY!

    63 kg/138.75 lb- US Contender- Cary Kolat -Eliminated Round 1
    Cary Kolat has a tough draw. The guys who took 3rd and 6th at the world championships are in his pool. In the semis he could run into the Bulgarian who Kolat had beaten before his victory was overturned two years ago. Kolat has won over the Ukrainian, the world title holder, and is in the other pool. Rumor has it that HE IS READY!!

    69 kg/152 lb- US Contender- Lincoln McIlravy
    McIlravy got an alright draw with the Armenian on the other side. The Turk in his pool is tough but Lincoln beat him 3-0 in last year's worlds. In pool 2, the Cuban should advance. In pool 1 is the very tough Canadian world champ. The guy from Georgia was third and the Iranian is very tough in worlds. McIlravy could face one of those guys in the semis.
    9/29- McIlravy made a guy quit. He is capable of doing that to everyone in the weight class. He trains harder than his other overseas competitors. He'll have to pass a tough Turk (Sanali). Mc beat him last year 3-0. I don't know who he'll meet in quarter finals. It depends on what happens tonight with Wada (world champ at 138 from Japan) and the Bulgarian who upset Zaza from Ukraine. He'll have tough matches from here on out. Personaly, I think he'll face the Cuban in the semifinals. Igali from Canada (a Nigerian native) will have to beat the Iranian to get to the quarters to meet the Cuban.

    76 kg/167.5 lb- US Contender- Brandon Slay
    Finals: Slay (USA) vs. Leipold (GER)
    Winner: Leipold over Slay, 4-3, Slay later wins by Disqualification
    Brandon Slay has Saitiev in his pool. If he wins, which he is capable of doing, he'll have a tough next draw against the Iranian. Let's hope for another "Rulon Gardner" against Saitiev.
    9/29- Brandon Slay is on a high. I believe he will beat Leipold, former world runner up. Leipold is a very good counter wrester, but so was Sative. Slay is too powerful and focused.

    85 kg/187.25 lb- US Contender- Charles Burton-5th place
    Burton looks to be in good shape- Senegal first then Switzerland second. He could face the Ukrainian in the quarters.
    9/29- Burton faces Martinetti from Switzerland who beat Diouf of Senegal 4-0. Diouf beat Martinett 9-8. Burton needs to win to advance. He should, and will meet the Ukranian. Burton is in great shape and he gets tougher as the tourney goes longer.

    97 kg/213.75 lb- US Contender- Melvin Douglas-Eliminated Round 1
    Melvin Douglas also has a tough draw. The Russian is very tough, so is the Ukranian, but Melvin is a world champ and has been training hard. If Melvin gets through his pool, he should make it to the semis and wrestle Hedari from Iran.

    130 kg/286 lb- US Contender- Kerry McCoy-5th place
    McCoy has a good draw, and will have to get past the Cuban to get to the finals. The Turk in the quarters will be tough.
    9/29- McCoy has another match, but he shut out his last opponent and seems in great shape. His match should be fun!


  • The Contenders

    54 kg
    Finals: Henson (USA) vs. Abdullayev (AZE)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Korea (
    Moon Myung-Seok)
    Uzbekistan (
    Adham Achilov)
    Ukraine (
    Oleksander Zakaruk)
    Bulgaria (
    Ivan Tzonov)
    Mongolia (
    Tumendembegel Zuunbayan)
    Russia (
    Leonid Tchuchonov)
    Kazakstan (
    Maulen Mamyrov)
    Iran (
    Behnam Tayebi)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Kirgyzistan (
    Nurdin Donbayev)
    4th - Belarus (
    Gueman Kontoev)
    Japan (
    Chikara Tanabe)
    Azerbaijan (
    Namik Abdullayev)
    USA (
    Sammie Henson)
    Germany (Vasili Zeiher)
    Moldova (
    Vitali Railean)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Egypt (
    Ali Abu Taleb Mohammed)
    Asia - North Korea (
    Ju Dong Jin)
    Europe - Greece (
    Amiran Kartinov)
    Oceania - New Zealand (
    Martin Liddle)
    Pan American - Cuba (
    Wilfredo Garcia)


    58 kg
    Finals: Alireza Dabir (IRI) vs. Yevgen Buslovich (UKR)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Turkey (Harun Dogan)
    Iran (
    Ali Reza Dabir)
    4th - Uzbekistan (Damir Zakhardinov)
    Armenia (
    Martin Berberyan)
    Moldova (Cuciuc Octavian)
    Russia (Murad Ramazanov)
    USA (
    Terry Brands)
    Slovakia (
    Andrej Fasanek)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Mongolia (Oyumbuleg Purevba)
    Azerbaijan (Arif Abdullayev)
    Ukraine (
    Evgueni Buslovich)
    Kazakstan (Abil Ibragimov)
    Germany (
    Othmar Kuhner)
    Belarus (Alexander Gouzov)
    Greece (Chvista Polychronidis)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Guinea-Bissau (Embalo Tulafa)
    Asia - North Korea (Ri Yong Sam)
    Europe - Georgia (Otar Tuushishvili)
    Oceania - Australia (
    Corey O'Brien)
    Pan-America - Kanada (
    Giuvi Sissaouri)


    63 kg
    Finals: Oumakhanov (RUS) vs. Barzakov (BUL)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Ukraine (
    Elbrus Tedeev)
    Korea (
    Jang-Jae Sung)
    Uzbekistan (
    Ramil Islamov)
    USA (
    Cary Kolat )
    Bulgaria (
    Serafim Barzakov)
    4th - Iran (
    Mohammed Talaee)
    North Korea (Kim Kwang Il)
    Kyrgizistan (Maks Bobyrbekov)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Moldova (
    Ruslan Bodisteanu)
    Russia (
    Mourat Oumakhanov)
    Azerbaijan (Shamil Efendiev)
    Belarus (
    Nikolai Savin)
    Germany (
    Jurgen Scheibe)
    Georgia (David Pogosian)
    Slovakia (
    Stefan Fernyak)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Egypt (
    Ahmed Houssem)
    Asia - Japan (Miyata Kazuyuki)
    Europe - Armenia (
    Arshak Hayrapetyan)
    Oceania - Australia (
    Ilhan Musa)
    Pan-America - Cuba (
    Carlos Ortiz)


    69 kg
    Finals: Daniel Igali (CAN) vs. Arsen Gitinov (RUS)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Canada (Daniel Igali)
    USA (
    Lincoln McIlravy)
    Turkey (
    Yuksel Sanli)
    Georgia (Emzar Bediniashvili)
    Armenia (Araik Gevorgian)
    Greece (
    Nikolaos Loizidis)
    Cuba (
    Yosmany Sanchez)
    Kyrgizistan (
    Almazbek Askarov)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Russia (Arsen Gitinov )
    Iran (
    Amir Tavakolian)
    4th - Belarus (
    Sergei Demtchenko)
    Ukraine (
    Zaza Zazirov)
    Kazakstan (Ruslan Keliyev)
    Poland (
    Mariucz Dabrowski)
    Moldova (
    Ivan Diaconu)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Nigeria (Ibo Aziti)
    Asia - Japan (
    Takahiro Wada)
    Europe - Bulgaria (Petar Dimitrov Kasabov)
    Oceania - Australia (
    Cameron Johnson)
    Pan-America - Colombia (
    Edison Hurtado)


    76 kg
    Finals: Slay (USA) vs. Leipold (GER)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Russia (
    Bouvaisa Saitiev)
    Germany (
    Alexander Leipold) loss by drug disqualification
    Turkey (
    Adem Bereket)
    USA (
    Brandon Slay)
    Azerebaijan (Elsad Allahverdyev)
    South Korea (
    Moon Eui-Jae)
    Bulgaria (
    Plamen Paskalev)
    Ukraine (Alik Muzaev)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Uzbekistan (Ruslan Khinchagov)
    Poland (
    Marcin Jurecki)
    Kazakstan (
    Genadi Laliev)
    Hungary (
    Arpad Ritter)
    Macedonia (Nasir Gadzikhanov)
    Slovakia (
    Radion Kertanti)
    Iran (
    Masoud Jamshidi)

    Continental Qualifiers
    South Africa (Jannie du Toit)
    Mongolia (Tumenulzu Munhbayar)
    Georgia (Gurami Michedlidse)
    Australia (
    Reinold Ozoline)
    Cuba (
    Yosmany Romero)


    85 kg
    Finals: Adam Saitiev (RUS) vs. Yoel Romero (CUB)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Cuba (
    Yoel Romero)
    Russia (
    Adam Saitiev)
    USA (
    Charles Burton)
    Turkey (Ali Ozen)
    Japan (Tatsuo Kawaii)
    Uzbekistan (Rasul Katinovosov)
    Kazakstan (Magomed Kurguliev)
    South Korea (Yang Hyung-Mo)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Ukraine (
    David Bichinashvili)
    Hungary (
    Gabor Kapuvari)
    Macedonia (Magomed Ibrachimov)
    Ivory Coast (
    Vincent Aka)
    Latvia (
    Igor Samusonoks)
    Romania (
    Nicolae Ghita)
    Switzerland (
    Gregory Martinetti)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Senegal (
    Alione Diouf)
    4th - Asia - Iran (
    Amir Khadem)
    Europe -Belarus (
    Beibul Musaev)
    Oceania - Australia (Igor Praporshikov)
    Pan-America - Canada (
    Justin Abdou)


    97 kg
    Finals: Murtazaliev (RUS) vs. Bairamukov (KAZ)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    Russia (Saguid Murtazaliev)
    Iran (
    Ali Reza Heidari)
    4th - Poland (
    Marek Garmulewicz)
    Greece (Avtandil Xanthopoulos)
    Turkey (
    Ahmet Dogu)
    Georgia (
    Eldar Kurtanidze)
    Cuba (
    Wilfredo Morales)
    Azerbaijan (
    Davud Magomedov)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Germany (
    Arawat Sabejew)
    Ukraine (
    Vadim Tasoev)
    USA (
    Melvin Douglas)
    Belarus (
    Alexander Shemarov)
    Slovakia (
    Milan Mazac)
    Switzerland (Rolf Sherrer)
    Lithuania (
    Ricardas Pauliukonis)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Nigeria (
    Victor Kodei)
    Asia - Kazakstan (
    Islam Bairamukov)
    Europe - Netherlands (
    George Torchinava)
    Oceania - Australia (
    Gabriel Szerda)
    Pan-America - Canada (
    Dean Schmeichel)


    130 kg
    Finals: Artur Taimuzov (UZB) vs. David Musulbes (RUS)

    1999 World Championships Qualifiers
    USA (Kerry McCoy)
    Russia (
    David Musulbes)
    4th - Iran (
    Abbas Jadidi)
    Azerbaijan (Recep Ashabeliyev)
    Turkey (
    Aydin Polatci)
    Germany (
    Sven Thiele)
    Kyrgizistan (Alexander Kovalevsky)
    Ukraine (Mirab Valiev)

    Olympic Trial Qualifiers
    Belarus (
    Alexei Medvedev)
    China (Chen Xing Quiang)
    Georgia (Alexander Mobedadze)
    Mongolia (
    Dolgorsuren Sumiyabazar)
    Bulgaria (Bosidar Boyadjiev)
    Hungary (
    Zsolt Gombos)
    Greece (
    Efstathios Topalidis)

    Continental Qualifiers
    Africa - Egypt (
    Hisham Abd-Elwahab)
    Asia - Uzbekistan (Artur Taimuzov)
    Europe - Slovakia (
    Peter Pecha)
    Oceania - Australia (Abdulla Mushtaq)
    Pan-America - Cuba (
    Alexis Rodriguez)


    Schedule of Events

    Day 13, September 28 (Thursday)

    SYDNEY TIME

    EDT

    EVENT

    PHASE

    9:30 AM

    6:30 PM

    54kg (119lbs)

    Prelims

    to 12 PM

    (Wed.)

    63kg (138.75lbs)

    Prelims

    and

     

    76kg (167.50lbs)

    Prelims

    5-7 PM

    2:00 AM

    97kg (213.75lbs)

    Prelims

    Day 14, September 29 (Friday)

    SYDNEY TIME

    EDT

    EVENT

    PHASE

    9:30 AM

    6:30 PM

    54kg (119lbs)

    Quarterfinals

    to

    (Thurs.)

    58kg (127.75lbs)

    Prelims

    12:00 PM

     

    63kg (138.75lbs)

    Quarterfinals

     

     

    69kg (152lbs)

    Prelims

     

     

    76kg (167.50lbs)

    Quarterfinals

     

     

    85kg (187.25lbs)

    Prelims

     

     

    97kg (213.75lbs)

    Quarterfinals

     

     

    130kg (286lbs)

    Prelims

    5:00 PM

    2:00 AM

    54kg (119lbs)

    Semifinals

    to

     

    63kg (138.75lbs)

    Semifinals

    7:00 PM

     

    76kg (167.50lbs)

    Semifinals

     

     

    97kg (213.75lbs)

    Semifinals

    Day 15, September 30 (Saturday)

    SYDNEY TIME

    EDT

    EVENT

    PHASE

    9:30 AM

    6:30 PM

    54kg (119lbs)

    Final

    to

    (Fri.)

    63kg (138.75lbs)

    Final

    12:00 PM

     

    69kg (152lbs)

    Prelims

     

     

    76kg (167.50lbs)

    Final

     

     

    85kg (187.25lbs)

    Prelims

     

     

    97kg (213.75lbs)

    Final

     

     

    130kg (286lbs)

    Prelims

    Day 16, October 1 (Sunday)

    SYDNEY TIME

    EDT

    EVENT

    PHASE

    9:00 AM

    6:00 PM

    58kg (127.75lbs)

    Quarterfinals

    to

    (Sat.)

    69kg (152lbs)

     

    11:00 AM

     

    85kg (187.25lbs)

     

     

     

    130kg (286lbs)

     

     

     

    58kg (127.75lbs)

    Semifinals

     

     

    69kg (152lbs)

     

     

     

    85kg (187.25lbs)

     

     

     

    130kg (286lbs)

     

    2:30 PM

    11:30 AM

    58kg (127.75lbs)

    Final

    to

    (Sat.)

    69kg (152lbs)

     

    4:30 PM

     

    85kg (187.25lbs)

     

     

     

    130kg (286lbs)