U.S. abas wins gold medal

Monday, Aug. 10, 1998 | 11:18 a.m.

SPECIAL TO THE SUN

PRIMM -- Stephen Abas of Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) won the gold medal in the 123.25 pound division, highlighting action at the 1998 Junior World Freestyle Championships Sunday at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm.

This major international competition features athletes from 17-20 years old, representing 33 nations. Many of the competitors are expected to be medal hopefuls for the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Abas defeated Mais Ibadov of Uzbekistan, 5-3 in the gold medal finals. Abas jumped to a 3-1 lead, but Ibadov rebounded with a two-point exposure with one minute left to tie the bout at 3-3. Abas took Ibadov down for a two-point takedown in the closing seconds for the victory and the gold medal.

Abas placed fifth in the 1997 Junior World Championships. As a freshman at Fresno State this past year, he placed fourth in the NCAA Championships. Abas is nationally ranked on senior level, placing fifth in the Freestyle World Team Trials. He was a 1998 University Nationals champion.

Claiming silver medals for the United States were T. J. Hill of Farmington, Mo. (Dave Schultz WC) at 108 pounds and Zachary Thompson of Cleveland, Ohio (Cyclone WC) at 198.25 pounds.

Reggie Wright of Maywood, Ill. (Cougar WC) placed fourth at 143.25 pounds. He was defeated in the bronze medal match by Majid Mohammadi of Iran, by technical fall, 11-0 in 3:59. He won his first match of the day, defeating Mirzaev Zahid of Azerbaijan, 6-3, which placed him in the bronze medal match.