Lowney Upsets Russian Wrestler

S Y D N E Y, Australia, Sept. 24 -- Garrett Lowney, a 20-year-old wrestlercompeting in his first major international tournament, scored oneof America’s biggest upsets ever in Greco-Roman by defeatingRussia’s five-time world champion 8-3 today.

Lowney, in danger of losing in overtime on two passivitywarnings after squandering a 3-0 lead, stunned Gogui Koguouachviliwith a five-point throw at 7:50 of the match to advance to thequarterfinals at the Olympics.

Eleven world and three Olympic champions competed in theGreco-Roman wrestling but by the end of the day just four ofthem remained in the tournament.

As the top names fell by the wayside, several young starsof the future scored impressive victories.

Vartares Samourgachev

The 21-year-old European champion, Russian Vartares Samourgachev, was the first to strike, eliminating reigning Olympic champion, WlodzimierzZawadzki of Poland.

Samourgachev also beat former World champion, Seref Erogluof Turkey.

But the most dramatic upset of the day belonged to Lowney.

Banner Day for U.S. Team

Lowney, cheered on by a vocal, 50-member group of friends andfamily from the Minneapolis area, earlier had beaten Marek Svec ofthe Czech Republic 2-0 at 213¾ pounds.

By defeating both wrestlers in his three-man pool, Lowneyadvances and eliminates Koguouachvili, who cannot get a medal.Koguachvili and three-time Olympic super heavyweight championAlexander Karelin of Russia were the biggest favorites in the eightweight classes.

Lowney, who will be 21 next week, is eight years younger thanany other U.S. Greco-Roman Olympic wrestler.

His victory highlighted one of the United States’ best days everin Greco-Roman as three wrestlers advanced into the championshipround.

The United States hasn’t won a gold medal in Greco-Roman sincethe boycotted Los Angeles Games in 1984 and came away from theAtlanta Games in 1996 with only three silver medals.

Matt Lindland, whose legal appeal to make the team went all theway to the Supreme Court, won three matches at 167½ pounds to winhis four-man pool and advance into the semifinals.