Fresno State Athletics
Stephen Abas Advances to Olympic Freestyle Semifinals
8/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Aug. 27, 2004
FRESNO, Calif. - With three victories by USA Wrestling in the freestyle quarterfinal round at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece, Stephen Abas continues to set his sights for higher ground after recording two wins to move into the semifinals on Sat., Aug. 28. In territory never reached before, Abas is taking it all in stride after posting a come-from-behind victory to win his pool before handily defeating another opponent in the quarterfinals. In his first bout, Abas met 2002 World Champion Rene Montero of Cuba in the 55 kg/121 lb division. Falling behind 3-0 in the match, Abas responded with a takedown early in the second period for a 3-1 score. Abas then got within one when he notched another takedown (3-2) with a half a minute to go. In stunning fashion, Abas turned Montero with a two-point gut wrench with 18 seconds left on the clock for an amazing 4-3 victory. Winning pool A, Abas met China's Li Zhengyu for rights to move into the semis. With seconds left in the first period, Abas struck first dramatically after posting a takedown in addition to turning a quick high gut wrench for a 3-0 lead. With less than 30 seconds left on the clock, Abas again struck quickly and efficiently when he nailed a three-point takedown with exposure to go up 6-0. While dropping the match 6-1, Zhengyu did avoid the shutout when he scored a one-point reversal against Abas. With the pair of wins, Abas will battle Japan's Chikara Tanabe at the 9:30 a.m. session (Athens) on Sat., Aug. 28. The other semifinal will showcase Russia's Mavlet Batirov against Greece's Amiran Karntanov. NOTE: While there is a 10 hour difference between Athens and Pacific time, trying to catch the freestyle wrestling on NBC affiliates might entail plenty of television surfing. There are several times in which Abas could be showcased. NBC will broadcast the semis at either 12:30 a.m., 12 noon or 2:00 p.m. (PST) on Sat., Aug. 29. In addition, CNBC is carrying the semis at either 5:00 a.m. or 8:00-10:00 a.m. (PST) on Sat., Aug. 29. The finals are scheduled for broadcast on CNBC on Sun., Aug. 30, at 3:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m.-12 noon (PST). For a TV listing of Olympic events, visit www.nbcolympics.com. Men's freestyle Olympic Games session 2 quotes
by John Fuller/USA Wrestling 55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif.
Do you feel good about your chances for gold here?
"This is the farthest I have ever made it at this level. I'm ready to take it to a whole new level now." What were your thoughts when you were down 3-0 to the Cuban?
"I think I just tried to score as many points as I could. I tried to stay offensive and keep the pressure on him. It just seemed to turn out my way." What was your reaction when you saw the draw yesterday?
"I was a little surprised. It was actually something I said was pointed to me, just for the simple face that I've wrestled this Cuban before and I wrestled Tulbea in the quarterfinals last year at the Worlds. It was funny just for the simple fact that I've wrestled those guys before and I knew I could beat them both." NOTE: Going 10-1 on the day, the United States advanced three athletes into the semifinals; they can finish no lower than fourth in their respective weight class. U.S. match results for Fri., Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m. session (Athens)
55 kg/121 lbs.
Stephen Abas (USA) dec. Roberto Montero (Cuba), 4-3
Stephen Abas (USA) dec. Li Zhengyu (China), 6-1
66 kg/145.5 lbs
Jamill Kelly (USA) dec. Elman Asgarov (Azerbaijan), 3-2, ot, 6:23
84 kg/185 lbs.
Cael Sanderson (USA) dec. Serhei Borchanka (Ukraine), 9-1
Cael Sanderson (USA) dec. Majid Khodaei (Iran), 6-5, ot, 6:17
120 kg/264.5 lbs
Marid Mutalimov (Kazakhstan) dec. Kerry McCoy (USA), 4-1, ot, 6:11 Semifinal pairings for Sat., Aug. 28 at 9:30 a.m. (Athens)
55 kg/121 lbs.
Stephen Abas (United States) vs. Chihara Tanabe (Japan) Mavlet Batirov (Russia) vs. Amiran Karntanov (Greece) 66 kg/145.5 lbs
Leonid Spiridonov (Kazakhstan) vs. Elbrus Tedeev (Ukraine) Jamill Kelly (USA) vs. Makhach Murtazaliev (Russia) 84 kg/185 lbs.
Cael Sanderson (USA) vs. Yoel Romero (Cuba) Sajid Sajidov (Russia) vs. Moon Eui Jae (Korea) 120 kg/264.5 lbs.
Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan) vs. Aydin Polatci (Turkey) Marid Mutalimov (Kazakhstan) vs. Ali Reza Rezaei (Iran)
