Best Wrestler Without an Olympic Gold

[lu_alum]

THat is one of my top 3. Lee Kemp then Wade Schalles and Kolat.

I’d add Gene Mills in 1980. Tech falls were very likely introduced due to Mills.


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[lu_alum]

3 hours ago, lu_alum said:

I’d add Gene Mills in 1980. Tech falls were very likely introduced due to Mills.


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https://www.flowrestling.org/collections/6829253-wall-talks?playing=6520717

Edited December 9 by lu_alum

[152lbs]

Cary Kolat

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

12 minutes ago, 152lbs said:

Cary Kolat

oh boy... 

[152lbs]

Best pure wrestler to not win.  File him under bad luck, corruption, or whatever.  I liked him better than Terry. 

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

On 12/13/2024 at 2:13 PM, 152lbs said:

Best pure wrestler to not win.  File him under bad luck, corruption, or whatever.  I liked him better than Terry. 

Most people do.  

[mspart]

True that.   Both were pretty hard nose competitors. 

mspart

[4xJVchamp]

Best US wrestler - Lee Kemp no doubt

rest of the world - Yoel Romero has to be considered

[BruceyB]

On 12/13/2024 at 10:52 AM, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

oh boy... 

Your points on why you don't believe Kolat to be the answer are really strong, but I also admit while reading them, they seem to dismiss how truly good Kolat was. Forgive me for the assumption, but I imagine you'd agree that he probably should have had at least one world or olympic title in his prime. He was certainly on the level and likely could have won any of the years you previously mentioned had things gone slightly differently. He was without a doubt good enough to win an Olympic gold medal.

Additionally, if you watch the FloFilm, or any interview and here the man talk about wrestling, I can't imagine having anything but an immense respect and wishing that things had gone better for him. Like you said, I think the injustices have lead to his legend growing and a certain need to justify how good he was despite the lack of a gold. Not to mention that he wrestled at 63kg.. Arguably the toughest weight in wrestling. Look at our overall medal count in 63kg/65kg since Kolat. Has anyone else been close to the level of Cary in 63kg/65kg over a four year span since? I think the fact that he was competing in a weight that is so hard to win is being dismissed. FRL talked about the incredible parity at 65kg not too long ago and how essentially no one repeats at the weight because it is just so dang tough to make a run to gold at the weight. It's getting into semantics, but there is a difference between the most decorated wrestler to never win an Olympic gold and the best wrestler to never win. 

Here is my question for the rest of you; Who was a better international wrestler? Henry Cejudo or Cary Kolat?

[Jason Bryant]

Gray Simons.