FINAL X...

[de4856]

So, what does Dake do now? Does he drop back to 79? Does he follow DT into coaching? Personally I would love to see Dake get into coaching, I think it would really energize college wrestling even more. I know it DT’s first season but wow what a success. 

[Mr. PeanutButter]

23 minutes ago, de4856 said:

So, what does Dake do now? Does he drop back to 79? Does he follow DT into coaching? Personally I would love to see Dake get into coaching, I think it would really energize college wrestling even more. I know it DT’s first season but wow what a success. 

I don't see a reason why he stops competing now. Yes, failing to make a team this year was a roadblock but it was clear that him moving up to 86 instead of 79 was an indication that he is working for that Olympic gold

[MJD]

32 minutes ago, de4856 said:

So, what does Dake do now? Does he drop back to 79? Does he follow DT into coaching? Personally I would love to see Dake get into coaching, I think it would really energize college wrestling even more. I know it DT’s first season but wow what a success. 

He's way too old; no chance at next olympics. He should go into coaching ASAP.

[D3 for LU]

I. myself, can't see him bulking up muscle wise and at his age, to make much of a difference.

But that's my opinion... getting that Oly-gold medal may be his motivation, but is that enough?

IF anything... getting ANY medal at 86Kg in the next Olympics would be an outstanding achievement alone!

(But, I don't see it happening... Chris Campbell in '92 Barcelona got bronze at 37 was indeed, an outstanding achievement.)

D3

Edited yesterday at 04:43 PM by D3 for LU

[OMW]

12 hours ago, Antitroll2828 said:

yianni clearly out wrestled him in match 1 but duke scored 15 straight on him in match 2 and match 3 they wrestled close until Duke pinned him off a single ,something u see in JV match so I think they were equal today if anything 

 

 

or in the NCAA finals (I know, it was off the other guys shot, but still) 

[d3grappler]

Is real woods the only guy on this team without a world level medal?

[PortaJohn]

5 hours ago, Doublehalf said:

I doubt he would ever do this but what are the chances for 2028 he wrestles for Greece? I feel like he's a guy that if he just make the tournament anything could happen... I mean look at Rivera, no one would have guessed he was going to bring in the hardware that he did but with a lucky draw and a good day anything can happen... Yianni smoked him to when they wrestled.

I guess my point is I just want to seem him back in a world championship or Olympics to see what he could string together, he always does better oversees anyhow.

Hes kind of like the Bengals, they shoot themselves in the foot but you know when they make the playoffs they are as dangerous as anyone haha

[Wrasslin]

40 minutes ago, d3grappler said:

Is real woods the only guy on this team without a world level medal?

No, Levi Haines also doesn't have a world medal- he placed 7th at 2021 Cadet Worlds (U17). 

Unfortunately, I do not expect this to change after this upcoming Worlds. Although you never know- a combination of a favorable draw (happens) and year after an Olympic year and one of these guys (or both) could end up medaling. 

[de4856]

2 hours ago, Mr. PeanutButter said:

don't see a reason why he stops competing now. Yes, failing to make a team this year was a roadblock but it was clear that him moving up to 86 instead of 79 was an indication that he is working for that Olympic gold

I understand that his mind and heart he wants that Gold medal in LA, but I think his age and his frame are against him. DT could do it because he’s got the frame to be an 86 guy. 

[GrandOlm]

2 hours ago, D3 for LU said:

I. myself, can't see him bulking up muscle wise and at his age, to make much of a difference.

But that's my opinion... getting that Oly-gold medal may be his motivation, but is that enough?

IF anything... getting ANY medal at 86Kg in the next Olympics would be an outstanding achievement alone!

(But, I don't see it happening... Chris Campbell in '92 Barcelona got bronze at 37 was indeed, an outstanding achievement.)

D3

Campbell was a career heavyweight though (and even he only managed a bronze). He won gold at  1981 worlds at 90 kg and then the bronze in 1992 at 90 kg as well.  

The general aging progressions for Freestyle are Lightweights start declining in their late 20s, Middleweights in their early 30s, and Heavyweights in their mid 30s. There are exceptions, but that's the general trend. 

Dake is a natural middleweight who aged out of 74 kg (just like Boroughs) and is now trying to force 86 kg to work because he can't stand the cut and has lost a step or two. 

Edited yesterday at 07:00 PM by GrandOlm

[1032004]

Based on his post, seems like Yianni is more likely to retire than Dake

[MJD]

13 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

Based on his post, seems like Yianni is more likely to retire than Dake

What did Yianni say? Also, someone posted earlier that Yianni is the better wrestler. I didn't see the matches yet; can someone fill me in here: Duke must be at least as good or better to take two matches, right?

[WrestleFan12]

18 minutes ago, MJD said:

What did Yianni say? Also, someone posted earlier that Yianni is the better wrestler. I didn't see the matches yet; can someone fill me in here: Duke must be at least as good or better to take two matches, right?

Yianni manhandled Duke in the first match. Man vs.Boy. Yianni came out strong in the second match, building a sizable lead (9-2, IIRC). Then about halfway through the match, Duke exploded. Yianni suddenly looked tired and beaten. I don’t think he ever really recovered from that the rest of the night. Third match was even-ish, slightly in favor of Yianni, when Duke pinned Yianni. Yianni wrestled cautiously in the third match, almost too much so.

Edited yesterday at 07:47 PM by WrestleFan12

[bnwtwg]

David Taylor could win worlds this year at 86. Not sure if that would be the best long-term move regarding his benefactor, but the only two people who can beat him are out of the picture. I get it that his heart is complete and he stepped off the mat a final time with a victory that so few of us get, but dang...

[D3 for LU]

1 hour ago, GrandOlm said:

Campbell was a career heavyweight though (and even he only managed a bronze). He won gold at  1981 worlds at 90 kg and then the bronze in 1992 at 90 kg as well.  

The general aging progressions for Freestyle are Lightweights start declining in their late 20s, Middleweights in their early 30s, and Heavyweights in their mid 30s. There are exceptions, but that's the general trend. 

Dake is a natural middleweight who aged out of 74 kg (just like Boroughs) and is now trying to force 86 kg to work because he can't stand the cut and has lost a step or two. 

I knew of Campbell's achievements before Barcelona, but thanks for the review.

Still, it's admirable accomplishment to nab a world/olympic medal in your later years.

tanxs!

D3

ps... Chris' World gold in '81 was @ 80Kg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_World_Wrestling_Championships

[GrandOlm]

1 hour ago, D3 for LU said:

I knew of Campbell's achievements before Barcelona, but thanks for the review.

Still, it's admirable accomplishment to nab a world/olympic medal in your later years.

tanxs!

D3

ps... Chris' World gold in '81 was @ 80Kg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1981_World_Wrestling_Championships

It looks like his page on wikipedia has a typo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Campbell_(wrestler). I have seen mistakes from them before, but they usually get things like this right. I looked at UWWs database and it lists it as 82 kg, so that's probably correct. 

I guess he is an example of a middleweight turned heavyweight who aged gracefully. Though his is still not what Kyle wants. 

[1032004]

4 hours ago, MJD said:

What did Yianni say? Also, someone posted earlier that Yianni is the better wrestler. I didn't see the matches yet; can someone fill me in here: Duke must be at least as good or better to take two matches, right?

https://x.com/YianniD_LGR/status/1934067668660769241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[PJ141]

few thoughts on Final X

Seems to be changing of the guard with majority of the team newbies.  Wonder how Team USA will do in Zagreb.

Feel for McKenna.  His best shot ever to make a World team but his style I've always felt works against him.  Surprised coaches by now haven't tried to change his style and make him more offensive and dynamic.

Feel for Dake though never a huge fan.  Regardless, see no chance for him making team for LA Olympics.  Paris was his chance.  Not sure what he was thinking going 86 this early in the cycle.  Would've had better chance this year to make World team and possibly medal at 79.

The unimportant but observed....

Did S Lee go to 'hair for men' or color the top?  Hair looked very strange...

JB have his pajama top on ?

[GimJustafan]

11 hours ago, PJ141 said:

few thoughts on Final X

Seems to be changing of the guard with majority of the team newbies.  Wonder how Team USA will do in Zagreb.

 

was thinking same thing 

 

1 more final x matchup to go

can Forrest  pull off a similar size feat as Duke when he faces Vito in ND  ?

[D3 for LU]

11 hours ago, PJ141 said:

few thoughts on Final X...

The unimportant but observed....

Did S Lee go to 'hair for men' or color the top?  Hair looked very strange...

JB have his pajama top on ?

Pin striped, double-breasted, AND short sleeved as well.

D3

Edited 9 hours ago by D3 for LU

[D3 for LU]

3 minutes ago, GimJustafan said:

was thinking same thing 

 

1 more final x matchup to go

can Forrest  pull off a similar size feat as Duke when he faces Vito in ND  ?

Marcus Blaze almost did last year...

(Vito wiped his brow afterwards.)

D3

[TylerDurden]

22 hours ago, de4856 said:

So, what does Dake do now? Does he drop back to 79? Does he follow DT into coaching? Personally I would love to see Dake get into coaching, I think it would really energize college wrestling even more. I know it DT’s first season but wow what a success. 

Greco

[Ragu]

My thoughts

Spencer did what we thought he would. Didn’t really like his comments on his performance during the Post Final X Show with JB and Pyles but he’s the man and I have full confidence he medals. Vito and Jax should’ve had to go here but I understand rules are in place and I would take advantage too. Vito did it right at least giving a ton of notice, other clubs would’ve done it different I’m sure . Real looks good, his lack of experience has me worried but more excited than anything. Hope he can string a few teams together as some consistency at this weight domestically would be nice. Yianni, Yianni, Yianni. Truth be told, probably my favorite wrestler ever. Watched his whole HS career in Albany and continued into college. I know he was thinking retirement but consider this an open letter to Yianni. Please don’t stop wrestling, you know, your coaches know, your family know, and we know you have the goods. You can win a world/olympic gold. I hope he continues down this path and keeps digging in. That being said PJ looked unreal. Super exciting to have a young buck like him on the team. Hope he wins 3 world golds like Amit did before. Got in more than a few in real life and online arguments about Carr vs MM. If you thought Carr had no shot going in you’re deluded and I would’ve had no issue telling you so. Best of luck to Carr at worlds and I can’t wait to see this rivalry continue for a few years. Haines wins the most boring weight. Sorry, should’ve been Dake or Marstellar but Levi is a brick house and maybe he sneaks one for us. Tough break for Cornell/NY boys this go around. I had Dake penciled in as I thought his experience would get it done for him but Zahid was too big. Very excited for Zahid being able to get his shot finally and I think he had the goods to win it all but I don’t think we see the last of Dake here. My guess is is that he went up knowing full well he might lose, but he’s in it for the cycle. I see Dake returning a lot bigger this next year. Hoagie man is a dawg and will be a medalist this year. I feel it. Barr looked the part across from him but not enough offense. . Snyder comes and does this dang thing. Hope all this noise doesn’t have him lose focus on a world title but I definitely think it will and maybe we see no medal here. Just a guess but hope I’m wrong. Thank you Hayden Zillmer for being a force on the US scene for so many years. Capt America looked great match 1, Hillger looked great match 2 and still lost. Idk if anyone internationally can game plan for Wyatt like Trent did but there’s the blueprint, good luck lol. Side-note, JB said in the post show that he is definitely wrestling again, which has me juiced. 

[MPhillips]

23 minutes ago, Ragu said:

Hope all this noise doesn’t have him lose focus on a world title but I definitely think it will and maybe we see no medal here. Just a guess but hope I’m wrong.

If he doesn't medal it won't be because of the, "noise."

[Ragu]

20 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

If he doesn't medal it won't be because of the, "noise."

He has definitely lost a step in the past few years but I think you could attribute some of this “”noise”” to him not medaling if that ends up reality