ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Who will be the kings and queens of the beach in 2007?

The 2007 U.S. Beach National Wrestling Championships and World Team Trials will be held on Charlotte Beach in Rochester, N.Y., July 7-8. A new set of Beach Wrestling national champions will be crowned on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Beach Wrestling was added as a new style of international wrestling, starting in 2005. Athletes compete on sand, in a style that features takedowns within a ring. The sport has been growing in popularity across the nation. Athletes from across the United States will travel to Rochester to test themselves. It is high quality wrestling competition with a fun atmosphere.

There will be competition at five age divisions at the U.S. Beach National Championships: Schoolboy/girl, Cadet, Junior, Senior (men and women) and Veterans. In all age groups, weight classes will be determined after weighins, using the blocked weight system. There should be a number of weight classes in each of the age divisions.

In addition to outstanding wrestling action during the weekend, it will be a weekend of fun, with many activities along Lake Ontario alongside the U.S. Beach Nationals. Also held during the weekend are two other major sports events, the American Power Boat Association’s Toyota Water Jam and the New York Beach Volleyball Championships. In addition, the Ontario Beach Sports and Music Festival will be held during the weekend.

The Beach National Championships is guaranteed to be held, rain or shine, and can not be rained out. It was scheduled over two days to allow adjustments if needed. However, if the weather does not cooperate, the event can be moved to Hot Shots Indoor Volleyball in Rochester, an outstanding indoor beach volleyball facility where the tournament could be hosted.

The first U.S. Beach Wrestling National Championships were held at the Hilton Singer Island Waterfront Resort in Riviera Beach, Fla., August 19, 2006. The USA Wrestling record books now list the first set of national champions in this new international style of wrestling. Will anybody be able to win the Beach Nationals title for a second year in a row?

The World Team Trials on the Senior level will determine the U.S. team to compete in the Beach Wrestling competition at the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey, Sept. 7-9.

Only the World Team Trials will feature the international weights for Beach Wrestling: Men (Under 85 kg/187.25 lbs. and Over 85 kg/187.25 lbs) and Women (Under 70 kg/154 lbs. and Over 70 kg/154 lbs.). The top three placewinners at each weight class will earn the right to participate at the World Championships.

At the first World Beach Wrestling Championships last year, the U.S. entered six athletes, winning three medals. The United States placed second as a team in the men’s division and third as a team in the women’s division.

Ray Downey (Babylon, N.Y./East Meadow WC), won a bronze medal at the Men’s Under 85 kg/187.5 lbs. division while Angelo Borzio (Stroudsburg, Pa.) captured the bronze medal at the Men’s Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs. In the women’s Under 70 kg/154 lbs. weight class, Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./Prince of Battle) also earned a bronze medal.

At least one of the Beach World medalists have confirmed that they will be competing in Rochester. Ray Downey will be on the beach in Rochester, N.Y., competing in both the Senior and the Veterans divisions. Another member of that historic inaugural Beach World Team, Carlos Dolmo of Bronx, N.Y., has registered to compete at the Men’s Over 85 kg/187.5 lbs. division.

There is still time for athletes to make plans to attend the U.S. Beach National Wrestling Championships and World Team Trials in Rochester, N.Y., July 6-8.

Athletes may register on site, but all are encouraged to sign up in advanced in order to receive a discount on their entry fee.

All participants can sign up online at the following link:
https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/registration/BasicPreReg1.jsp?tournamentGroupId=175009

All athletes SHOULD pre-register on-line at by 6:00 PM (EST), Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 or will be subjected to a late fee.

Entry fee is $20 if pre-registered by 6:00 PM (EST), Tuesday, July 3rd, or if registering on-site: $25 for Schoolboy/girl, Cadet, and Juniors; $30 for Seniors and Veterans. Please make checks payable to “Titan Wrestling Club.”

For information, contact event directors Don Murray at 585-395-5360 or John Leone at 585-249-6466.

USA Wrestling Beach National Championships Schedule
Friday, July 6
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. - Early Beach Wrestling National Championships Registration, Medical Check & Weigh-ins (at Hot Shots Indoor Volleyball)

Saturday, July 7
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. - Beach Wrestling National Championships Registration, Medical Check & Weigh-ins for all divisions (at Charlotte Beach)
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. - Beach Wrestling National Championships Competition
7:00 p.m. - All-Athlete Social: includes athletes from wrestling, volleyball, jet-skiing, etc. (at NOLA’s New Orleans Louisiana BBQ)

Sunday, July 8
10:00 a.m. – conclusion - Beach Wrestling World Team Trials Competition
-- Sunday will also be an emergency make-up day for competition in case of inclement weather on Saturday.