By Gary Abbott
USA Wrestling
RIO de JANIERO, Brazil - The United States qualified a full six-person men’s freestyle wrestling team for the 2016 Olympic Games, and has an interesting mix of talented veterans and exciting young stars looking to make their mark at the highest level. There will be three days of men’s freestyle action at the Carioca 2 Arena in Rio de Janiero., the final three days of the Olympics, Friday, Aug. 19 through Sunday, Aug. 21.

The USA team had an active summer of competition and training. After the team was formed, they were part of the American team entered in the 2016 Freestyle World Cup in Los Angeles, Calif. in early June. Members of the team also participated in the Grand Prix of Germany in early July. The domestic camp was held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. They arrived in Rio on Aug. 4, attended the Opening Ceremonies on August 5, and have done their final training at the Lonier High Performance Training Center right here in Rio de Janeiro.

There will be two weight classes contested each day during the men’s freestyle competition. Each day will feature one U.S. athlete who is a past World or Olympic medalist, and one athlete who is competing on his first U.S. Senior-level team.

The first day of men’s freestyle will include 2012 Olympic champion and three-time World champion Jordan Burroughs (74 kg), along with Daniel Dennis (57 kg) on Friday, Aug. 19.

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