DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The United States has qualified more wrestlers to compete in the upcoming London Olympics than any other nation.
The U.S. has earned spots in 17 of the 18 weight classes to be contested in London, one more than powerhouse Russia and two more than Kazakhstan.
Countries can have only one wrestler compete in each weight class. They must earn those spots through qualifying tournaments, which wrapped up with the World Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament in Helsinki on Sunday.
The only Olympic weight class the U.S. failed to qualify for was 96 kilograms in Greco-Roman. Justin Ruiz lost his opening match in Helsinki on Sunday to 2009 world champion Balasz Kiss of Hungary 1-3, 0-1.
The Olympic wrestling competition begins Aug. 5.
