The obvious question is, "Why?" Why does wrestling so often see these international exchanges? It would seem counterintuitive. Iowa and Cornell don't pair up for a training camp in February.
The answer tells us a lot about the sport in the states and other well-supported nations. When American women get to the highest levels of international wrestling there is a deficiency of training partners due to a smaller pool of eligible partners. While there are high-level partners, the numbers tend to be low, so to compensate the team travels overseas more consistently. Add in the advantage of exposure to new techniques and the simple task of wrestling while traveling and the American women are benefiting from these exchanges.
For me, the interchange of wrestlers is a nice gesture to see nations cooperating and looking to better their individual athletes rather than closely guard their team's training secrets. The best nations are those that expose themselves to the most wrestling possible while still retaining discipline and their individual approach to success. Cooperation only leads to more opportunity and improved results.
To your questions …
Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker shake handsQ: Why the hell is Yoel Romero a betting underdog vs. Robert Whittaker this weekend? Admittedly, I haven't seen much of Whittaker, but Romero has never lost in the UFC, and his only career loss came in 2011 in Strikeforce.
-- Mike C.
Foley: I'm guessing there is concern that Yoel is 40 years old and that there is only so much magic left in his career. Whittaker doesn't have a big name, but can stand and trade with a flurry of kicks. Legs tend to give wrestlers problems and it seems the betting public thinks that Whittaker is better equipped to land a head kick than Yoel is to move it to the ground and finish.
I'm on your side, though. It's very rare that a wrestler is kept at a distance forever. Eventually the cage moves in on the opponent there is an opportunity to transition to the ground. I see very little reason to believe that once there Whittaker will have an opportunity to submit, or recover to his feet.
But again, take caution while betting, as Whittaker is one of the UFC's new favorite toys.
Ryan Mango after winning a Junior National Greco-Roman title in 2009 (Photo/David Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)Q: To your knowledge, which individuals have won the most titles in Fargo? I know that Ryan Mango from Missouri won five during his career.
-- Ethan S.
Foley: Your guys are Sean Hage and David Kjeldgaard with eight titles (regardless of location). Our friends over at the Open Mat put together a nice list that you can access for more information.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
You win some, you lose some
Yoel
More Yoel
Q: There was a tweet that Iowa is the only school to inquire about Pat Downey since the full release from Kevin Dresser. Are you surprised by that?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Opposition research? Doubt it was a serious inquiry beyond getting to know exactly what type of grades he had. Better to know than not to know. Most people won't buy a redemption story if it's sans humility. Least of all Tom Brands.
Q: What do you know about PROWL? Seems like a professional wrestling league. I have seen some tweets from Xander Schultz, Dave Schultz's son.
-- Mike C.
Foley: Professional wrestling is back. I think that you'll be surprised with the product, but also the concept. Could be a major development for the sport and is being led by Xander, who is an organized, well-intentioned professional.
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