USA Wrestling, Cuban Team Set For Exhibition In Times Square

USA Wrestling tonight will host an exhibition match with the Cuban national team in Times Square to benefit Beat the Streets, a charity devoted to building wrestling in the inner city. It is the first time competing in N.Y. since '03 for the Cuban team, which is finding travel here far easier since President Obama moved to restore diplomatic relations last year. In a sign of the times, Cuban team official Rafael Soto at yesterday’s weigh-in said travel visas were approved "the very next day" after they agreed to wrestle.

The dual meet, which will include women’s teams and Greco-Roman matches, is followed by a gala fundraising event at a nearby theater. Among the participating athletes are Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs and medalists Clarissa Chun and Randi Miller.