Oklahoma State University Athletics
Guerrero Captures Gold at World Cup Trials
April 19, 2003 | Cowboy Wrestling
“It is good to win,” Guerrero said. “I have bigger things in mind. This is a stepping stone for me. It is good to have this victory behind me.”
The former Cowboy wrestled Daniel Wilde of Germany in the first round of the tournament. Guerrero recorded a pair of takedowns in the first period to take a 2-1 lead. He then notched his final takedown in the second period before winning 3-1 and helping the USA defeat the World-Select team, 24-3.
The San Jose, Calif., native battled Wilde again in the USA’s match against Germany. Guerrero blistered Wilde, scoring five takedowns with a pair of two-point exposures before securing the 10-0 technical fall.
Guerrero’s win helped Team USA defeat Germany, 22-4.
The three-time NCAA Champion defeated Victor Bilokopitiy of Ukraine, 5-1, in his third match. Guerrero scored a trip of takedowns in the first period to take a 3-1 lead heading into the final period.
Guerrero then recorded a pair of single-leg takedowns in the second period to stay undefeated in the tournament. He helped Team USA win its third match of the tournament with a 23-2 victory over the Ukraine.
In the finals of the 2003 World Cup Team Trials, Team USA matched up against Russia.
Guerrero tested his 3-0 record against Russia’s National Champion Zelimkhan Gousseinov.
The three-time World Team member rushed out to a 2-0 lead only to see Gousseinov take the lead with a three-point move. Guerrero tied the score at 3-3 after scoring a takedown with :11 left in the first.
“That’s their national champion,” Guerrero said. “I don’t feel he really scored on me. Those three points he got were a gift. These are all tough competitors here.”
Guerrero secured the victory after scoring on a two-point exposure at the 3:45 mark. Team USA went on to defeat Russia to win the 2003 World Cup Team Trials.
“Being out there and winning the title is good, especially after having the flu all week,” Guerrero said. “I only worked out two times, and those were light workouts. I feel confident I can come out and perform, in spite of the challenges.”
Results
Individual Eric Guerrero (USA) dec. Daniel Wilde (Germany) , 3-1 Eric Guerrero (USA) tech fall Daniel Wilde (Germany), 10-0 at 3:54 Eric Guerrero (USA) dec. Victor Bilokopitiy (Ukraine), 5-1 Eric Guerrero (USA) dec. Zelimkhan Gousseinov (Russia), 5-3
Final Team Standings 1. United States, 4-0 record, 8 pts. 2. World Select Team, 3-1 record, 6 pts. 3. Ukraine, 1-2-1 record, 3 pts. 4. Russia, 1-3 record, 2 pts. 5. Germany, 0-3-1 record, 1 pt.
