Sept. 1, 2006

Guatemala City- Competing against some of the world's finest wrestlers, Missouri redshirt freshman Max Askren (Hartland, Wis.) will begin his run at a Federation Internationnal des Luttes Associees (FILA) Junior World Freestyle Championship title, Saturday, Sept. 2, beginning at 5 p.m. (CT) in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

One of eight Americans on the United States Freestyle team, Askren, wrestling for Sunkist Kids, will compete at 96 kg (211.5 pounds). Askren's weight class contains 15 wrestlers from countries around the world including the United Arab Emirate, Japan, Kazakhstan, Hungary, Canada, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, El Salvador, Belarus, Iran, South Africa and Turkey.

In 2005, Iranian Moradi Amir Abbas claimed the 96 kg title with Turkish wrestler Riza Yilidrim claiming runner-up honors. Yilidrim is among the 15 competitors in this year's 96 kg class.

The week-long event began last Monday (Aug. 28) with the Greco-Roman weigh-ins and will conclude Sunday, Sept. 3, with the men's freestyle finals in the 55, 66, 84 and 120 kg weight class. Askren will complete his first weigh-in Friday, Sept. 1, at 6:30 p.m. (CT) followed by a 9 a.m. (CT) weigh-in Saturday morning. Competition at 50, 60, 74 and 96 kg begins Saturday at 5 p.m. (CT) with finals slated for a 6 p.m. (CT) start.

For complete results and a list of competitors, please visit the FILA WEBSITE