Aug. 18, 2008
Columbia, Mo. -Two-time NCAA National Champion and current Missouri wrestling volunteer coach Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) will begin his run for an Olympic Gold medal in the men's freestyle 74 kg weight class Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Beijing China. Fans interested in viewing the tournament can watch Askren in the preliminary competition available online at www.nbcolympics.com from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. (CT), TUESDAY, AUGUST 19. (Columbia, Mo., is 13 hours behind Beijing, China). The medal round for the 74 kg weight class can be seen online from 3 a.m. to 5:50 a.m. (CT) or from 4 a.m.-10 a.m. (CT) on MSNBC, Wednesday, Aug. 20.
Numerous fans, including Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith, have made the trip to Beijing in support of Askren's first Olympic appearance. Missouri Assistant Coach Shawn Charles was asked by USA Wrestling to serve as one of Askren's coaches throughout the tournament.
"I'm very excited about this honor to be a part of Ben's Olympic experience and help him win the gold," Charles said.
Brackets for the 74 kg weight class are still being determined and should be released shortly. Askren is one of 21 individuals competing in the 74 kg weight class. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Bouvaisa Saitiev of Russia, 1996 and 2004, returns for his third attempt at a first-place finish.
