Saitiev will be the man to beat in Beijing

Posted: Friday 18th July 2008 | 12:32

WRESTLING superstar Buvaisar Saitiev will again be the man to beat in Beijing but American rookie Ben Askren believes he's the man to end his dominance of the sport.

The 33-year-old Russian - who won in Atlanta and Athens during a ten year period that saw him win 17 of the 19 international events he entered - has struggled with injuries in recent years.

Saitiev had a neck trauma last year but is fit to defend his crown and Askren, who has won the American championships in 2006 and 2007 - insists he can cause a shock.

Askren, 23, secured his place in China by winning the Olympic trials in Las Vegas in July and said: "He will start as the favourite and that's only right but he does have some flaws and I'm going to try and exploit those.

"I've done nothing compared to him but I know I can prove myself and if I take care of my business I'm confident of success.

"A lot of people thought I should wait for 2012 but no-one really had the guts to come up and tell me that.

"I didn't want to plan for that long ahead and wait for London - I wasn't ready to give up and I won't in Beijing."

SACHA CLAYTON