Toghrul Asgarov wrestles Frank Molinaro at the Olympic Games in Rio (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)NEW YORK-In what is shaping up to be a "Super" evening of wrestling action, American standout Jordan Oliver, a three-time World Team Trials runner-up, will compete against two-time Olympic Medalist Togrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan in one of two Super Matches scheduled on May 17 in the annual Beat the Streets Benefit at Pier 17/Seaport District in lower Manhattan. The match is part of a festive evening that also features Team USA men and women followed by a Super Match between 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Jordan Burroughs and Italian Frank Chamizo.
Oliver, an Oklahoma State graduate, has twice competed in Beat the Streets action, including a matchup with Chamizo last year. The 2017 Dave Schultz Memorial International champion placed second in the U.S. World Team Trials in 2014, 2015 and 2016, highlighting a career which has also included NCAA Championships in 2011 and 2013, his sophomore and senior years at OSU. The Easton, Pa., native, who will turn 28 by the BTS event date, was also a three-time Pennsylvania High School state champion.
Asgarov was the Olympic gold medalist at 60kg in 2012 and followed up with a silver medal at 65 kg in the 2016 Games. In addition, he was the 2011 World Champion and won gold at the 2012 European Championships and 2015 European Games. The 25-year-old is competing in his first Beat the Streets event.
The super matches follow the Team USA women, whose roster includes Helen Maroulis, Alli Ragan and Tamyra Mensah-Stock, vs. Nigeria, and a lineup of Team USA men (TBD) vs. an opponent to be announced soon.
This year will mark the first time that Beat the Streets has held its annual event at Pier 17/South Street District. In 2013, the event dubbed "The Rumble on the Rails," was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran. Playing an important role in the international Keep Olympic Wrestling effort, this historic wrestling event gained international media coverage and helped wrestling retain its status on the Olympic Games program.
Coverage will be available live and on-demand exclusively on FloWrestling.com. To access live and on-demand coverage of the Beat the Streets New York City Annual Benefit, visit FloWrestling.com and become a PRO subscriber. A subscription unlocks access to premium content across the entire FloSports network, as well as the matches from the Beat the Streets program starting at 2:30 p.m. ET on May 17. Watch the event across all screens by downloading the FloSports app on iOS, Roku or Apple TV 4.
This will be the ninth straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Benefit activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan. Times Square has been the venue for the 2011, 2012 and 2014-2017 events.
This year, top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 2:30 p.m. to kick off the NYC Benefit. For the third straight year, the Benefit will feature the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, showcasing the two top New York City girl's freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl's freestyle season. Then it's Team USA vs. an international squad at 6:00 p.m. and super match between Burroughs and Chamizo with video highlights and special guest appearances followed by the Beat the Streets Benefit Celebration.
Tickets are required for entry and can be purchased by visiting www.btsny.org, calling 212-777-5702 or emailing Joe DelConte at jdelconte@btsny.org.
The Benefit Celebration at Pier 17 will follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it's providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one's goals and creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.
2018 Beat the Streets Wrestling Schedule
The Seaport District/Pier 17, New York City, May 17, 2018
2:30 p.m. - Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches
4:45 p.m. - New York City Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals
6:00 p.m. - World Class Wrestling to include:
• Team USA vs. Nigeria in women's freestyle
57 kg - Helen Maroulis (USA) vs. Odunayo Adekuoroye (Nigeria)
59 kg - Alli Ragan (USA) vs. Bisola Makanjuola (Nigeria)
68 kg - Tamyra Stock (USA) vs. Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria)
• Team USA vs. TBA in men's freestyle
• Super Match 1 - Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Frank Chamizo (ITA)
• Super Match 2 - Jordan Oliver (USA) vs. Togrul Asgarov (AZE)
Followed by Annual Benefit Celebration, Pier 17
About Beat the Streets
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTS works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to bring the life changing sport of wrestling to over 3,000 New York City student-athletes to help them achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTS and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life lessons of grit, personal responsibility and teamwork, physical fitness and nutrition, and life-long learning. The goal of fostering strong, well-rounded student-athletes is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, life skills workshops, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.
About USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 220,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is Bruce Baumgartner, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com.
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