Tag Archives: Times Square

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USA Junior stars Fix, McKee, Hall and Valencia to wrestle Iranians at Beat the Streets “United In The Square,” in Times Square on May 19

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UWW Junior National champs Daton Fix, Mitchell McKee, Mark Hall & Zahid Valencia face Iranian freestyle opponents in first international age-group bouts in Times Square

NEW YORK, May 11, 2016 – The four Junior match-ups between the United States and Iran in freestyle wrestling have been finalized for the 2016 Beat the Streets international competition, which returns to New York City’s Times Square on Thursday, May 19.

This will feature talented stars from the USA and Iran in the UWW Junior age-group level, which is between 17-20 years old. It will be historic, as the first international age-group matches featured in a Beat the Streets event in Times Square.

All four of the U.S. wrestlers competing in Times Square were champions at their weight classes at the recent UWW Junior Nationals held in Las Vegas, Nev., April 29-30. This includes one college wrestling star and three of the nation’s best high school talents.

Daton Fix of Sand Springs, Okla. will face Kheyrollah Ghahramani of Iran at 55 kg/121 lbs. Fix was a bronze medalist at the 2015 UWW Cadet World Championships, and has been a UWW Junior Nationals champion for the last two years. Fix won a silver medal at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games, and was a 2013 Cadet Nationals champion in both styles. Ghahramani was a 2013 Cadet World bronze medalist and a 2012 Asian Cadet silver medalist.

Mitchell McKee of Hanover, Minn. will battle Peiman Biabani of Iran at 60 kg/132 lbs. McKee won the 2016 UWW Junior Nationals in freestyle and was second at the 2015 UWW Junior Nationals. At the 2015 Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D., McKee won a gold medal in Greco-Roman and a silver medal in freestyle. He was a 2014 Junior Nationals freestyle champion. McKee has signed with the University of Minnesota. Biabani was a 2015 Asian Junior champion and won a gold medal at the Senior-level Dan Kolov Tournament in Bulgaria this year.

Mark Hall of Apple Valley, Minn. has drawn Ahmad Bazrighaleh of Iran at 74 kg/163 lbs. Hall was a 2014 UWW Cadet World champion and was ninth in the 2015 UWW Junior World Championships. As a high school senior, he had an impressive 2-2 record at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. He was a 2013 USA Wrestling Cadet Triple Crown winner, earning national titles in folkstyle, Greco-Roman and freestyle the same year. Hall was the 2015 USA Today High School Wrestler of the Year, and won the 2016 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Hall, a six-time Minnesota state high school champion, has signed with Penn State University. Bazrighaleh was a 2014 Asian Cadet bronze medalist and was ninth at the 2014 Cadet World Championships.

Zahid Valencia of Bellflower, Calif. will go up against Mojtaba Goleij of Iran at 84 kg/185 lbs. Valencia is a freshman at Arizona State University, where he took a redshirt year this season. Valencia was 10th at the 2015 UWW Junior World Championships, and won the UWW Junior Nationals for the second straight year. Valencia won the 2012 and 2013 Cadet Nationals in freestyle and the 2013 Cadet Nationals in Greco-Roman. He was the 2015 ASICS High School Wrestler of the Year and won the 2015 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Goleij was a 2015 Junior World champion, and won a bronze medal at the 2014 Asian Junior Championships.

These four Junior matches will be added to the Main Event, which features five U.S. Olympic Team members facing top international opponents.

2012 Olympic champion, three-time World champion and 2016 Olympian Jordan Burroughs at 74 kg and 2016 Olympian and two-time NCAA champion J’Den Cox at 86 kg will face opponents from Iran. 2016 Olympian and three-time World champion Adeline Gray and 2016 Olympian and 2015 World champion Helen Maroulis will battle Canadian stars in women’s freestyle.  Two-time World bronze medalist and 2016 Olympian Andy Bisek will battle an Olympic and World champion from Korea at 75 kg in Greco-Roman.

The entire competition will be broadcast live on Flowrestling.

Billed as “United in the Square,” this will be the second time that Iran has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala competition. In 2013, the event dubbed “The Rumble on the Rails,” was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran.

The world-class competition has been hosted in Times Square four previous times. In 2011, the United States defeated World Champion Russia, 5-2, the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square. In 2012, another U.S. vs. Russia dual meet was held in Times Square, along with the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle. In 2014, Team USA defeated a World All-Star Team in Times Square, 8-3. In 2015, “Salsa in the Square” featured a meeting between Team USA and Team Cuba in the three Olympic styles, held shortly after the historic change in USA and Cuban political relations.
This will be the seventh straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Gala activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.

Top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 3:45 p.m. to start the evening. A new feature to be held is the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, featuring the two top New York City girl’s freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl’s freestyle season. Then it’s Team USA vs. Iran and other guests at 6 p.m., followed by the Beat the Streets Gala Celebration.

The Beat the Streets competition requires a ticket for reserved seating in Times Square, but is an outdoor event. Pedestrians and non-ticket holders are encouraged to watch. Admission tickets may be bought in advance atwww.btsny.org or 212.245.6570. A ticket is required for the Gala Celebration at the PlayStation Theater. More details are available at http://www.btsny.org/gala. The Gala Celebration will follow the wrestling competition.

This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets (BTS) raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one’s goals, creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.

“United In The Square,” Beat the Streets Matchups
In New York City, May 19, 2016
Men’s freestyle 74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) vs. Pehman Yarahmadi (Iran)
Men’s freestyle 86 kg/189 lbs. – J’Den Cox (USA) vs. Meisam Mostafa Joukar (Iran)
Greco-Roman 75 kg/165 lbs. – Andy Bisek (USA) vs. Kim Hyeon-Woo (Korea)
Women’s 53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Helen Maroulis (USA) vs. Samantha Stewart (Canada)
Women’s 75 kg/165 lbs.– Adeline Gray (USA) vs. Justina Di Stasio (Canada)
Junior men’s freestyle 55 kg/121 lbs. – Daton Fix (USA) vs. Kheyrollah Ghahramani (Iran)
Junior men’s freestyle 60 kg/132 lbs. – Mitchell McKee (USA) vs. Peiman Biabani (Iran)
Junior men’s freestyle 74 kg/163 lbs. – Mark Hall (USA) vs. Ahmad Bazrighaleh (Iran)
Junior men’s freestyle 84 kg/185 lbs. – Zahid Valencia (USA) vs. Mojtaba Goleij (Iran)
Note: Event will be broadcast by Flowrestling
Wrestling Schedule
3:45 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches between 42nd and 43rd Streets
4:45 p.m. – New York City Girl’s Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals between 42nd and 43rd Streets
6:30 p.m. – World Class Wrestling: Team USA vs. Team Iran, Team Canada and Team Korea between 42nd and 43rd Streets
Followed by Gala Celebration

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USA Women World champions Gray, Maroulis to face Canadian opponents in Beat the Streets “United In The Square,” in Times Square on May 19

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3X World champion Adeline Gray to battle Justina Distasio at 75 kg; World champion Helen Maroulis to face Samantha Stewart at 53 kg

NEW YORK, April 18, 2016 – World champion women wrestlers Adeline Gray and Helen Maroulis of the United States will compete against talented Canadian opponents as part of the 2016 Beat the Streets international competition, which returns to New York City’s Times Square on Thursday, May 19.

Gray is a three-time World champion who earned a spot on the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team with her victory at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on April 10. Gray will face 2015 Canadian World Team member Justina Distasio in a match at 75 kg/165 lbs.

Gray won World gold medals in 2012, 2014 and 2015, and is also a two-time World bronze medalist in 2011 and 2013. Gray is currently on a 37-match winning streak. She was a 2015 Pan American Games champion, is a two-time World Cup champion, and has also won World titles on the University and Junior levels. She is a native of Denver, Colo., and competes for the New York Athletic Club.

Di Stasio competed on the 2015 Canadian Senior World Team. She won gold medals in the 2015 and 2016 Pan American Championships, and was a silver medalist at the 2015 Pan American Games. Di Stasio was second at the 2016 Canadian Olympic Trials. She was fifth in the 2012 Junior World Championships. Di Stasio was a three-time WCWA Women’s College national champion for Simon Fraser University.

This is a rematch of the 2015 Pan American Games gold medal finals, won by Gray with a come-from-behind last-second score for a 9-6 victory.

It will be Gray’s first time competing in Times Square at a Beat the Streets competition, and Di Stasio will be making her Times Square debut as well.

Maroulis was a 2015 World champion at 55 kg, and has won a 2012 World silver medal and a 2013 World bronze medal. Maroulis recently won the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at 53 kg, and will be competing at the World Olympic Games Qualifier in Ulaanbataar, Mongolia, April 22–24, where she will attempt to qualify the United States for the Rio Olympic Games at her weight class.

Maroulis is a six-time U.S. Open champion. She has won two World Cup gold medals and 2011 Pan American Games champion. She won three career Junior World titles. Maroulis won four WCWA women’s college national titles for Simon Fraser University. She is a native of Rockville, Md. and competes for the Sunkist Kids.

Stewart was a bronze medalist at the 2012 World University Championships, and was a 2016 Pan American Championships gold medalist. She placed fourth in the 2009 Senior World Championships. Stewart has won medals at international competitions in Germany, Canada, France, Brazil and Romania. She won the Canadian Team Trials in December 2015.

Maroulis has competed in a Beat the Streets event three previous times, scoring victories in all of her bouts. She first competed in the “Rumble on the Rails” in Grand Central Terminal in 2013, pinning Irina Kisel of Russia in the second period. In 2014, she scored a pin over Marcia Andrades of Venezuela in 5:53 in Times Square at the “Team USA vs. the World” event. In 2015, she scored a 10-0 technical fall over Yamilka del Valle of Cuba in the “Salsa in the Square” in Times Square. This will be Stewart’s first appearance in a Beat the Streets event.

Competitors for Team USA will also compete in men’s freestyle against world power Iran. There will be two Olympic-level matches and four Junior-level matches as part of the men’s freestyle competition. In addition, there will also be Greco-Roman competition on the card. These matchups will be announced at a later date.

Billed as “United in the Square,” this will be the second time that Iran has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala competition. In 2013, the event dubbed “The Rumble on the Rails,” was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran.

The world-class competition has been hosted in Times Square four previous times. In 2011, the United States defeated World Champion Russia, 5-2, the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square. In 2012, another U.S. vs. Russia dual meet was held in Times Square, along with the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle. In 2014, Team USA defeated a World All-Star Team in Times Square, 8-3. In 2015, “Salsa in the Square” featured a meeting between Team USA and Team Cuba in the three Olympic styles, held shortly after the historic change in USA and Cuban political relations.

This will be the seventh straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Gala activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.

Top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 3:30 p.m. to start the evening. A new feature to be held is the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, featuring the two top New York City girl’s freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl’s freestyle season. Then it’s Team USA vs. Iran and other guests at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Beat the Streets Gala Celebration.

The Beat the Streets competition requires a ticket for reserved seating in Times Square, but is an outdoor event. Pedestrians and non-ticket holders are encouraged to watch. Admission tickets may be bought in advance atwww.btsny.org or 212.245.6570. A ticket is required for the Gala Celebration at the PlayStation Theater. More details are available athttp://www.btsny.org/gala.

The Gala Celebration will follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets (BTS) raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one’s goals, creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.

“United In The Square,” Beat the Streets Matchups

In New York City, May 19, 2016

 

Women’s 53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Helen Maroulis (USA) vs. Samantha Stewart (Canada)

Women’s 75 kg/165 lbs.– Adeline Gray (USA) vs. Justina Di Stasio (Canada)

Note: USA vs. Iran freestyle matches and featured Greco-Roman bout to be announced later.
Wrestling Schedule

3:30 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches between 42nd and 43rd Streets

4:45 p.m. – New York City Girl’s Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals between 42nd and 43rd Streets

6:30 p.m. – World Class Wrestling: Team USA vs. Team Iran between 42nd and 43rd Streets

Followed by Gala Celebration

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USA Wrestlers To Face Iran In Times Square In New York City May 19 In “United In The Square,” To Highlight Beat the Streets Gala Night

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Select American Stars To Take On Iran in Olympic-level and Junior-level matches Youth Wrestlers and High School Girl Wrestlers Take The Mat; Gala Follows

NEW YORK– In what will be a highlight of the Olympic year in wrestling and has become a rite of spring in New York, Beat the Streets Wrestling, Inc. and USA Wrestling announced details of this year’s international competition, which returns to New York City’s Times Square on Thursday, May 19.

Competitors for Team USA, which will include 2016 Olympic team hopefuls, will compete in men’s freestyle against world power Iran, a preview of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. In addition to Olympic-level matches, four Junior-level matches will be featured, showcasing future world and Olympic-caliber talent.

Members of the U.S. Women’s Team and Greco-Roman Team are also expected to battle in some other featured bouts against international competition to be announced.

“I couldn’t be more excited. We have Iran and the USA battling for wrestling supremacy in Times Square; united in the idea that sports can bring change in young men and women and even in countries sometimes. It’s going to be pretty cool. An added plus is that Iran has the loudest and most passionate wrestling fans in the world. Don’t miss it,” said Beat the Streets Chairman of the Board Mike Novogratz, the founder of these Gala competitions.

Billed as “United in the Square,” this will be the second time that Iran has been featured as part of the Beat the Streets Gala competition.

In 2013, the event dubbed “The Rumble on the Rails,” was hosted in historic Grand Central Terminal and featured dual meets between Team USA, Russia and Iran. Playing an important role in the international Keep Olympic Wrestling effort, this historic wrestling event gained international media coverage and helped wrestling retain its status on the Olympic Games program.

The world-class competition has been hosted in Times Square four previous times. In 2011, the United States defeated World Champion Russia, 5-2, the first sports event ever held in historic Times Square. In 2012, another U.S. vs. Russia dual meet was held in Times Square, along with the U.S. Olympic Team Wrestle-off for the 60 kg/132 lbs. position on the U.S. Olympic Team in men’s freestyle. In 2014, Team USA defeated a World All-Star Team in Times Square, 8-3. In 2015, “Salsa in the Square” featured a meeting between Team USA and Team Cuba in the three Olympic styles, held shortly after the historic change in USA and Cuban political relations.

This will be the seventh straight year in which a major international-style wrestling competition will be hosted as part of the Beat the Streets Gala activities. In 2010, an all-star challenge featuring top U.S. wrestlers was held on the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier docked on the west side of Manhattan.

Top Beat the Streets youth wrestlers will take the mat showcasing their skills in exhibition matches beginning at 3:30 p.m. to start the evening. A new feature will be held at the PSAL Girls Freestyle Dual Meet Championships finals, featuring the two top New York City girl’s freestyle wrestling high school teams from the spring girl’s freestyle season. Then it’s Team USA vs. Iran and other guests at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Beat the Streets Gala Celebration.

The USA vs. Iran dual requires a ticket for reserved seating in Times Square, but is an outdoor event. Pedestrians and non-ticket holders are encouraged to watch. Admission tickets may be bought in advance at www.btsny.org or212.245.6570. A ticket is required for the Gala Celebration at the PlayStation Theater. More details are available at http://www.btsny.org/gala.

The Gala Celebration will follow the wrestling competition. This unique and electrifying annual event helps Beat the Streets (BTS) raise significant funds to further its mission. Whether it’s providing a safe, constructive outlet for our urban youth, fighting childhood obesity, empowering women, or uniting entire nations, wrestling teaches persistence, dedication, and the value of working hard to achieve one’s goals, creates opportunities for personal and universal growth. BTS currently serve over 3,000 student-athletes every year.

“United In The Square,” Beat the Streets Wrestling Schedule

In New York City, May 19, 2016

3:30 p.m. – Beat the Streets Youth Exhibition Matches between 42nd and 43rd Streets

4:45 p.m. – New York City Girl’s Freestyle Dual Meet Championships Finals between 42nd and 43rd Streets

6:30 p.m. – World Class Wrestling: Team USA vs. Team Iran between 42nd and 43rd Streets

Followed by Gala Celebration

About Beat the Streets

The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City’s student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and summer camps. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.

About USA Wrestling

USA Wrestling is the National Governing Body for the Sport of Wrestling in the United States and, as such, is its representative to the United States Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling, the international wrestling federation. Simply, USA Wrestling is the central organization that coordinates amateur wrestling programs in the nation and works to create interest and participation in these programs. It has over 220,000 members across the nation, boys and girls, men and women of all ages, representing all levels of the sport. Its president is James Ravannack, and its Executive Director is Rich Bender. More information can be found at TheMat.com

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Beat The Streets New York Announces Partnership With FloSports To Live Stream All Matches From Times Square

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‘Salsa in the Square’ event to feature Team USA and Cuban National Team wrestlers in annual fundraiser

NEW YORK (May 12, 2015)– Beat the Streets New York (BTSNY) Executive Director, Jim Fallis announced today that BTSNY and FloSports will partner to live stream all the matches on May 21, in Times Square, as part of the annual fundraising Gala. This year’s event, “Salsa in the Square,” will feature Olympic wrestlers from Team USA and the Cuban national team. Prior to the Olympic matches, BTS youth will compete in match ups in freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco.

“This is an historic partnership in that it is the first time that we will have a media partner that will stream all the matches and work hand in hand in the marketing of our event,” said Fallis. “As we grow and continue to provide more kids in New York City with the opportunity to beat the streets through wrestling, bringing our message to a larger audience will be critical. This partnership is a huge step in doing that and taking our event to the next level. I want to thank FloSports and all the people that made this possible and we look forward to the thousands of fans that will be able to enjoy live streaming of over 30 matches during the day.”

“We’re really excited to work with Beat the Streets New York to live stream this high-profile wrestling event,” FloSports CEO Martin Floreani said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to highlight some really talented wrestlers and also to raise awareness for a non-profit that is doing excellent work with youth.”

Broadcasting will begin at 3:45 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 21 on FloWrestling.com, with matches that will highlight wrestlers from Beat the Streets New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore. There will be five matches featuring girls and wrestlers from five different states.
During the Cuba vs USA match, BTSNY will present their annual outstanding awards to student athletes from the BTS program.

The lineup for the main event will be released shortly.

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ABOUT FLOSPORTS
FloSports, an innovative sports media and events company based in Austin, Texas, changes the way athletes and fans interact with their passion in sports. Focused on untapped sports markets historically neglected by traditional media, FloSports brings together fragmented communities and provides them the platform to connect with the sports they love through live streaming of premier events, original video programming, weekly studio shows, branded entertainment, and event creation and execution. FloSports is dedicated to growing and elevating these communities that share a deep commitment to the sports that matter to them at FloTrack.com, FloWrestling.com and Gymnastike.com

ABOUT BEAT THE STREETS
The mission of Beat the Streets is to develop the full human and athletic potential of the urban youth and to strengthen the culture of New York City wrestling. BTSW works directly with the New York City Department of Education in a public-private partnership to help New York City’s student-athletes achieve their personal and athletic goals. Through the operation of wrestling programs in middle and high schools in the five boroughs, BTSW and the DOE provide a safe, positive atmosphere in which disadvantaged and at-risk youth can learn the essential life skills of physical fitness, teamwork, and self-empowerment. The goal of fostering strong, dedicated, and optimistic kids is delivered through coaching, after-school programs, and mentoring. More information can be found at www.btsny.org.