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Sunday, May 8

ISTANBUL, Turkey – Three U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for the 2nd World Olympic Games Qualifier, which begins on Friday at the Bagcilar Sports Complex.The U.S. will be represented by U.S. Olympic Team Trials champions Jesse Thielke (Germantown, Wis./New York AC/OTC) at 59 kg/130 lbs., RaVaughn Perkins (Omaha, Neb./New York AC/OTC) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. and Joe Rau (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm) at 98 kg/215 lbs.This is the last opportunity for nations to qualify for the Rio Olympic Games in the 18 Olympic weight classes. The top two placewinners in each of the 18 weight classes in Istanbul qualify their nations to compete at the Olympic Games. Nations may only enter athletes in this tournament in weight classes which they have not already qualified for Rio.All three U.S. athletes competed in the 1st World Olympic Qualifier in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia in April but fell short of the qualifying standard.Thielke opens against 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and 2013 World bronze medalist Peter Modos of Hungary. Thielke, who wrestled at the Univ. of Wisconsin, was a member of the 2013 U.S. World Team. Thielke was also third in the 2012 Junior World Championships.Perkins will compete against 2012 Asian champion Pan Zheng of China in the first round. Perkins was a 2014 U.S. Open champion and won the 2016 Dave Schultz Memorial International.In the Mongolia Qualifier, Perkins had a 4-2 record, winning a bronze medal, but losing in the special Olympic Qualification match to finish fourth.Rau will open up again 2015 Mediterranean Championships silver medalist Narek Setaghyan of Spain. Rau, an NCAA Div. III champion for Elmhurst College, was on the 2014 U.S. World Team.If any of these athletes do not reach the finals in Istanbul, the United States will not have an Olympian at that weight class.So far, there have been three stages of Olympic Qualification. In these phases, the United States qualified for the Rio Olympic Games in 12 weight classes, but did not qualify in six other weight classes. There will be three Greco-Roman wrestlers, two women’s freestyle wrestlers, and one men’s freestyle wrestlers from the United States wrestling in Turkey.United World Wrestling is expected to have a live web stream of the competition from Istanbul, and also live results on its website.For those who enjoy following on Twitter, the hashtag is #LastChance2RioPlease note that Istanbul is seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time zone. TheMat.com and all of USA Wrestling’s social media platforms will also provide extensive coverage. The first session of the Greco-Roman tournament will begin at 3:00 a.m. Friday U.S. Eastern Time.59 kg/130 lbs. – Jesse Thielke, Germantown, Wis. (New York AC/OTC)Vs. Peter Modos (Hungary), 2012 Olympic bronze medalist, 2013 World bronze medalist, 2nd in 2012 European Championships66 kg/145.5 lbs. – RaVaughn Perkins, Omaha, Neb. (New York AC/OTC)Vs. Pan Zheng (China), 2012 Asian champion, 3rd in 2015 Asian Championships, 5th in 2007 Junior World Championships98 kg/215 lbs. – Joe Rau, Minneapolis, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)Vs. Narek Setaghyan (Spain), 2nd in 2015 Mediterranean Championships, 3rd in 2013 Grand Prix of SpainGreco-Roman (59 kg, 66 kg, 75 kg, 85 kg, 98 kg, 130 kg)U.S. contestants: Jesse Thielke (59kg), RaVaughn Perkins (66kg), Joe Rau (98 kg)10:00 a.m. - Qualification rounds and repechage5:30 p.m. - Opening Ceremony6:00 p.m. – Finals and Award CeremoniesWomen’s Freestyle (48 kg, 53 kg, 58 kg, 63 kg, 69 kg, 75 kg)U.S. contestants: Kelsey Campbell (58kg), Tamyra Mensah (69kg)10:00 a.m. - Qualification rounds and repechage6:00 p.m. – Finals and Award CeremoniesMen’s Freestyle (57 kg, 65 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg)U.S. entries: Frank Molinaro (65 kg)10:00 a.m. - Qualification rounds and repechage6:00 p.m. – Finals and Award Ceremonies