US Wrestling Team Disappointed at Iran, Russia Absence in UWW Freestyle World Cup

The international dual meet, featuring some of the world’s best wrestlers, will run April 7-8 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, in Iowa City, Iowa.

“It’s disappointing that they weren’t able to make it to the event because they have great wrestling traditions,” Zadick told desmoinesregister.com. “Despite our difference in politics on the government side, our federations share a brotherhood and have a really positive relationships that I think both sides value.

“It’ll be a great tournament, great event. We’re super excited to be here in Iowa. We’ll be ready, because we know the rest of the world is ready to come at us.”

Jordan Burroughs also expressed disappointment over the lack of Iran and Russia in this World Cup.

“Absolutely, we want Iran and Russia to be here,” said Jordan Burroughs, Team USA’s starter at 74-kilograms and a five-time world and Olympic champion. “Iran has won the last six World Cups in a row. Every year I’ve wrestled in the World Cup, and we’ve never won as a team, we’ve been beaten by Iran. We wanted those guys to be here. We wanted Russia to be here.

“But at the end of the day, we’re the returning world champs. We are the world champions. At this point, we’d expect those guys to want to be here to knock us off,” he added.