Wrestlers aiming for Olympics

Wednesday, April 19, 2000 | 10:04 a.m.

Billed as "Real Wrestling, Real Heroes" to distinguish itself from the "Hollywood" version, more than 2,500 Olympic-style wrestlers are in Las Vegas this week for the 2000 United States National Wrestling Championships.

The event is being held today through Saturday at the Convention Center and features more than 30 local wrestlers.

The competition is the only Olympic qualifying event being held in Las Vegas this year, and includes the U.S. Freestyle Nationals, the U.S. Greco-Roman Nationals, the U.S. Women's Nationals, the U.S. Veteran's Nationals, the U.S. Deaf Freestyle/Greco Roman Nationals and the 24-hour Team Sports Western Junior Regionals.

ESPN2 will televise the event nationally on a tape-delayed basis. The first airing is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. on May 15.

The Greco-Roman portion of the 24-hour Team Sports Western Regionals will open the championships today followed by the Freestyle competition for juniors on Thursday and Friday.

The U.S. Veteran's Nationals will start Thursday and finish Friday.

Men's Greco-Roman and Freestyle battles start Friday along with Women's Freestyle. Preliminary rounds in the U.S. Deaf Nationals will be held today and Thursday.

The spectacular gold medal matches for men's Freestyle, men's Greco Roman, women's freestyle and both U.S. Deaf Nationals divisions will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.

Preferred seating daily tickets are $30 while general admission daily tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students 6-17. Call 735-5862 for information.