(Photo by Gina DeSabatino – Double G Media)

Just another busy evening in Time Square? Not so much if you like traditional wrestling. 

The Beat the Streets Benefit was held for the eighth-straight year, and sixth time in Times Square, to raise funds on behalf of Beat the Streets in New York City, which supports youth wrestling opportunities for local girls and boys.

While the U.S. squad featured Olympic and world champions on Wednesday, many of Japan’s top wrestlers were absent due to the Asian Championships.

On The Women’s Side 

Japan’s Yuki Irie, the 2012 world junior champion and a Senior Asian champion, won the first East meets West match 10-6 over Victoria Anthony, a twice junior world champion, in the 48 kg class, but that was as good as it got for the visitors.

Helen Maroulis, who became the first U.S. woman to win Olympic gold at last summer’s Rio Games, was tested by world junior champion Yuzuru Kumano before prevailing 7-4 in the 58 kg match.

“I was really excited to wrestle this Japanese girl,” Maroulis said afterwards. “Anytime you get to wrestle one of them it’s just a really great experience.

“They always bring a fire, they always bring a discipline and a respect and push, so you know it’s going to be a good battle.”

Tony Ramos and Jordan Burroughs Shines On The Mat 

Tony Ramos won his 57 kg match 10-0, world champion Logan Stieber was an 11-0 winner at 61 kg, James Green won at 70 kg by 10-0, World and Olympic champion Kyle Snyder posted a 10-0 win at 97 kg and Nick Gwiazdowski won the 125 kg match by 11-0.

Three-times world champion and 2012 Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs closed the program with a 9-2 victory over 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke Takatani.

“He’s a tough guy. I know he’s one of the potential opponents for the world championships in Paris,” Burroughs said. Burroughs has his sights set on his seventh-straight U.S. World Team next month at the U.S. World Team Trials in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

Amazing to say, there were five participants at the Beat the Streets Benefit who have combined to win 10 Olympic and World gold medals. Seven total participants have won at least one World medal throughout their career. Many of the fans in attendance and the overlooking walking by, really enjoyed the showcase of young athletes on display.  Each year, the interest of the showcase just seems to keep getting bigger and bigger. No telling what the 2018 edition of the showcase may bring. 

East Meets West Results
Men’s Freestyle 55 kg/121.25 lbs. – Daton Fix (Oklahoma) tech. fall Joey Melendez (Illinois), 14-1
Women’s Freestyle 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Yuki Irie (Japan) dec. Victoria Anthony (USA), 10-6
Women’s Freestyle 69 kg/152 lbs. – Tamyra Mensah (USA) dec. Miwa Morikawa (Japan), 5-1
Women’s Freestyle 58 kg/128 lbs. – Helen Maroulis (USA) dec. Yuzuru Kumano (Japan), 7-4
Men’s Freestyle 70 kg/154 lbs. – Frank Chamizo (Italy) dec. Jordan Oliver (USA), 7-6
Men’s Freestyle 57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Tony Ramos (USA) tech. fall Steven Takahashi (Canada), 10-0
Men’s Freestyle 61 kg/134 lbs. – Logan Stieber (USA) tech. fall Shingo Arimoto (Japan), 11-0
Men’s Freestyle 65 kg/143 lbs. – Zain Retherford (USA) dec. Daichi Takatani (Japan), 8-2
Men’s Freestyle 70 kg/154 lbs. – James Green (USA) tech. fall Nobuyoshi Takojima (Japan), 10-0
Men’s Freestyle 86 kg/189 lbs. – David Taylor (USA) fall Takahiro Murayama (Japan), 1:19
Men’s Freestyle 97 kg/213 lbs. – Kyle Snyder (USA) tech. fall Koki Yamamoto (Japan), 10-0
Men’s Freestyle 125 kg/275 lbs. – Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) tech. fall Katsutoshi Kanazawa (Japan), 11-0
Men’s Freestyle 74 kg/163 lbs. – Jordan Burroughs (USA) dec. Sohsuke Takatani (Japan), 9-2