US Olympic Wrestling Team: Breaking Down Team USA's Toughest Competition

Heading into the London Olympics the US is not the favorites for gold on the mat. The US has only won two golds in wrestling in the last two Olympic games, so improving on the shortcomings in Athens and Beijing is of chief importance to the team.

On the women's side, Japan is still the country to beat, boasting some of the best wrestlers on the planet in all weight classes. For the men, Cuba and Eastern European countries nudge out the US for the top spot.

This year could be different however, as the US features some young talent that could make some noise in the Olympics.

Coming off of his gold medal performance at the 2011 Pan American Games, Jordan Burroughs is looking to come away with gold in the 74-kg class. Jake Herbert is also a force in the 84-kg division, as is Dremiel Byers in the 120-kg Greco-Roman class.

For the women, Clarissa Chun in the 48-kg class will be heading the squad, but the team has other competitors in Kelsey Campbell in the 55-kg class, Elena Pirozhkova in the 63-kg class and Ali Bernard in the 72-kg class.

This could be the best US wrestling team in recent memory, but overall it is still behind its global competitors.

Japan's Saori Yoshida is the most formidable opponent on the women's side in the Freestyle 55-kg class, while Cuba's Mijain Lopez, Uzbekistan's Artur Taymazov and Kazakhstan's Taimuraz Tigiyev could also make a run for gold in their respective weight classes on the male side.

Here is a breakdown of team USA's toughest competition.

Women's Side

It all starts with Saori Yoshida.

Coming off gold in the 55-kg division in both Athens and Beijing, Yoshida is undefeated in Olympic play and the overwhelming favorite to repeat in London.

The last time Yoshida lost was in a Word Cup team event in 2008 when she fell to American Marcie Van Dusen.

Heading to London, Yoshida is oozing with confidence.

In a training session on Tuesday, Yoshida told reporters (via NBC Olympics):

"

I will do everything to make sure I win a third gold medal in London. That target drives me. I'm bulking up and have more power now. I'll be fighting fit to take the gold back home.

"

Kelsey Campbell has some impressive wins, but upsetting Yoshida in the games would top all of those.

Look for Yoshida to continue her domination on the mat.

Outisde of Yoshida, Japan poses problems across weight classes. Kaori Icho will be difficult to beat in the 63-kg class and Hitomi Obara could surprise in the 48-kg class.

If the US women want to take home gold, they will have to go through Japan to get it.

Men's Side

After finishing first overall in Beijing with six gold medals, Russia will look to dominate the mat again in London.

Viktor Lebedev will be among the favorites to medal as will Besik Kudukhov in the 60-kg class.

After taking home the bronze in Beijing, Kudukhov will look to redeem himself by taking back gold in 2012.

Iran has some young talent in Saeid Abdevali. It would not be an absolute shocker to see Abdevali take the next step in London and take home the gold in the men's Greco-Roman 66-kg class.

Uzbekistan's Artur Taymazov is always lethal as well. After coming off back-to-back gold medals in Athens and Beijing, Taymazov is going for the hat trick in London.

The runner-up in Beijing, Kazakhstan's Taimuraz Tigiyev could cause also problems, as could Turkey's Ramazan Sahin.

Ultimately however, Cuba's Mijain Lopez is the frontrunner to dominate the mat in the men's Greco-Roman 120-kg division.

An absolute beast on the mat, Lopez is coming off his gold medal performance in the 2008 games.

The Pinar del Rio native will face some stiff competition in London, but he should be able to overcome it and bring home gold again.

The last time Lopez lost was in the controversial final of the 2011 Worlds tournament when he was upset by Turkey's Riza Kayaalp.

For the US, Dremiel Byers is a worthy opponent, but it will take a perfect match to knock off Lopez.