Henry Cejudo after clinching gold in 2008 / USA Wrestling

After a disappointing showing at the 2010 FILA Wrestling World Championships, USA Wrestling will kick off the new international wrestling season with the annual Sunkist Kids International Open. The event will be held of the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz. on Oct. 22.

The event will feature tournaments in men’s freestyle, women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman style wrestling. The Sunkist Kids International Open also serves as a qualifier for the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials.

Last year, Bellator welterweight tournament champion Ben Askren finished second in the 84 kg weight class. He fell in the finals to his collegiate nemesis Chris Pendleton. Two other champions, Jake Fisher and Kelsey Campbell, went on to earn spots on the 2010 World Team.

MMA converts, Daniel Cormier and Joe Warren, have both previously won the Sunkist International Open during their wrestling careers.

2009 Sunkist Kids International Open champions from TheMat.com

Greco-Roman champion
55 kg/121 lbs. – Nate Engel (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/ 132 lbs. – Joe Betterman (Sunkist Kids)
66 kg /145.5 lbs. – Jacob Curby (New York AC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Jake Fisher (New York AC)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Cheney Haight (New York AC)
96 kg/ 211.5 lbs.- Zac Nielsen (Minnesota Storm)
120 kg/ 264.5 lbs. – Brandon Rupp (New York AC)

Men’s freestyle champions
55 kg/121 lbs. – Sam Hazewinkel (Sunkist Kids)
60 kg/132.25 lbs. – Nate Gallick (Sunkist Kids)
66 kg/145.5 lbs. – Jared Frayer (Gator WC)
74 kg/163 lbs. – Michael Poeta (Lehigh Valley Athletic Club)
84 kg/185 lbs. – Chris Pendleton (Gator WC)
96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Arturo Basulto (MeatHead WC)
120 kg/264.5 lbs – Aaron Anspach (Nittany Lion WC)

Women’s freestyle champions
48 kg/105.75 lbs. – Ashley McKilligan (Canada-BMWC)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Genevieve Haley (Canada)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jillian Gallays (Canada)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Sara McMann (Sunkist Kids)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Adeline Gray (New York AC)
72 kg/158.75 lbs. – Iris Smith (U.S. Army)

2 thoughts on “The Sunkist International Open set to take place in October”
  1. Hopefully these guys can step up and beat the eastern Europeans and Asians. Although I don’t see it happening.

    I think Frayer has the best shot.

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