NO HOLDS BARRED

For the past several years, the web page of USA Wrestling, TheMat.com, has been running a poll of wrestling journalists that lists our predictions for the champions in each weight class for the World Championships and Olympic Games. Although I rarely make predictions in professional combat sports, I have done so in wrestling because, frankly, this sport needs all the support, help, and publicity it can get.

This year I have once again participated. The predictions below are for the 2007 World Championships of Wrestling. This event takes place September 17-23 at the Heydar Aliyev Sport and Exhibition Complex in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The web site of the World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide live and on-demand video coverage of the 2007 World Championships of Wrestling.

TheMat.com has a special section devoted to the 2007 World Championships of Wrestling.

My predictions do not, of course, necessarily turn out correct. Over the years I have had a passable record, usually finishing somewhere in the middle of the pack of the other wrestling journalists who likewise take part in these polls.

The point, however, is not to boast or lament about the accuracy of these predictions. Rather, it is but one attempt to use the media in general and the Internet in particular to encourage informed and intelligent discussion about the world's oldest and greatest sport, its star and champion athletes, and its often obscurely-promoted but major international events.

Predictions for silver and bronze medals are not made because these depend in large part on the much-criticized blind draw system, lack of seeding, and no complete rounds of wrestlebacks used by FILA, the international wrestling federation. The gold medalists, however, have to defeat everyone, regardless of the order in which they face their opponents, so the top finishes should reflect the best wrestlers at this event.

Here are my humble predictions for the individual champions at the 2007 World Wrestling Championships. Most will likely be wrong, but hopefully this exercise will stimulate more interest in this important event.

Men's Freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Besik Kudukhov (Russia)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Seyed Mourad Mohammadi (Iran)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Geandry Garzon (Cuba)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Mahach Murtazaliev (Russia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Georgy Ketoev (Russia)
96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Khajimurad Gatsalov (Russia)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Artur Taimazov (Uzbekistan)

Men's Greco-Roman champions
55 kg/121 lbs. - Roushan Bayramov (Azerbaijan)
60 kg/132 lbs. - Eusebiu Diaconu (Romania)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Harry Lester (USA)
74 kg/163 lbs. - Manuchar Krirkvelia (Georgia)
84 kg/185 lbs. - Alexey Mishine (Russia)
96 kg/211.25 lbs. - Karam Ibrahim Gaber (Egypt)
120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Khassan Baroev (Russia)

Women's Freestyle champions
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Chiharu Icho (Japan)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. - Hitomi Sakamoto (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Saori Yoshida (Japan)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Ayako Shoda (Japan)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Kaori Icho (Japan)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Jing Rui Xue (China)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) will provide same-day delayed coverage of the 2007 FILA World Wrestling Championship from Baku, Azerbaijan, on September 17 - 22. Fans can log on to http://www.wcsn.com/ to watch top athletes from over 70 countries compete in wrestling's most important competition as well as the first Olympic qualifying event of the year.

Viewers tuning in will also hear special commentary provided by 2004 Olympic Silver Medalist, Jamill Kelly.

In addition to a strong female competition, male athletes from around the world will go head-to-head in the Freestyle and Greco Roman categories. For U.S fans, the U.S championship team includes No. 1 ranked twenty-year-old Henry Cejudo, gold medalist at the recent Pan American Games in Brazil and the youngest U.S. World Team member in freestyle since 1979. Rounding out the team is Mike Zadick, 2006 World silver medalist, Daniel Cormier, 2007 Pan American bronze medalist, and Joe Williams, two-time World bronze medalist.

What: Same-day delay and on-demand coverage of 2007 World Wrestling Championships

Online: www.wcsn.com/wrestling

When: September 17 - 22, 2007

Schedule*:

Monday, September 17, 2007

- Men Greco- Roman 55-60-66kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

- Men Greco-Roman 74-84-96kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

- Men Greco- Roman 120kg, men's Freestyle 55 & 60kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Thursday, September 20, 2007

- Men's Freestyle 66-74-84kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Friday, September 21, 2007

- Men's Freestyle 96 & 120kg,

- Female Wrestling 48kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 12 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, September 22, 2007

- Female Wrestling 51-55-59kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, September 23, 2007

- Female Wrestling 63-67-72kg, Bronze & Gold Finals

- 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET

*Schedule subject to change. Visit www.wcsn.com/wrestling for the most up-to-date schedule.

Wrestling enthusiasts can follow every minute of the action online with live and on-demand coverage, via a $4.95 monthly subscription, plus free access to results, video highlights, breaking news, behind-the-scenes features, and more. Visit http://www.wcsn.com/ for detailed schedules.

About WCSN:

World Championship Sports Network (WCSN) is the premier destination for fans of Olympic and lifestyle sports, delivering an immersive experience via exclusive live and on demand coverage of world class competitions, interaction with top athletes and in depth access to sports news and information year round.

WCSN offers comprehensive coverage of over 60 sports disciplines, through exclusive long term programming agreements across a number of key International Federations and National Governing Bodies. Major championship events in sports ranging from Track & Field, Skiing, Swimming, Gymnastics and Cycling to Volleyball, Karate and Taekwondo are featured online at http://www.wcsn.com/ and on television via WCSN's 24/7 cable sports network. WCSN also markets Olympic sports in partnership with International Federations, National Governing Bodies, local organizations, clubs, sponsors, and through related websites and publications.