InterMat Staff

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag?

InterMat has released updated grade (recruiting) rankings. The Top 100 seniors, Top 50 juniors, Top 50 sophomores, Top 25 freshmen, and Top 15 junior high wrestlers are ranked. InterMat Platinum is required to view all the rankings. Below is a sneak peek at the top wrestlers in each grade. Seniors (Top 10): 1. Bo Jordan (Graham, Ohio) 2. Adam Coon (Fowlerville, Mich.) 3. Isaiah Martinez (Lemoore, Calif.) 4. Ben Whitford (St. Johns, Mich.) 5. Brooks Black (Blair Academy, N.J.) 6. J'den Cox (Hickman, Mo.) 7. Zain Retherford (Benton, Pa.) 8. Jake Short (Simley, Minn.) 9. Cody Wiercioch Canon-McMillan, Pa.) 10. Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, N.J.) Juniors (Top Five): 1. Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.) 2. Kyle Snyder (Good Counsel, Md.) 3. Bryce Brill (Mount Carmel, Ill.) 4. Nick Nevills (Clovis, Calif.) 5. Solomon Chisko (Canon McMillan, Pa.) Sophomores (Top Five): 1. Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, Calif.) 2. Fox Baldwin (Osceola, Fla.) 3. Michael Johnson Jr. (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.) 4. Myles Martin (McDonogh, Md.) 5. Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional, Pa.) Freshmen (Top Five): 1. Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.) 2. Aaron Pico (St. John Bosco, Calif.) 3. Mason Manville (Blair Academy, N.J.) 4. Luke Pletcher (Greater Latrobe, Pa.) 5. Israel Saavedra (Modesto, Calif.) Junior High (Top Five): 1. Brady Berge (Minnesota) 2. Cade Olivas (California) 3. Spencer Lee (Pennsylvania) 4. Nick Lee (Indiana) 5. Yianni Diakomihalis (New York)

WATERLOO, Iowa -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum will induct Matt Ghaffari and Dennis Koslowski into the Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions. An induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at the Kennedy Center on the campus of Augsburg College in Minneapolis, Minn. Alan and Gloria Rice, namesakes of the hall of champions, have been instrumental to the success of Greco-Roman wrestling in the United States. Alan Rice was a Big Ten champion and an All-American for the University of Minnesota. In 1956 he won double national titles in Greco-Roman and freestyle. He also placed fifth at the 1956 Olympics and was coach of the 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic team. He and his wife, Gloria, founded the Minnesota Wrestling Club. The club enjoys the unique distinction of placing a wrestler on every World and Olympic team since 1964, a record unequaled in American wrestling history. The Alan & Gloria Rice Greco-Roman Hall of Champions is located inside the Dan Gable Museum in Waterloo. “I’m glad to have another opportunity to recognize the great champions of Greco-Roman wrestling,” said Rice. “I am looking forward to continued success at the World Championships and the Olympic Games.” Ghaffari is one of the most accomplished Greco-Roman wrestlers in U.S. history. He won four medals at the World Championships and the Olympic Games in the super heavyweight division. At the World Championships Ghaffari placed second in 1991, third in 1995, and second in 1998. He also won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. Koslowski won three medals of his own: two at the Olympics and one at the World championships. He placed second at the 1987 World Championships, third at the 1988 Olympics and second at the 1992 Olympics. Ghaffari and Koslowski join Rulon Gardner, Steve Fraser, Jeff Blatnick, Mike Houck, Dennis Hall and Joe Warren in this elite Hall. Wayne Baughman will be given the Alan Rice Leadership Award for his contributions to advancing the sport of wrestling. Baughman won 16 national titles during his career in four different styles of wrestling (collegiate, freestyle, Greco-Roman, and sambo). He was also a member of the 1964, 1968, and 1972 Greco-Roman Olympic teams for the United States. Baughman coached the 1976 freestyle Olympic team to six medals. The Short family from Minnesota will receive the Family Legacy Award. The award is given to a family that has excelled in wrestling. Jim and Pat Short had four sons—John, Chris, Will, and Wade—who combined for seven individual state championships at Simley High School. All four had wrestling careers at the University of Minnesota, with Chris and Will earning All-American honors. Jim was the head wrestling coach at Simley from 1970 through 1998 where his team won the Minnesota state wrestling tournament in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1992. Will took over for his father in 1998 and coached until 2008. Jim coached the team again in 2009 and was co-head coach with Will in 2010 and 2011. Will took over sole coaching duties for the 2012 season. Simley has won the past five Minnesota state wrestling championships. Jim and Will combined to coach Simley to nine state team titles (five for Jim, two for Will, and two for Jim and Will as co-head coaches). Jim’s wife, Pat, mother to the four champions, is also heavily involved in wrestling. As a volunteer she has worked many major tournaments including the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games as a pairer and director. Contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org to order tickets banquet tickets. You can also order tickets online at http://dgm-nwhof.ticketleap.com/grhoc/

DES MOINES -- Fight Now USA Presents Takedown Wrestling from the Brute studios in Des Moines, Iowa at 1460 KXNO. Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin Agrifoods! Every Saturday it's Takedown Wrestling Radio. Join Scott Casber, Wayne Edmiston and Brad Johnson with the Takedown Wrestling Headline News this Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. CT/10 a.m. to noon ET> The 2012 Olympics are in the books. Congratulations to our champions and medalists in the competition and victories. Listen in as our guests offer their opinions. LIVE 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. its Takedown Wrestling Radio. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or iPhone with the iHeartRadio App. This week's guests: 9:03 Mack Reiter, former Gopher three-time All-American 9:20 Lee Roy Smith, National Wrestling Hall of Fame 9:40 Troy Letters, Clarion head wrestling coach 10:01 Reece Humphrey, U.S. freestyle wrestler 10:20 Nate "Rock" Quarry, UFC star 10:40 David Mirikitani, Finney's MMA wrestling coach 10:50 Amy Ruble, Wildrose Resort

After a brief hiatus, the MMA Outsider is back to look at the fallout from the most recent UFC events, including UFC 150, where lightweight champion Ben Henderson defended his belt with a questionable decision win over Frankie Edgar. With Nate Diaz waiting in the wings, Henderson's title reign might not last much longer. Also on the show, former UFC bantamweight Cole Escovedo helps break down the bantamweight division. How will new interim titleholder Renan Barao do against longtime champion Dominick Cruz? And how soon could young gun Michael McDonald be in the mix? Click that link below and find out. Do you want to listen to a past episode? View archives.

Two weeks ago, in the days leading up to the Olympic Games in London, the NWCA took an unofficial vote among coaches on an issue that could very well change college wrestling forever. Since that vote there has been lots of information, misinformation, and opinions. Here's what we know ... The NCAA Wrestling Committee recently approved a recommendation for the NCAA to consider changing the current championship format. Currently the team champion is decided based on the accumulation of points from individuals competing at the NCAA tournament in March. The new plan would crown a team champion after a series of dual meets in mid-February. The individual tournament would remain unchanged and be used to crown individual champions and All-Americans. Team scores would also accumulate, though they wouldn't mean anything within the NCAA. The Dual Meet Championships would be held the third week of February with 16 teams competing for the NCAA title. Regular season dual meet conference champions would be automatic qualifiers with the rest chosen as at-large selections. The first round of the championships will happen in the home gymnasiums of the top eight seeds with the final eight competing in one event. That event will be televised by ESPN. According to several coaches and administrators I spoke with, the NCAA Wrestling Committee has been working on the details of the format for more than a year. In a show of good faith they gave the proposal to the NWCA Coaching Committee at the NWCA Coaches Convention in early August and asked them to vote the proposal up or down. The proposal received unanimous approval. The NWCA then opened the floor of the NWCA Coaches Convention for discussion of the topic, and at the end they asked for a show of hands among coaches for approval or disapproval. Again, according to coaches I talked to, nobody made a fuss and all seemed to have raised their hands. Though the process seemed like an informal vote, the NCAA was likely just playing nice with the NWCA and making sure there weren't any huge issues they were failing to see. That hurdle passed the NCAA Wrestling Committee then submitted the proposal to the NCAA Championships Committee who votes on whether the proposal should be granted or not. I spoke with coaches, and Mike Moyer, the president of the NWCA, who all said that the whims of the NCAA Championships Committee are unknowable and though they support the measure there is absolutely no way to determine whether or not the proposal would actually pass the committee. Cael Sanderson with NCAA champion Ed Ruth at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Should the NCAA Championship Cabinet approve the proposal, the first season with the new format would then begin 2013-2014. The NWCA would be ceding the National Duals in order to facilitate the NCAA Championships and would not profit in any way from the transfer of the event. The potential change to the schedule caused a social media throw down between the NWCA's Pat Tocci and Penn State head wrestling coach Cael Sanderson and the team's SID Pat Donghia. The main riff came from the lack of communication with all coaches before the proposal was forwarded, though it quickly devolved into a disagreement on which format best benefits the sport of collegiate wrestling. In summation, Penn State believed that the change might unnecessarily hurt smaller programs, while Tocci countered with several points, including that it might help smaller programs. Wrestling is the only NCAA sport that uses the individual tournament to determine a season's team champion. Comparable individual sports golf and tennis both have dual formats, crowing their team champions and individual champions in separate formats. The NCAA typically doesn't like outliers and would much rather see a streamlined system of championships. For years the committee gave wrestling grief about the historical data used within the qualification system. The new system isn't beyond reproach, but many agree that fewer deserving wrestlers are left at home. According to Moyer the move would not only cede control of the National Duals to the NCAA, but ESPN has already agreed to air all of wrestling's NCAA Championships, meaning another few weeks of exposure for the team title in addition to the runaway hit we already have in March. Coaches and Moyer argue that the increased exposure for teams and the revenue generated for the NCAA could mean larger protections for at-risk program at both the national and local level. Dual meets among teams in the top sixteen are much easier to market to students and local media when the outcome is an advancement to the next round of the NCAA tournament -- a phrase and progression all sports fans are accustomed with because of March Madness. There has been speculation on both sides on what this will mean for the protection of the sport from the cuts taking place at Division I programs. Those opposed think that smaller schools who can place in the top fifteen nationally with only a few good performers, will be hurt because they can't boost the team's finishes. There are also questions about how the format will impact the Sears Cup points and if wrestlers would be punished when it came time for qualification. To some athletic directors those points matter. Finally, there is little change among the top sixteen annually, and one coach I spoke with said it's worrisome to think what teams like Princeton or VMI might if their administrators believe this sinks their place at a good showing. Advocates point to the potential monetary gain that will accompany the additional event. Wrestling fans would spend more time watching and talking about wrestling, analyzing lineup changes and strategy, which would likely bolster interest in the sport. Also, because teams are easier to track than individuals secondary and tertiary media possibilities exist for the sport, providing a nice cultural backdrop to the event. Similarly advocates argue that Princeton cold sneak into the top sixteen and if so could earn valuable media attention. Everything will be known on Sept. 11 when the cabinet gives the up or down vote. At that point the real discussion begin about strategies teams might take in answering to the dual team format. However, one thing remains unchanged and as true now as it was in Ancient Greece. The best men win wrestling matches. Dual meet or individual that much we know won't change. For Reference: NCAA Wrestling Committee: Jason Borelli (Head Wrestling Coach, Stanford University), Tom Minkel (Head Wrestling Coach, Michigan State Univ.), Gary Taylor (Head Wrestling Coach, Rider University) Dave Martin (Senior Athletic Director, Okla. State), Deborah Polca (Associate Athletic Director, Old Dominion), Andy Noel (Athletic Director, Cornell), Pat McCormick (National Coordinator of Officials - Hampton), Jim Thornton (Athletic Trainer Liaison, Clarion) and Ron Beaschler (NCAA Secretary for Rules). NWCA Committee: John Smith (Head Wrestling Coach, Oklahoma State), Rob Koll (Head Wrestling Coach, Cornell), (Mark Cody Head Wrestling Coach, Oklahoma), Tom Ryan (Head Wrestling Coach, The Ohio State University), Jim Zalesky, (Head Wrestling Coach, Oregon State) and Steve Garland (Head Wrestling Coach, University of Virginia)

InterMat's T.R. Foley and Bloody Elbow's Mike Riordan get together to discuss America's performance at the Olympic Games, the future of USA Wrestling, and other off-the-mat happenings from the London Games. Do you want to listen to a past episode? View archives.

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section Jake Varner with his Olympic gold medal and the American flag (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) LONDON -- Two days after Jordan Burroughs delivered a strong opening statement for the U.S. men's freestyle team at the 2012 Olympic Games, winning an Olympic gold medal, Jake Varner delivered a strong closing statement. On Sunday, Varner, a native of Bakersfield, Calif., captured the Olympic gold medal at 96 kilos with a two-period victory over Ukraine's Valeri Andriitsev 1-0, 1-0 at ExCeL North Arena 2 in the final match on the final day of the London Games. Jake Varner shows the Olympic gold he won on Sunday (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Varner was able to share his golden moment with coach and mentor Cael Sanderson, who was in his corner in London. Sanderson lifted and carried Varner moments after his pupil's hand was raised. "It's awesome," said Varner, who spent four years with Sanderson at Iowa State and the last two with him in State College, Pa. "He's an Olympic champion. I'm an Olympic champion now. I'm still not sure if I'm in his league. It's just awesome to be coached by a guy like that. I just thank him for everything. I owe him a lot. It means a lot to have him with me." Varner won the first period on the strength of a takedown off an ankle pick, the same move Sanderson made famous. "That's the Varner pick right there," said Sanderson. "That his baby. He's taken it all the way. He's Olympic champion." Varner becomes Iowa State's sixth Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, joining Sanderson, his former coach Kevin Jackson, Dan Gable, Ben Peterson, and Glen Brand. "It's just awesome to be in that group of guys," said Varner, who won two NCAA titles and reached the NCAA finals four times. "It's something special. It's just great to be a part of that tradition now." Jake Varner lifts George Gogshelidze in the semifinals (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Varner's road to the gold-medal match on Sunday included victories over Kurban Kurbanov of Uzbekistan, Khetag Pliev of Canada, and George Gogshelidze of Georgia. Both Kurbanov and Gogshelidze extended Varner to three periods and took him to the ball draw. "I don't like going to the ball draw, but sometimes it happens," said Varner. "I think I had two of them. I won them both. Once I saw that I won that, won the period, I knew that I had to go out there and score some points because I didn't want to go there again." Many expected Iran's Reza Yazdani, a 2011 World champion, to reach the gold-medal match on the opposite side of the bracket from Varner. But the Iranian suffered a knee injury in the first period of his semifinal match against Andriitsev, and was unable to continue. Varner kept his focus on the task at hand, not on which wrestler he may or may not face. "You can't really think ahead," said Varner. "The match wasn't wrestled yet, and everybody though it was going to be one guy and it was another. You don't really think about that. You just wait until you see who you're going to wrestle. You just stay focused. You just focus on what you're going to do out there." It's the first time since 1996 that the U.S. has won multiple gold medals in freestyle wrestling at the Olympic Games. The U.S. and Azerbaijan tied for the most gold medals in the men's freestyle competition with two, one more than world power Russia. "It's been just a tremendous tournament for Jake," said U.S. coach Zeke Jones. "For us overall I think it was a very good tournament. Darn near a great tournament. Very good tournament. Nothing like ending with a champion." Jared Frayer dropped his opening match in London (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Jared Frayer was the only other American wrestler to compete on Sunday. Frayer dropped his opening match to Ali Shabanau of Belarus in two periods 0-3, 0-1. The second period went to the ball draw after neither wrestler scored in regulation. Frayer started in the superior position, with the Belarus wrestler's leg, but was unable to score, giving Shabanau the victory. "I just lost my head," Frayer said of losing in the ball draw in the second period. "That's not where I finish my clinch. It's unacceptable. I should have finished that position." The 33-year-old Frayer made it clear before the Olympic Games that this would be his last competition. His wife Nicole gave birth to their second child, Beckett, shortly before the Olympic Games. Frayer also serves as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma. "It was an awesome ride," Frayer said when reflecting on his competitive wrestling career. "I've done a lot of awesome things. This sport has taken me to like 30 countries and the Olympics. I'm going continue to give back and give back and give back because I think it's the greatest sport in the world." Frayer feels the American wrestling program is in a better place than it was four years ago after the Beijing Olympics, and that it's in good hands with U.S. freestyle coach Zeke Jones. "What Zeke's got going is a good thing," said Frayer. "He's got everybody buying in. When you have the Iowa guys and the Oklahoma State guys and all the way down the line here supporting and being a part of Team USA, that says a lot." Day 8 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Men's Freestyle) 66 kilos: Gold: Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu (Japan) Silver: Sushil Kumar (India) Bronze: Akhzurek Tantarov (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Livan Lopez (Cuba) 5th: Ramazan Sahin (Turkey) 5th: Jabrayil Hasanov (Azerbaijan), 7th: Haislan Garcia (Canada) 8th: David Safaryan (Armenia) 9th: Ikhtiyor Nazruzov (Uzbekistan) 10th: Ali Shabanau (Belarus) 96 kilos: Gold: Jake Varner (USA) Silver: Valerii Andriitsev (Ukraine) Bronze: George Gogeshelidze (Georgia) Bronze: Khetag Gazyumov (Azerbaijan) 5th: Kurban Kurbanov (Kazakhstan) 5th: Reza Yazdani (Iran) 7th: Magomed Musaev (Kyrgyzstan) 8th: Rustam Isokawa (Japan) 9th: Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia) 10th: Khetag Pliev (Canada)

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section Coleman Scott with the other 60-kilo medalists (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) LONDON -- U.S. freestyle coach Zeke Jones called the latter part of Saturday's first session a "train wreck" for the U.S. men's freestyle team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. After winning its first five matches and pushing two wrestlers into the semifinals, the U.S. suffered three straight losses and all hope for a gold medal on Saturday was dashed in a span of 30 minutes. Still, the U.S. entered Saturday night's session with a chance to earn three bronze medals, but went 1-2, with only Coleman Scott winning and claiming a bronze medal at 60 kilos. Tervel Dlagnev lost in the bronze-medal match at 120 kilos, while Jake Herbert fell in the repechage at 84 kilos. The U.S. finished the day 6-5. "We couldn't close today like we wanted to," said Jones. "I think we were close, but close doesn't count. I think we just need to close a little bit more." Coleman Scott moments after winning the Olympic bronze medal (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Scott, who was wrestling in his first world-level event, dug deep in the bronze-medal match, scoring with a low double leg in the final 15 seconds to defeat Japan's Kenichi Yumoto 0-1, 3-0, 3-1. "It wasn't what I came here for, but it's better than nothing, I guess," said Scott. "That's what was going through my head at the end there. I'm not walking away with nothing to show for it. It was good to end on a win." The victory came three hours after Scott suffered a heartbreaking semifinal loss to Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan. Asgarov took the first period 1-0. Scott was on the verge of winning the second period, getting in deep on a shot before the Azerbaijan wrestler countered and scored exposure points. The U.S. challenged the call, but it stood and Scott lost 4-0. The 19-year-old Asgarov went on to earn the Olympic gold medal, defeating four-time World champion Besik Kudukhov of Russia in the finals. "I feel like I left something on the mat," said Scott of his semifinal loss. "The kid is a great kid from Azerbaijan, but I don't think he's better than I really am. I left it out there. I waited too long. It is what it is. I had to come back and get bronze. I'm glad I can wear that podium uniform now." Coleman Scott gets in on a shot against Seung-Chul Lee of Korea (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Scott, a native of Waynesburg, Pa., had close to 100 supporters in London cheering him on, including several of his former coaches. He said the bronze medal was for them. "They put so much time and so many hours and followed me around and have taken me here," said Scott. "I think this is a little bit that I can give back to them. That's the way I was looking at it. They've earned the right to it." Scott becomes the 30th Olympic medalist for Oklahoma State and 16th for the Cowboy wrestling program. Two former Cowboys great, John Smith and Kenny Monday, serve as Scott's coaches and mentors. "I couldn't ask for better people to be around day in and day out," said Scott of Smith and Monday. "Arguably two of the best Americans to ever to come through. I'm with them every day. I'm picking their brains every day. I'm hanging out with them every day, every night. I think that was a lot of it. I just aspired to be like them, and to do what they have done. I haven't achieved it yet. They're Olympic champs. I've got to wait another four years, I guess." Scott was the final wrestler to make the U.S. Olympic Team when he defeated past U.S. World Team members Reece Humphrey and Shawn Bunch in a special wrestle-off held in Times Square on June 7. The other six members of the U.S. men's freestyle team earned their spots 45 days earlier at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City. "It's an uphill battle just to make the team," said John Smith. "Through that process it made him stronger, tougher ... It gave him an opportunity to win a gold medal. He just happened to settle for a bronze, but a bronze that was earned. I'm excited for him." Tervel Dlagnev defeated Egypt's Eldesoky Shaban 6-2, 1-0 in his first match (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Dlagnev, like Scott, reached the semifinals after two victories on Saturday afternoon. His second victory came over 2011 World champion Alexei Shemarov of Belarus 2-0, 3-1, avenging a loss from last year's World Championships. In the semifinals Dlagnev battled Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan, now a three-time Olympic gold medalist, and was pinned in a cradle late in the first period. Dlagnev then lost in the bronze-medal match to Iran's Komeil Ghasemi, 0-4, 1-0, 0-1. "I didn't perform," said Dlagnev, a 2009 bronze medalist. "That's it." Herbert, a 2009 World silver medalist, reached the quarterfinals by defeating Cuba's Humberto Arencibia before falling to eventual gold medalist Sharif Sharifov of Azerbaijan 1-4, 0-6, in a match in which Herbert came out on the wrong end of questionable call in the second period on a scramble situation. The U.S. coaches felt that Herbert should have been up 3-2 after the scramble, but instead Sharifov was given a 5-0 lead, and then an additional point for the unsuccessful challenge, which made it 6-0 and ended the match. Jake Herbert with U.S. coaches Zeke Jones and Sean Bormet (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Herbert then dropped the bronze-medal match to Turkey's Ibrahim Bolukasi 1-0, 1-4, 5-4, and once again came up on the short end of a questionable call. Herbert held Bolukasi on his back in the third period and appeared to be on his way to winning the match before the referee awarded Bolukasi three points for Herbert exposing his back. "You turn a guy. You hold him on his back and he gets three points for it," said Herbert. "That's tough for anybody to come back and win. That's half a tech fall. They just gave it to him." Herbert said it's unfortunate that matches are often times decided by favorable or unfavorable calls. "That's how the sport is," said Herbert. "It's unfortunate that it comes down to that right now. I wish they could find a more fair way for it. Some people are going to be in the ref's favor, and some people aren't. I'm living in the United States of America and it's the greatest country in the world, and these guys are all mad about that." Jake Herbert supporters (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Herbert, like Scott, had a large group of supporters in London, many of them waving yellow "terrible towels." "They're amazing," said Herbert of his supporters. "I'm just sorry I let them all down. I know they'll say I didn't, but I wanted to come out of here with hardware, and I'm not leaving with it. So it sucks." Jared Frayer (66 kilos) and Jake Varner (96 kilos) will compete for the U.S. on Sunday, the final day of the 2012 Olympic Games. Frayer, the oldest member of the U.S. men's freestyle team, faces Ali Shabanau of Belarus in his first match. A win would put him against the winner of a match between 2010 World bronze medalist Jabrail Hasanov of Azerbaijan and Leonid Bazan of Bulgaria. Varner, a 2011 World bronze medalist, drew Kurban Kurbanov of Uzbekistan in his first match. Assuming Varner gets past the Uzbekistan wrestler he will meet the winner of a match between Javier Cortina of Cuba and Khetag Pliev of Canada. Pliev attended high school in the U.S. at Lakota East in Ohio, where he won two state titles and an NHSA Nationals title. He was sixth at the 2010 World Championships. Wrestling gets underway on Sunday at 8:30 a.m. London time, 3:30 a.m. ET. Taymazov wins rare third Olympic gold medal Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan, the wrestler who defeated Tervel Dlagnev in the semifinals, cemented his name among the all-time freestyle greats by becoming a three-time Olympic gold medalist. His victory in the gold-medal match at 120 kilos came over Davit Modzmanashvili of Georgia. Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan on the award stand after winning a rare third Olympic gold medalOnly two other freestyle wrestlers in history have won three Olympic gold medals: Aleksandr Medved and Buvaisar Saitiev. Taymazov talked about staying motivated to win a third Olympic gold medal at age 33. "I lived for it," said Taymazov. "I think about it all the time. I've got a silver and two gold medals and I wanted to get the third gold. There was also a time pressure, because I am 33. But it was my time." Taymazov said we have not seen the last of him. "I don't plan to retire yet but for six months I'll take time off," said Taymazov. "Rest assured, for six months I'm not going to do anything." Day 7 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Men's Freestyle) 60 kilos: Gold: Toghrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan) Silver: Besik Kudukov (Russia) Bronze: Coleman Scott (USA) Bronze: Yogeshwar Dutt (India) 5th: Kenichi Yumoto (Japan) 5th: Ri Jong Myong (North Korea) 7th: Masoud Esmailpourjouybari (Iran) 8th: Hassan Ibrahim Madani (Egypt) 9th: Malkhaz Zarkua (Georgia) 10th: Tim Schleicher (Germany) 84 kilos: Gold: Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) Silver: Jaime Espinal (Puerto Rico) Bronze: Dato Marsagishvili (Georgia) Bronze: Ehsan Lashgari (Iran) 5th: Soslan Gattsiev (Belarus) 5th: Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey) 7th: Jake Herbert (USA) 8th: Anzor Urishev (Russia) 9th: Ibragim Aldatov (Ukraine) 10th: Armands Zvirbulis (Latvia) 120 kilos: Gold: Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan) Silver: Davit Modzmanashvili (Georgia) Bronze: Komeil Ghasemi (Iran) Bronze: Bilyal Makhov (Russia) 5th: Tervel Dlagnev (USA) 5th: Daulet Shabanbay (Kazakhstan) 7th: Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia) 8th: Alexei Shemarov (Belarus) 9th: Taha Akgul (Turkey) 10th: Rares Chintoan (Romania)

55 kilos: Gold: Dzhamel Otarsulatnov (Russia) Silver: Vladimer Khinchagashvili (Georgia) Bronze: Kyong-Il Yang (North Korea) Bronze: Shinichi Yumoto (Japan) 5th: Daulet Niyazbekov (Kazakhstan) 5th: Radoslav Velikov (Bulgaria) 7th: Mihran Jaburyan (Armenia) 8th: Hassan Rahimi (Iran) 9th: Ahmet Peker (Turkey) 10th: Amit Kumar (India) 60 kilos: Gold: Toghrul Asgarov (Azerbaijan) Silver: Besik Kudukov (Russia) Bronze: Coleman Scott (USA) Bronze: Yogeshwar Dutt (India) 5th: Kenichi Yumoto (Japan) 5th: Ri Jong Myong (North Korea) 7th: Masoud Esmailpourjouybari (Iran) 8th: Hassan Ibrahim Madani (Egypt) 9th: Malkhaz Zarkua (Georgia) 10th: Tim Schleicher (Germany) 66 kilos: Gold: Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu (Japan) Silver: Sushil Kumar (India) Bronze: Akhzurek Tantarov (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Livan Lopez (Cuba) 5th: Ramazan Sahin (Turkey) 5th: Jabrayil Hasanov (Azerbaijan), 7th: Haislan Garcia (Canada) 8th: David Safaryan (Armenia) 9th: Ikhtiyor Nazruzov (Uzbekistan) 10th: Ali Shabanau (Belarus) 74 kilos: Gold: Jordan Burroughs (United States) Silver: Sadegh Goudarzi (Iran) Bronze: Soslan Tigiev (Uzbekistan) Bronze: Denis Tsargush (Canada) 5th: Gabor Hatos (Hungary) 5th: Matt Gentry (Canada), 7th: Davit Khutishvili (Georgia) 8th: Augusto Midana (Guinea-Bissau) 9th: Ashraf Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 10th: Abdulhakim Shapiev (Kazakhstan) 84 kilos: Gold: Sharif Sharifov (Azerbaijan) Silver: Jaime Espinal (Puerto Rico) Bronze: Dato Marsagishvili (Georgia) Bronze: Ehsan Lashgari (Iran) 5th: Soslan Gattsiev (Belarus) 5th: Ibrahim Bolukbasi (Turkey) 7th: Jake Herbert (USA) 8th: Anzor Urishev (Russia) 9th: Ibragim Aldatov (Ukraine) 10th: Armands Zvirbulis (Latvia) 96 kilos: Gold: Jake Varner (USA) Silver: Valerii Andriitsev (Ukraine) Bronze: George Gogeshelidze (Georgia) Bronze: Khetag Gazyumov (Azerbaijan) 5th: Kurban Kurbanov (Kazakhstan) 5th: Reza Yazdani (Iran) 7th: Magomed Musaev (Kyrgyzstan) 8th: Rustam Isokawa (Japan) 9th: Abdusalam Gadisov (Russia) 10th: Khetag Pliev (Canada) 120 kilos: Gold: Artur Taymazov (Uzbekistan) Silver: Davit Modzmanashvili (Georgia) Bronze: Komeil Ghasemi (Iran) Bronze: Bilyal Makhov (Russia) 5th: Tervel Dlagnev (USA) 5th: Daulet Shabanbay (Kazakhstan) 7th: Chuluunbat Jargalsaikhan (Mongolia) 8th: Alexei Shemarov (Belarus) 9th: Taha Akgul (Turkey) 10th: Rares Chintoan (Romania)

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section Jordan Burroughs celebrates after winning the Olympic gold medal(Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) LONDON -- Twenty-eight years ago today, U.S. wrestling legends Dave Schultz and Bruce Baumgartner won Olympic gold medals in Los Angeles. Now another wrestler U.S. wrestling great can be added to that exclusive list of Olympic gold medalists on Aug. 10: Jordan Burroughs. The 24-year-old Burroughs won four matches on Friday at the ExCeL North Arena 2 in London to claim the Olympic gold medal at 74 kilos, defeating Iran's Sadegh Goudarzi in the gold-medal match 1-0, 1-0. It was a rematch of last year's World Championship gold-medal match, also won by Burroughs. "I waited for this moment for a long time," said Burroughs. "I told everyone I wanted to be the best for a long time. There's a difference between having a plan and actually executing that plan. A lot of people thought I was cocky. I lot of people didn't think I had what it took to be Olympic champ. I won a World championship last year and they thought maybe I got a little bit lucky. Nobody is laughing anymore." Burroughs tweeted on Thursday night that he would be an Olympic gold medalist. "I have a high standard all the time," said Burroughs, whose Twitter handle is @alliseeisgold. "The next tweet I'll have is an Olympic gold medal, and I got it done." Burroughs said his confidence came from his training. "I work hard," said Burroughs. "It's easy to be confident when you work as hard as I work. I know the work that I put in. I know the sacrifices and commitments that I make on a daily basis. Whatever I tweet is basically a reflection of all the hard work I put in." Jordan Burroughs takes a bite out of his Olympic gold medal (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Both Burroughs' points in the gold-medal match came from his trademark double leg, and both in the final 15 seconds of each period. U.S. freestyle coach Zeke Jones believes that was all part of Burroughs' match strategy. "I think Jordan waited until the end of those periods to score," said Jones. "Could he have scored earlier? Yes. But I think he waited until the end, and then he picked up the pace." Burroughs, now two-for-two in world-level events, has sights set on becoming the best freestyle wrestler ever. John Smith won six straight World and Olympic titles from 1987 to 1992. Burroughs is the first American freestyle wrestler since Kurt Angle in 1996 to win back-to-back world-level gold medals. He is a perfect 38-0 in his senior level freestyle career since finishing his college career at Nebraska in 2011. "I want to be the best ever," said Burroughs. "I have a couple more championships to win at this point. Right now I'm feeling great. I'm going to take a couple months off, go back to the drawing board, and hopefully not have any close matches in 2013." In the semifinals Burroughs defeated Russia's Denis Tsargush, a two-time World champion, in a thrilling match that came down to a third and deciding period. Jordan Burroughs gets in on a shot against Russia's Denis Tsargush (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Burroughs won the first period 3-1, scoring a takedown and transitioning to an ankle lace and then a pushout. In the second period Tsargush scored with a single leg takedown and then a pushout to win the period 2-0. The third period was scoreless through the first 90 seconds before Burroughs shot in and scored with his double leg. A short time later he scored with a pushout to extend his lead to 2-0 late in the period. Tsargush would add a late one-point takedown, but it wouldn't be enough as Burroughs advanced with a 2-1 victory over the Russian. "Tough match," said Burroughs's coach Mark Manning, who coached him at Nebraska and now on the senior level. "Jordan didn't wrestle his best there. When it was 30 seconds left, 40 seconds left, he just hit a shot, hit another shot, kind of his signature. Kind of a three-set combination. Hit that patented double leg, baby. Came in handy." Burroughs' victory over Tsargush came after shutting out Puerto Rico's Francisco Soler, 4-0, 6-0, in the opening round, and then winning a hard-fought match over a game Matt Gentry of Canada, 2-1, 1-1, in the quarterfinals. Gentry finished fifth, losing to Tsargush, 1-0, 2-0, in the bronze-medal match. The other U.S. men's freestyle wrestler to compete today was Sam Hazewinkel at 55 kilos. Hazewinkel dropped his first match to 2011 World bronze medalist Dauhelet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan, 3-1, 2-0. The final period came down to a ball draw where Niyazbekov started in the advantageous position and scored the winning point, which the U.S. contested but to no avail. "What it came down to is he got the offense," said Hazewinkel. "He got the one offensive attack. It's upsetting because I feel like I should beat him. I can't let it go to a ball grab second period, plain and simple. That's what he wanted. He knew he had a fifty-fifty chance there. So I really needed to get my offense going a little more." John Smith, who is serving as a coach for the U.S. Olympic freestyle wrestling team, talked about Hazewinkel needing to get to his leg attacks earlier in the match. "It was a good effort, good opponent, " said Smith. "Just not enough. You need to find those leg attacks a little earlier, especially when you're down a period." Hazewinkel was eliminated from the competition when Niyazbekov lost to Russia's Dzhamal Otarsultanov in the semifinals. Niyazbekov finished fifth. "I feel like I let down the USA a little bit," said Hazewinkel. "I came here to do better for the USA and my family and supporters. So that's frustrating." Hazewinkel is a second generation Olympic wrestler. His father Dave and uncle Jim both competed in the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games as members of the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team. Hazewinkel and his father became the first father-son combination to make a U.S. Olympic Team in wresting. "I would have liked to have added to the tradition and got us an Olympic medal," said Hazewinkel. "But at the same time my career is not over. I got a taste for it now. My dad made six straight teams. My uncle made seven. So hopefully this is the start for me." Three more U.S. wrestlers will take to the mats Saturday in London, Coleman Scott (60 kilos), Jake Herbert (84 kilos), and Tervel Dlagnev (120 kilos). Scott, who is in the top half of the bracket at 60 kilos, opens with Seung-Chul Lee of Korea, a 2010 Asian bronze medalist. If Scott gets past Lee, he will face the winner of a match between Olympic silver medalist Vasyl Fedoryshin of Ukraine and Malkhaz Zarkua of Georgia. In the bottom half of the bracket, four-time World champion Besik Kudukhov of Russia and Franklin Gomez of Puerto Rico, a former Michigan State star, in the first round, a rematch of last year's World finals. Gomez has a recent win over Kudukhov. Herbert, a 2009 World silver medalist, is paired with Humberto Arencibia of Cuba in his first match. A win would put him in the quarterfinals against the winner of a match between World champion and two-time World medalist Sharif Sharifov of Azerbaijan and Ibrahim Bolukbasi of Turkey. Dlagnev, a 2009 World bronze medalist, drew Eldesoky Shaban of Egypt in his first match. If Dlagnev defeats Shaban, he would face the winner of a match between World champion Aleksei Shemarov of Belarus and Daniel Ligety of Hungary. Two-time Olympic champion Artur Taymazov of Uzbekistan is on Dlagnev's side of the bracket, while Russia's Bilyal Makhov, a three-time World champion, is on the other side of the bracket. Russian Otarsultanov claims gold at 55 kilos Russian Dzhamal Otarsultanov, a two-time Junior World champion, claimed his first World gold on the senior level, beating another two-time Junior World champion, Vladimer Khinchegashvili of Georgia, 1-0, 4-3 in the gold-medal match at 55 kilos. Otarsultanov defeated two-time World champion Viktor Lebedev to make the Russian team. Day 6 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Men's Freestyle) 55 kilos: Gold: Dzhamel Otarsulatnov (Russia) Silver: Vladimer Khinchagashvili (Georgia) Bronze: Kyong-Il Yang (North Korea) Bronze: Shinichi Yumoto (Japan) 5th: Daulet Niyazbekov (Kazakhstan) 5th: Radoslav Velikov (Bulgaria) 7th: Mihran Jaburyan (Armenia) 8th: Hassan Rahimi (Iran) 9th: Ahmet Peker (Turkey) 10th: Amit Kumar (India) 74 kilos: Gold: Jordan Burroughs (United States) Silver: Sadegh Goudarzi (Iran) Bronze: Soslan Tigiev (Uzbekistan) Bronze: Denis Tsargush (Canada) 5th: Gabor Hatos (Hungary) 5th: Matt Gentry (Canada), 7th: Davit Khutishvili (Georgia) 8th: Augusto Midana (Guinea-Bissau) 9th: Ashraf Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 10th: Abdulhakim Shapiev (Kazakhstan)

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag?

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section Kelsey Cambell went 0-2, getting knocke out in the repechage (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) LONDON -- A day after Clarissa Chun won the first medal for the U.S at the 2012 Olympic Games, Kelsey Campbell (55 kilos) and Ali Bernard (72 kilos) bowed out prior to the medal rounds on the final day of Olympic women's freestyle competition Thursday at the ExCel Center in London. Aside from Chun's bronze medal performance, the other three U.S. women's freestyle wrestlers went a combined 0-4 at the 2012 Olympic Games. Terry Steiner (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"We have a great group of athletes, but we definitely never got the best of them here," said U.S. women's freestyle coach Terry Steiner. "Clarissa performed very well. Other than that I think that we didn't perform well at all." Steiner talked about the U.S. women's freestyle program needing to make changes to move forward. "We've got to go back and look at everything and what we need to make changes on within the senior level program. We also need to start focusing on the development. The countries that are doing well here have been focusing on their Cadets and Juniors extensively for years." Campbell drew the short straw when the brackets were released on Wednesday and she was paired with Saori Yoshida of Japan, now a three-time Olympic champion and nine-time World champion. The Japanese wrestling legend defeated Campbell in two periods, 1-0, 1-0. Yoshida scored in the first period by countering a Campbell leg attack, and then scored off a leg attack of her own in the second period. "The Yoshida match had to be a tactical match," said Steiner. "She's got too much speed to deal with. We had to be tactical. Once she got ahead in those periods, then we had to throw tactics out of the window, wrestle, and get our point back." Saori Yoshida defeated Kelsey Campbell in two periods (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Campbell said she felt prepared for Yoshida, but a few costly mistakes proved to be the difference in the match. "There was about three to four seconds of each period that I just made some mistakes and it cost me that one point," said Campbell. "With some opponents you can get away with that, but not with an opponent like Yoshida. You can't get it back. There's nothing I could have done differently in preparation. It just didn't come together the way I wanted it to." Campbell was pulled through to Thursday night's repechage after Yoshida reached the gold-medal match. In the repechage Campbell faced 2009 World champion Yulia Ratkevich of Azerbaijan, and lost in two periods, 4-0, 1-0. Ratkevich scored her first point off a pushout and held a 1-0 lead late into the first period before Campbell attacked and was close to scoring a pushout, which would have given her the period victory, but Ratkevich countered and scored a two-point exposure. The U.S. challenged the call, but it held up and Ratkevich was given an additional point for the unsuccessful challenge. Ratkevich needed just a one-point takedown to win the second period 1-0 and close out the victory over Campbell. Kelsey Campbell get in on the leg of Yulia Ratkevich (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Campbell didn't want to make excuses about the controversial call at the end of the first period that did not go her way. "I can be upset about that or I can just recognize the fact that I gave up a point and I kind of allowed myself to be in that situation," said Campbell. "You can't make excuses. When you're down a point, there's a reason that you're down. It shouldn't have come to that. It should never come to that where it's an official making a decision." Bernard, who was competing in her second Olympic Games after finishing fifth in 2008, fell in her first match to Sweden's Jenny Fransson, a wrestler she owned several wins over throughout her career. Fransson won the first period 3-0, scoring with a headlock in the closing seconds of the period. Fransson struck first in the second period, scoring with a throw-by to take a 1-0 lead. Bernard responded with a takedown of her own to make the score 1-1, giving her the lead by scoring last. But just as the second period was coming to close, Fransson got in on Bernard's legs and scored a takedown to steal the period and win the match. Ali Bernard dropped her opening match to Jenny Fransson (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)"I'm pretty upset," said Bernard. "It sucks. I came all this way. I've been training all this time. I got a second chance and I messed it up in good terms, I guess. It is what it is. I came out, wrestled four minutes, and didn't do the job. I can either sit and ponder about it or move on." Bernard was placed on the U.S. Olympic Team after the wrestler who defeated her at the Olympic Team Trials, Stephany Lee, failed a drug test and accepted a one-year suspension from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. "It was an emotional roller coaster with a terrible ending," said Bernard. "It's over. The ride is over. But it was worth it." The three-day men's freestyle competition begins on Friday in London. Sam Hazewinkel (55 kilos) and Jordan Burroughs (74 kilos) will take to the mats for the U.S. Hazewinkel opens with returning World bronze medalist Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan. If he gets past Niyazbekov, Hazewinkel will face the winner of Ahmet Peker of Turkey and David Tremblay of Canada. Burroughs, a 2011 World champion, faces Francisco Soler of Puerto Rico. A win would put him against either Matt Gentry of Canada or Narsingh Yadav of India. Two-time World champion Denis Tsargush is also on Burroughs' side of the bracket. Yoshida wins third gold, Vorobieva pins Zlateva Saori Yoshida of Japan won her third gold medal, defeating Canada's Tonya Verbeek 3-0, 2-0 in the gold-medal match at 55 kilos. The other Olympic gold medalist crowned on Thursday night was Russia's Natalia Vorobieva at 72 kilos. Vorobieva pinned Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva after losing the first period. Day 5 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Women's Freestyle) 55 kilos: Gold: Saori Yoshida (Japan) Silver: Tonya Verbeek (Canada) Bronze: Jackeline Renteria (Colombia) Bronze: Yulia Ratkevich (Azerbaijan) 5th: Tetyana Lazareva (Ukraine) 5th: Valeria Zholobova (Russia) 7th: Sofia Mattsson (Sweden) 8th: Marwa Amri (Tunisia) 9th: Lissette Antes Castillo (Ecuador) 10th: Kum Ok Han (North Korea) 72 kilos: Gold: Natalia Vorobieva (Russia) Silver: Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria) Bronze: Gouzel Manyurova (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Madier Unda Gonzales (Spain) 5th: Jiao Wang (China) 5th: Vasilisa Marzaliuk (Belarus) 7th: Laure Ali Annabel (Cameroon) 8th: Burmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) 9th: Jenny Fransson (Sweden) 10th: Svetlana Saenco (Moldova)

48 kilos: Gold: Hitomi Sakamoto Obara (Japan) Silver: Maria Stadnyk (Azerbaijan) Bronze: Clarissa Chun (USA) Bronze: Carol Huynh (Canada) 5th: Isabelle Sambou (Senegal) 5th: Irini Merleni (Ukraine) 7th: Iwona Matkowska (Poland) 8th: Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (Belarus) 9th: Otgontsetseg Davaasukh (Mongolia) 10th: Mayelis Caripa Castillo (Venezuela) 55 kilos: Gold: Saori Yoshida (Japan) Silver: Tonya Verbeek (Canada) Bronze: Jackeline Renteria (Colombia) Bronze: Yulia Ratkevich (Azerbaijan) 5th: Tetyana Lazareva (Ukraine) 5th: Valeria Zholobova (Russia) 7th: Sofia Mattsson (Sweden) 8th: Marwa Amri (Tunisia) 9th: Lissette Antes Castillo (Ecuador) 10th: Kum Ok Han (North Korea) 63 kilos: Gold: Kaori Icho (Japan) Silver: Rui Xue Jing (China) Bronze: Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) Bronze: Lyubov Volossova (Russia) 5th: Martine Dugrenier (Canada) 5th: Monika Michalik (Poland) 7th: Yulia Ostapchuk (Ukraine) 8th: Katherine Vidiaux Lopez (Cuba) 9th: Anastasija Grigorjeva (Latvia) 10th: Hanna Johansson (Sweden) 72 kilos: Gold: Natalia Vorobieva (Russia) Silver: Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria) Bronze: Gouzel Manyurova (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Madier Unda Gonzales (Spain) 5th: Jiao Wang (China) 5th: Vasilisa Marzaliuk (Belarus) 7th: Laure Ali Annabel (Cameroon) 8th: Burmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) 9th: Jenny Fransson (Sweden) 10th: Svetlana Saenco (Moldova)

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section Clarissa Chun with the other Olympic medalists at 48 kilos (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com) LONDON -- It took four days, but on Wednesday the U.S. claimed its first wrestling medal of the 2012 Olympic Games in London when Clarissa Chun earned a bronze medal in women's freestyle at 48 kilos. Ironically, Chun, a 30-year-old Hawaiian, defeated the same wrestler who defeated her four years ago for the Olympic bronze medal in Beijing, Irini Merleni of Ukraine, an Olympic champion and three-time World champion. "She's a beast," Chun said of Merleni. "She tries to intimidate a lot of people. This time I was just not going to fall for it. I was like, 'I want this more than her.'" Clarissa Chun shows off her Olympic bronze medal (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)U.S. women's freestyle coach Terry Steiner said Chun has gone through ups and down of late. "Clarissa deserved it," said Steiner. "She needed it. She was in this same match four years ago. She went through a lot of turmoil the last month. I'm just happy for her that she could keep it together and get refocused and get her job done. She's the talent." After her victory over Merleni, Chun raced around the ExCel Center with the American flag draped around her body wearing a smile that stretched from ear to ear. It was a scene that looked more like a gold medalist celebrating than a bronze medalist whose dream was crushed earlier in the day. "Gold is what I strive for," said Chun. "I'm happy with the bronze. I cannot cry about getting third. For me it was [about] finishing strong." Chun was a World champion in 2008, but holds this Olympic bronze medal in higher regard than her World gold medal. "This is bigger," said Chun. "This is the Olympics. The cream of the crop is here. All my family and friends are here, coming from Hawaii. Long travel. Just years of work put in. I love it." Chun opened with a victory over China's Shasha Zhou (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Chun opened Wednesday morning with a two-period victory over China's Shasha Zhou, 5-0, 1-0. She used a one-point takedown and two two-point gut wrenches to win the first period. The second period went to the ball draw after a scoreless two minutes. Chun won the ball draw, starting with Zhou's leg, and quickly finished for a takedown and the victory. Chun then faced 2011 World champion Mariya Stadnyk of Azerbaijan, and fell in two periods, 3-0, 2-0. Chun was pulled back into the tournament when Stadnyk reached the gold-medal match, beating Merleni in the semifinals. Chun was paired with Poland's Iwona Matkowska in the repechage, with the winner earning a spot in the bronze-medal match. Matkowska took the first period 1-0, winning the ball draw and using the advantageous position to score a takedown and win the period. Chun got on the board early in the second period, scoring a point off a pushout 14 seconds into the period. A short time later Chun used a front headlock roll to put Matkowska on her back and record the fall. Chun carried that momentum into her bronze-medal match with Merleni. She controlled the action from the opening whistle, winning the first period by scoring with a drag in the closing seconds, and then won the second period 4-0, scoring with a takedown and three-point throw. With one day of women's freestyle competition left, the U.S. women have already matched the medal output from 2008 at the Beijing Olympics when Randi Miller was the lone medalist, earning a bronze medal at 63 kilos. "In 2008 when Randi got it I was like living her dream," said Chun. "I was like, 'Oh my god. That's so awesome.' Now I get my own." Elena Pirozhkova battles Anastasija Grigorjeva of Latvia (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Elena Pirozhkova, a 2010 World silver medalist, was the other U.S. women's freestyle wrestler to compete on Wednesday. She dropped her opening match to Anastasija Grigorjeva of Latvia, 2-0, 0-5, 0-2. Pirozhkova used two takedowns to win the first period 2-0. But the tide quickly turned in the second period as the Latvia wrestler picked up her pace and overwhelmed Pirozhkova, scoring with a pushout and four one-point takedowns. Grigorjeva scored with two pushouts to win the deciding period 2-0. "It was just a really high-paced match," said Pirozhkova. "After the first period I don't think I was ready for the second period after I came back from the 30-second break." Pirozhkova attributed her loss to conditioning problem. "I felt great coming in, but there's a lot more conditioning I have to work on, at least like mat conditioning, mat sprints," Pirozhkova said. "It definitely showed during this match." U.S. women's freestyle assistant coach Vladislav "Izzy" Izoboinikov said it was a matter of Pirozhkova not being able to match the Latvia wrestler's pace. "Our strategy going into the match was correct," said Izzy. "We watched plenty of films. We knew everything about the girl. But it's hard to match the pace of the match. We didn't find a way to slow her down. We couldn't raise our level up. That's something we just need to address in the future, and something that was addressed in the past, but not fixed." Ali Bernard will face Sweden's Jenny Fransson at 72 kilos (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The women's freestyle competition will wrap up in London on Thursday as the U.S. will send out Kelsey Campbell (55 kilos) and Ali Bernard (72 kilos). Both received difficult draws. Campbell will open with two-time Olympic champion and nine-time World champion Saori Yoshida of Japan. Bernard will face Sweden's Jenny Fransson, who was fifth in the 2010 World Championships. If Bernard gets past Fransson, she will face the winner of a match between match between five-time World champion Stanka Zlateeva of Bulgaria and 2011 World bronze medalist Vasalisa Marzalyuk of Belarus. Chun said it's important for her teammates competing on Thursday not to get too stressed or caught up in the moment of competing on the highest stage. "For Kelsey and Ali, I just want them to have fun out there, like focused and fun" said Chun. "I wish them all the best." The final day of women's freestyle competition gets underway on Thursday at 1 p.m. local time in London, 8 a.m. ET at the ExCel Center. Japanese legends Sakamoto Obara, Icho win gold Japenese wrestling legends Hitomi Sakamoto Obara (48 kilos) and Kaori Icho (63 kilos) won gold medals on Wednesday night. For Icho, it was her third Olympic gold medal. Day 4 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Women's Freestyle) 48 kilos: Gold: Hitomi Sakamoto Obara (Japan) Silver: Maria Stadnyk (Azerbaijan) Bronze: Clarissa Chun (USA) Bronze: Carol Huynh (Canada) 5th: Isabelle Sambou (Senegal) 5th: Irini Merleni (Ukraine) 7th: Iwona Matkowska (Poland) 8th: Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (Belarus) 9th: Otgontsetseg Davaasukh (Mongolia) 10th: Mayelis Caripa Castillo (Venezuela) 63 kilos: Gold: Kaori Icho (Japan) Silver: Rui Xue Jing (China) Bronze: Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) Bronze: Lyubov Volossova (Russia) 5th: Martine Dugrenier (Canada) 5th: Monika Michalik (Poland) 7th: Yulia Ostapchuk (Ukraine) 8th: Katherine Vidiaux Lopez (Cuba) 9th: Anastasija Grigorjeva (Latvia) 10th: Hanna Johansson (Sweden)

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section LONDON -- Heading into the 2012 Olympic Games, U.S. Greco-Roman coach Steve Fraser believed each of his six wrestlers was capable of earning an Olympic medal in London. As it turns out, the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling will leave London without an Olympic medal after the final American Greco-Roman wrestler to take the mat, Justin Lester, was eliminated from the competition on Tuesday night. It's the third straight year the U.S. has failed to win a medal at a world-level event. Prior to 2010, the U.S. had not been shut out in the medal department at a world-level event in Greco-Roman since 2003. "We're obviously not that good of a team yet," said Fraser. "Each guy had the potential to win a medal. I believe that. But in reality we've got some real young guys on our team that are going to keep improving. We've got two 21-year-old guys on our team, and we've got a few veteran guys that have been around a long time. It's hard to stay on top in the sport for a long time." Justin Lester gets ready to step on the mat in London (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, used two three-point moves in his first match to defeat Tsutomu Fujimura, 3-0, 3-1. In the quarterfinals Lester squared off against Hungary's Tamas Lorincz, whose previous high finish in a world-level event was fifth. Lester controlled the first period, winning 2-0 with two pushouts. But the 28-year-old American was unable to find his offense the rest of the match as Lorincz took the final two periods 1-0 and 2-0. Lester caught a break when Lorincz defeated 2011 World silver medalist Manuchar Tskhadaia of Georgia to advance to the finals, which pulled Lester through to the repechage, giving him new life and a chance at a bronze medal. Lester was then paired with Germany's Frank Staebler, who placed fifth at last year's World Championships. Staebler dominated the match from start to finish. He nearly pinned Lester in the first period after executing a three-point body lock before settling for a 5-0 first-period victory. The second period was more of the same as Staebler executed another three-point throw and rolled to another 5-0 victory, eliminating Lester from the competition. "I just couldn't put it together today," Lester said moments after being knocked out of the tournament. "I don't know what it was. I couldn't get the ball rolling. Obviously it showed." Justin Lester battles for position against Hungary's Tamas Lorincz on Tuesday (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Lester was confident going into the Olympic Games, but things just didn't go his way. "I felt great," said Lester. "I felt like I was a gold medalist. But obviously my body just wouldn't work the way I wanted it to." Lester says that he cuts 25 to 30 pounds to make 66 kilos (145.5 pounds), but refused to use that as an excuse for his performance and has no regrets dropping to 66 kilos instead of wrestling 74 kilos. "That's my weight class," Lester said of 66 kilos. "It sucks cutting the weight, but I'm too small for 74. I loved being at 74, eating all I wanted. But if I want to be competitive in the world I've got to be at 66." The six-member U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team finished the Olympic Games with a combined 5-8 record over three days of competition. It's the first time since 1976 that the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling has left the Olympic Games without a medal. Fraser's message on Tuesday was simple. "We've got to get better as a country," said Fraser. "That's all I'm going to say, really. We've had our challenges in Greco. I'm not going to make any excuses. But we've got to just get better." Elena Pirozhkova opens with Anastasija Grigorjeva of Latvia (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)The two-day women's freestyle competition begins on Wednesday at the Olympic Games. Korea is expected to dominate the event with three of its four wrestlers favored to win gold medals. The U.S. will send out Clarissa Chun (48 kilos) and Elena Pirozhkova (63 kilos), a World champion and World silver medalist respectively, on Wednesday. Chun opens with World bronze medalist Shasha Zhou of China. If Chun gets past Zhou, she will face 2009 World champion Mariya Stadnik of Azerbaijan. Pirozhkova drew Anastasija Grigorjeva of Latvia in the opening round. Grigorjeva was a European runner-up this year. A win for Pirozhkova would pit her against the winner of the match between Sylvie Datty-Ngonga Tara Agoue of the Central African Republic and Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia. Wrestling begins at 1 p.m. local time and 8 a.m. ET on Wednesday at the ExCel Centre in London. Japan wins gold medal, Iran wins third Korea's Kim Hyenwoo (66 kilos) and Iran's Ghasem Rezaei (96 kilos) claimed the final two gold medals in the Greco-Roman competition on Tuesday night. Kim HyenwooKing topped Hungarian Tamas Lorincz in the finals, 1-0, 2-0, winning the first period by defending in par terre, and earning two points off a leg foul in the second period. "It doesn't feel real right now, but I feel very happy," said Kiim. Kim had to overcame a major black eye to come out on top against Lorincz. "I couldn't see through one eye, which was annoying, but I got through it with my mentality," said Kim. Rezaei took the titles at 96 kilos by downing Russia's Rustam Totrov in the finals, 2-0, 1-0. "I feel proud of myself," said Rezaei. "I think I made the people in my country feel happy. That is more important and precious to me than the gold medal itself. Being one of the stars makes Iranian people happy." Iran had never had an Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman coming into the the this Olympic Games, but will leave London with three gold medals. Rezaei believed three gold medals was a real possibility in London. "Definitely we expected this situation after the World Championships in Turkey last year," said Rezaei. "The boys (all the athletes and coaches in his team) were certain. It was not a wish."

55 kilos: Gold: Soryan Reihanpour (Iran) Silver: Rovshan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) Bronze: Peter Modos (Hungary) Bronze: Mingyan Semenov (Russia) 5th: Hakan Nyblom (Denmark) 5th: Gyu-Jin Choi (Korea) 7th: Shujin Li (China) 8th: Gustavo Balart (Cuba) 9th: Spenser Mango (USA) 10th: Kohei Hasegawa (Japan) 60 kilos: Gold: Omid Noroozi (Iran) Silver: Revaz Lashki (Georgia) Bronze: Zaur Kuramagomedov (Russia) Bronze: Ryutaro Matsumoto (Japan) 5th: Hasan Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 5th: Almat Kebispayev (Kazakhstan) 7th: Ivo Angelov (Bulgaria) 8th: Ji-Hyun Jung (Korea) 9th: Tarik Belmadani (France) 10th: Jiang Sheng (China) 66 kilos: Gold: Hyeon-Woo Kim (Korea) Silver: Tamas Lorincz (Hungary), Bronze: Manuchar Tskhaidia (Georgia) Bronze: Steeve Guenot (France) 5th: Frank Staebler (Germany) 5th: Pedro Mulens (Cuba) 7th: Edgaras Venckaitis (Lithuania) 8th: Justin Lester (USA) 9th: Darkhan Bayakhmetov (Kazakhstan) 10th: Amm El Garably (Egypt) 74 kilos: Gold: Roman Vlasov (Russia) Silver: Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia) Bronze: Aleksandr Kazekevic (Lithuania) Bronze: Emin Ahmadov (Azerbaijan) 5th: Mark Madsen (Denmark) 5th: Aliaksandr Kikiniou (Belarus) 7th: Zurabi Datunishvili (Georgia) 8th: Christophe Guenot (France) 9th: Robert Rosengren (Sweden) 10th: Neven Zugaj (Croatia) 84 kilos: Gold: Alan Khugaev (Russia) Silver: Karam Gaber (Egypt) Bronze: Danjel Gajiyev (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Damian Janikowski (Poland) 5th: Vladimer Gegeshidze (Georgia), 5th: Melonin Noumonvi (France) 7th: Pablo Shorey (Cuba) 8th: Vasil Rachyba (Ukraine) 9th: Chas Betts (USA) 10th: Amer Hrustanovic (Austria) 96 kilos: Gold: Ghasem Rezaei (Iran) Silver: Rustam Totrov (Russia) Bronze: Artur Aleksanyan (Armenia) Bronze: Jimmy Lidberg (Sweden) 5th: Yunior Estrada Falcon (Cuba) 5th: Tsimafei Dzeinichenka (Belarus), 7th: Elis Guri (Bulgaria) 8th: Ardo Arusaar (Estonia) 9th: Hassine Ayari (Tunisia) 10th: Shalva Gadabadze (Azerbaijan) 120 kilos: Gold: Mijian Lopez (Cuba) Silver: Heiki Nabi (Estonia) Bronze: Riza Kayaalp (Turkey) Bronze: Johan Euren (Sweden) 5th: Guram Pherselidze (Georgia) 5th: Ioseb Chugoshvili (Belarus) 7th: Darzi Babanjanzadeh (Iran) 8th: Yuri Patrikeev (Armenia) 9th: Dremiel Byers (USA) 10th: Lukasz Banak (Poland)

InterMat's T.R. Foley and Bloody Elbow's Mike Riordan launch their new podcast Cheap Tilt Radio with a discussion of Olympic wrestling and the best betting lines at each of the freestyle weights. Do you want to listen to a past episode? View archives.

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section LONDON -- After a tough first day for the U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team at the 2012 Olympic Games, things went from bad to worse on Monday after three more wrestlers, including a three-time World medalist, were eliminated in the first session of the day at the ExCel Centre in London. Ellis Coleman (60 kilos), Chas Betts (84 kilos), and Dremiel Byers (120 kilos) posted a combined 2-3 record on Monday. The U.S. Greco-Roman wrestling team has now gone 4-6 over the first two days of competition, and is still in search of its first Olympic medal in London with only Justin Lester at 66 kilos left to compete. "Obviously, we're disappointed," said U.S. Greco-Roman coach Steve Fraser. "We didn't come here to not win a lot of medals. I thought everybody that was here was capable of winning a medal. But man, it's no easy task. It's the Olympic Games. We didn't do it. That's all I can say. We can't make any excuses. We weren't good enough yesterday and today. But tomorrow is a new day, and with Justin Lester we're going to be good enough." Olympic training partner Joe Warren talks with Ellis Coleman (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Coleman, who was competing in his first world-level event on the senior level, fell in the first round to Bulgaria's Ivo Angelov in two straight periods, 0-1, 1-7. The first period started with a scoreless 90 seconds. Coleman started on top in the par terre position, but was unable to score, giving Angelov a point and the period victory. Angelov dominated the second period 7-1, ending the match by countering Coleman's last-ditch effort at his trademark "Flying Squirrel" move. Coleman was eliminated from the competition after Angelov lost in the next round. "My coach talked to me and told me that I'm young," said Coleman. "I'm 20 years old. I've got plenty of medals and World titles to win. No matter what, he still thinks that I'm a champion ... and that I train as hard as I can. You never know if you're going to get that opportunity again. Anything can happen on any given day, any second. This was my chance today. I know that for a fact, and I let it go." Chas Betts throws Keitani Graham of Micronesia for five (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Betts opened his tournament with a 6-0, 1-0 victory over Keitani Graham of Micronesia. In the first period Betts scored a one-point takedown, and then executed a five-point throw to end the period. He needed just a one-point pushout to win the second period 1-0. Betts then dropped his next match to Cuba's Pablo Enrique Shorey Hernandez, 1-0, 1-0, in the rubber meeting between the two. The Cuban won the first period after Betts was unable to score from the top position in par terre. Hernandez scored a pushout in the second period, which was enough to win the period and take the match. Betts' bid at earning a spot in the repechage ended when Hernandez was headlocked and pinned by Poland's Damian Janikkowski in the quarterfinals. "The loss (to Hernandez) was tough," said Betts. "And then it's even tougher to have to sit and watch your guy try to carry you through. I was pretty confident in him hopefully getting to the finals, but it didn't work out. I'm pretty disappointed." Chas Betts walks out to the mat with coach Momir Petkovic (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Fraser was pleased with Betts' effort, just not the result. "I thought he gave his best effort," said Fraser. "He's in great shape. I know he pushed himself to the limit that last period to try to score. He just couldn't put a point on the board." Betts wrestled in the World Championships in 2009, and said there are some noticeable differences between competing in the World Championships and the Olympic Games. "The atmosphere is a little different," said Betts. "You can tell. The crowd is awesome here. The World Championships, it's also divided by country. Some have a lot bigger contingents than others. But here it's like everybody is cheering like they know the people. It's pretty special." Byers, a three-time World medalist, defeated Muminjon Abdullaev Uzbekistan, 2-0, 1-0, in a match that saw the first 90 seconds of each of the first two periods go scoreless. Byers successfully defended in par terre to win the first period, 1-0, and then used a two-point gut wrench to win the second period 2-0. Dremiel Byers, a three-time World medalist, battles Riza Kayaalp of Turkey (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)In the second round Byers drew 2011 World champion Riza Kayaalp of Turkey, and lost in two periods, 1-0, 1-0. The first period went scoreless through the first 90 seconds, which sent the match to par terre. Byers started par terre in the top position, but was unable to score, which gave Kayaalp the first-period victory. Kayaalp scored with a pushout in the second period, which is the only point he would need in winning the second period 1-0. Kayaalp was then pitted against Cuba's Mijain Lopez, a three-time World champion and 2008 Olympic champion Mijain Lopez of Cuba in a rematch of last year's World finals match. Last year Kayaalp pulled the monumental upset in his home country of Turkey. This time Lopez won in two periods, 2-0, 1-0, which eliminated Byers from the competition. "I really don't know what to say," Byers said. "It just hurts. It didn't work out the way I needed it to. I tried to leave it all out there, but just came up short." Justin Lester, a two-time World bronze medalist, will be the lone wrestler to compete for the U.S. on Tuesday. He opens with Japan's Tsutomu Fujimura. Lester will need to win three matches to earn a spot in Tuesday night's finals. Wrestling begins at 1 p.m. local time/8 a.m. ET with two Greco-Roman weight classes contested, 66 kilos and 96 kilos, but the U.S. does not have a representative at 96 kilos. Noroozi, Khugaev, Lopez win gold medals Iran's Omid Noroozi (60 kilos), Russia's Alan Khugaev (84 kilos), and Cuba's Mijian Lopez (120 kilos) earned Olympic gold medals in Greco-Roman on the second day of the Greco-Roman competition at the 2012 Olympic Games. For Noroozi and Khugaev, they become the second wrestlers in their respective countries to win gold medals in Greco-Roman this Olympic Games. Noroozi claimed his gold medal by defeating Revaz Lashkhi of Georgia, 1-0, 1-0, in the finals at 60 kilos. He joins Soryan Reihanpour (55 kilos) as an Iranian Olympic gold medalist in Greco-Roman. "My coach helped me so much with my win," said Noroozi. "I want to thank him so much. I would also like to dedicate this medal to all of the people in the country (Iran). I hope I will continue to be successful in the future." Khugaev defeated 2004 Olympic champion Karam Mohamed Gaber Ebrahim of Egypt, 1-0, 2-0, and joins Roman Vlasov (74 kilos) as a Russian Olympic champion in Greco-Roman. "Our country is very good in wrestling and we hope that tomorrow it will be the third gold medal for us in wrestling, as it was in the previous Olympics in Beijing (2008)," said Khugaev. Lopez added a second Olympic gold medal and sixth world-level title to his resume by shutting out Estonia's Heiki Nabi, 2-0, 1-0, in the finals at 120 kilos. So will the Cuban Greco-Roman legend go for a third Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016? "I am considering it," said Lopez. "I would like to. But I am 30 and it becomes more complicated to stay at the top. These were my third Olympic Games and life goes on. So let's see." Day 2 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Greco-Roman) 60 kilos: Gold: Omid Noroozi (Iran) Silver: Revaz Lashki (Georgia) Bronze: Zaur Kuramagomedov (Russia) Bronze: Ryutaro Matsumoto (Japan) 5th: Hasan Aliyev (Azerbaijan) 5th: Almat Kebispayev (Kazakhstan) 7th: Ivo Angelov (Bulgaria) 8th: Ji-Hyun Jung (Korea) 9th: Tarik Belmadani (France) 10th: Jiang Sheng (China) 84 kilos: Gold: Alan Khugaev (Russia) Silver: Karam Gaber (Egypt) Bronze: Danjel Gajiyev (Kazakhstan) Bronze: Damian Janikowski (Poland) 5th: Vladimer Gegeshidze (Georgia), 5th: Melonin Noumonvi (France) 7th: Pablo Shorey (Cuba) 8th: Vasil Rachyba (Ukraine) 9th: Chas Betts (USA) 10th: Amer Hrustanovic (Austria) 120 kilos: Gold: Mijian Lopez (Cuba) Silver: Heiki Nabi (Estonia) Bronze: Riza Kayaalp (Turkey) Bronze: Johan Euren (Sweden) 5th: Guram Pherselidze (Georgia) 5th: Ioseb Chugoshvili (Belarus) 7th: Darzi Babanjanzadeh (Iran) 8th: Yuri Patrikeev (Armenia) 9th: Dremiel Byers (USA) 10th: Lukasz Banak (Poland)

Related Content: 2012 Olympic Games Coverage Section LONDON -- It was a tough start for the U.S. wrestling team at the 2012 Olympic Games in London as the first two Americans to take the mat, Greco-Roman wrestlers Spenser Mango (55 kilos) and Ben Provisor (74 kilos), failed to earn medals on Sunday at the ExCel Centre in London. The two wrestlers combined to go 2-3. "There's no easy people here," said U.S. Greco-Roman coach Steve Fraser. "I think they did their best, but their best wasn't good enough." Mango, who has represented the U.S. at the Worlds or Olympics every year since 2008, opened with a two-period victory over Mohamed Abouhalima of Egypt, 6-1, 1-0. He got on the board early with a takedown and two-point exposure, followed up with a two-point gut wrench to go up 5-0. The 18-year-old scored with a pushout, but Mango added a late takedown to win 6-1. The second period went to par terre after neither wrestled scored in the first 90 seconds. Mango defended for the period win and the match victory. Spenser Mango works to defend in par terre against Rovshan Bayramov of Azerbaijan (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Mango then fell to 2011 World champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist Rovshan Bayramov of Azerbaijan in his second match. Bayramov scored all four of his first-period points in par terre with lifts. He scored with one-point lift and followed it up with a three-point lift to take the period 4-0. In the second period Bayramov scored four points off a high dive, putting Mango to his back. That's all the points Bayramov needed as he won the period 4-0 to close out the match. Mango, though, earned a spot in the repechage (wrestlebacks) after Bayramov reached the finals. In the repechage Mango fell to Russia's Mingiyan Semenov, 2-0, 1-0, eliminating the American from the competition. Semenov went on to earn the Olympic bronze medal. "I wrestled tough," said Mango, who finished ninth in the competition. "That's all I can do is go out there and give it my best. I did that today and it wasn't my day. "Anybody can be beat on any given day. That's what I always believe. Nobody comes in already with a gold medal around their neck. I just go back there, work hard in the practice room, come back, and give it another shot." Mango was competing in his second Olympic Games after placing eighth in the 2008 Beijing Games. So how was Mango's Olympic experience different this time around? "It was not so much an eye-opener for me this time," said the 26-year-old Mango. "I knew what to expect. I've seen almost all my competitors that were in the bracket. I've seen them wrestle before, or I've wrestled them. I pretty much know everybody." Ben Provisor came back to defeat Cuba's Alexi Bell in his opening match (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Provisor, like Mango, won his opening match, coming from behind to defeat Alexi Bell of Cuba. Bell took the first period on the strength of a takedown and two-point gut wrench. But that was all the points Provisor would give up the rest of the match, winning second period 1-0 with a pushout, and closing out the match by successfully defending in par terre in the third period. Provisor dropped his second match to Zurabi Datunashvili of Georgia, a Junior World silver medalist. Datunashvili won the first period 1-0 by successfully defending in par terre. Datunashvili dominated the second period 6-0, scoring with a three-point arm throw, two-point exposure, and pushout. Provisor was eliminated from the tournament after Datunashvili lost in the quarterfinals to Emin Ahmadov of Azerbaijan. "I wrestled my best," said Provisor, who was competing in his first world-level event on the senior level. "I'm going to learn from this experience and try to get better." Ben Provisor gets advice from U.S. coaches James Johnson and Momir Petkovic (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Despite falling short of a medal, Provisor said the Olympic experience has been a positive one. "It's been awesome," said Provisor. "There's nothing like the Olympic Games. At 22 years old it's awesome to be able to experience it. I'm just going to take this as a learning lesson for the next four years." Fraser discussed the importance of not dwelling on Sunday's performance with two more days of Greco-Roman competition remaining. "We can't let it be a negative," said Fraser. "We have three more wrestlers coming tomorrow and they all have great potential too. Again, our draws are tough, but they're all tough. This is the Olympic Games. Everybody is tough." The U.S. Greco-Roman wrestlers that will take the mat on Monday are Ellis Coleman (60 kilos), Chas Betts (84 kilos), and Dremiel Byers (120). Coleman will open his competition with 2011 World bronze medalist Ivo Angelov of Bulgaria. Betts will see Keitani Graham of Micronesia in the opening round. Byers will face Muminjon Abdullaev of Uzbekistan in his first round match. "Everybody has to come tomorrow right off the bat ready to rumble," said Fraser. "Ellis, Betts, and Byers are all going to do that. I guarantee you." World champs Reihanpour, Vlasov win gold medals The two gold medalists crowned on Sunday at the 2012 Olympic Games in the Greco-Roman competition were Soryan Reihanpour of Iran at 55 kilos and Roman Vlasov of Russia at 74 kilos. Iran's Soryan Reihanpour claimed the gold medal at 55 kilosReihanpour, a five-time World champion and now Olympic champion, claimed his gold medal by shutting out the aforementioned Bayramov, 2-0, 1-0. "I am very happy," said Reihanpour. "I am representing the children of Iran and I am very grateful to get gold." Reihanpour remains uncertain whether he will set his sights on another Olympic gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games "I cannot make a decision just now," said Reihanpour. "There are so many people that have helped me throughout my career. I have to discuss this with them." For Bayramov, it was his second Olympic silver medal after finishing second in Beijing. The medal winners at 74 kilos in Greco-RomanVlasov defeated Armenia's Arsen Julfalakyan in the finals at 74 kilos, 1-0, 1-0, adding an Olympic gold medal to a growing collection of medals that also includes a World gold medal in 2011 and a Junior World gold medal in 2010. "I want to thank my coaches, my parents, my brother, my wife and my city Novosibirsk," said Vlasov. "I know they are not sleeping now. They supported me. I congratulate my opponents as well. Arsen, he is my main rival. His father is an Olympic champion. Each match with him I had was tough." Vlasov was inspired by another Olympic champion from Russia who is universally considered the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler of all time. "I want to add that Alexander Karelin is my biggest idol," said Vlasov. "He trained in my gym. I am proud that I was able to train with him and it is also thanks to him that I am now an Olympic champion." Monday's action begins at 1 p.m. local time/8 a.m. ET with three Greco-Roman weight classes contested, 60 kilos, 84 kilos, and 120 kilos. Day 1 Olympic Wrestling Placewinners (Greco-Roman) 55 kilos: Gold: Soryan Reihanpour (Iran) Silver: Rovshan Bayramov (Azerbaijan) Bronze: Peter Modos (Hungary) Bronze: Mingyan Semenov (Russia) 5th: Hakan Nyblom (Denmark) 5th: Gyu-Jin Choi (Korea) 7th: Shujin Li (China) 8th: Gustavo Balart (Cuba) 9th: Spenser Mango (USA) 10th: Kohei Hasegawa (Japan) 74 kilos: Gold: Roman Vlasov (Russia) Silver: Arsen Julfalakyan (Armenia) Bronze: Aleksandr Kazekevic (Lithuania) Bronze: Emin Ahmadov (Azerbaijan) 5th: Mark Madsen (Denmark) 5th: Aliaksandr Kikiniou (Belarus) 7th: Zurabi Datunishvili (Georgia) 8th: Christophe Guenot (France) 9th: Robert Rosengren (Sweden) 10th: Neven Zugaj (Croatia)

Daily Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8 Placewinners: Greco-Roman | Women's Freestyle | Men's Freestyle Links: Schedule | Predictions Photos: John Sachs | Larry Slater Greco-Roman Brackets: 55 | 60 | 66 | 74 | 84 | 96 | 120 Women's Freestyle Brackets: 48 | 55 | 63 | 72 Men's Freestyle Brackets: 55 | 60 | 66 | 74 | 84 | 96 | 120

InterMat senior writer T.R. Foley answers reader questions about NCAA wrestling, international wrestling, recruiting, or anything loosely related to wrestling. You have until Thursday night every week to send questions to Foley's Twitter or email account. Do you want to read a past mailbag?

Day 1: Sunday, Aug. 5 Style: Greco-Roman U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Spenser Mango (55 kilos), Ben Provisor (74 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 2: Monday, Aug. 6 Style: Greco-Roman U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Ellis Coleman (60 kilos), Chas Betts (84 kilos), Dremiel Byers (120 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 3: Tuesday, Aug. 7 Style: Greco Roman U.S. Wrestler Competing: Justin Lester (66 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 4: Wednesday, Aug. 8 Style: Women's Freestyle U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Clarissa Chun (48 kilos), Elena Pirozhkova (63 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 5: Thursday, Aug. 9 Style: Women's Freestyle U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Kelsey Campbell (55 kilos), Ali Bernard (72 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 6: Friday, Aug. 10 Style: Men's Freestyle U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Sam Hazewinkel (55 kilos), Jordan Burroughs (74 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time: (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 7: Saturday, Aug. 11 Style: Men's Freestyle U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Coleman Scott (60 kilos), Jake Herbert (84 kilos), Tervel Dlagnev (120 kilos) Time (London): 1-3:45 p.m. & 5:45-8:15 p.m. ET Time (U.S.): 8-10:45 a.m. ET & 12:45-3:15 p.m. ET Day 8: Sunday, Aug. 12 Style: Men's Freestyle U.S. Wrestlers Competing: Jared Frayer (66 kilos), Jake Varner (96 kilos) Time (London): 8:30-11:15 a.m. & 12:45-3:15 p.m. Time (U.S.): 3:30-6:15 a.m. ET & 7:45-10:15 a.m. ET

The landscape of international freestyle wrestling at the senior level has become remarkably balanced over the past few years. Yes, Russia remains the favorite year in and year out but the current rules, combined with the ascendency of teams of such as Azerbaijan and Iran, make them less of a lock than they used to be. Individually, there is parity as well. It's very difficult for athletes to repeat as a World champion. Last year, of the seven champions, only Victor Lebedev of Russia (55 kilos), Besik Kudukhov of Russia (60 kilos), and Medhi Taghavi of Iran (66 kilos) won previous titles. Lebedev did not make the Russian Olympic team for London and at the World Cup in May, three standing World champions did not take gold and each suffered a defeat. One cannot overstate the level of adjustments that senior level wrestlers can make. After competitions, analysis of strengths and "weaknesses" can be scrutinized to a very high degree. Because of this, we see revenge matches with a fair amount of regularity. Moreover, the rise in availability online videos of matches allows wrestling fans to able to appreciate the level of strategy that is often involved. Because videos can be enjoyed over and over again online, the extent to which a plan was executed is now more easily understood. In short, it's difficult to rank or handicap international wrestling competitions at the senior level since, frankly, everyone is great. The difference between victory and defeat is miniscule. In assessing the Olympic field, one can only go by two general guidelines. Performances at the Worlds or Olympics must be given greater significance than wins or losses at other competitions throughout the year. Wrestling is a sport about peaking. The technique level is very high and constantly needs to be modified and advanced as opponents study, adapt and strategize. Year-round results should be looked at, but with the understanding that sometimes wrestlers are "working out the kinks" or integrating new techniques into their arsenals in certain events. Recent world medals must outweigh older medals -- especially with wrestlers who have had very long careers. Top-notch freestyle wrestling leaves no room for error and losing even a half step in performance can guarantee that an athlete will not advance. That said, experience is invaluable and wrestlers who keep showing up at the worlds year after year put the odds in their favor of putting together a great run. Here is a look at the ten best freestyle wrestlers at the 2012 Olympic Games ... 10. Khetag Gozyumov Country: Azerbaijan Weight Class: 96 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 1 silver 1 bronze Commentary: Gozyumov didn't place at the Worlds last year, but split epic battles in the finals with Khadjimourat Gatsalov of Russia in 2009 and 2010. Gozyumov is 29 and doesn't seem to be in decline in his abilities. He looked solid in his runner-up finish at the World Cup in April, despite losing to Yazdani. 9. Denis Tsargush Country: Russia Weight Class: 74 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 2 gold Russia's Denis Tsargush, a two-time World champion, is looking to bounce back from last year's disappointment (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Commentary: Tsargush's loss to Burroughs in the second round of the Worlds last year was closer than many seem realize. Tsargush was in on a deep shot at the end of the second period which would have won the match. Time expired before a point could be scored, but it was awfully close. Tsargush is notorious for gamesmanship and his pulling of singlets is well documented. This does not change the fact that he is an exceptional talent. Tsargush remains capable of beating everyone at the weight class remains the biggest threat to putting a blemish on Jordan Burroughs' career. 8. Artur Taymazov Country: Uzbekistan Weight Class: 120 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 4 gold 3 silver 1 bronze Commentary: This two-time Olympic champ is most decorated freestyle wrestler at the Olympic Games. Taymazov has been active since 2000 when he won the silver and has been dominant, if not solid, in the years following. He took silver at the Worlds in 2010 and eighth last year after losing a three-period bout to Tervel Dlagnev of the United States in the quarters. It is certain that he will perform as best he can in going for a fourth Olympic medal. Regardless, one would not be surprised to see him leave his shoes on the center of the mat following is final match in London. 7. Franklin Gomez Country: Puerto Rico Weight Class: 60 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 1 silver Franklin Gomez won a silver medal at the Worlds last year (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Commentary: The former Michigan State wrestler looked great at the Worlds last year, making the finals and losing to Kudukhov from a leg clinch in the first period, and then 1-0 in the second period. The two faced each other again a few weeks ago with Gomez coming out on top. Gomez scored from the clinch in the first period and then dominated the second 6-0, countering a number of well-known Kudukhov moves throughout the bout. If this bout had taken place in January perhaps Gomez wouldn't be on this list, but given how close to the Olympics it took place and how great Gomez has looked overall, he needs to be in the conversation -- more so than say, Vasyl Fedorishin of Ukraine, who has two silver and a bronze, but has not performed as well in recent events. 6. Reza Yazdani Country: Iran Weight Class: 96 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 2 bronze Commentary: Yazdani came out on top in what was arguably the deepest weight class at the Worlds last year. Yazdani is an athlete that is easy to root for, not without emotion and seemingly very concerned with sportsmanship. Not surprisingly, 96 kilos is probably the deepest weight again this year, with a number of very talented wrestlers heading to London. At the World Cup recently, Yazdani beat Gazumov of Azerbaijan, but lost to of Elizbar Odikadze of Georgia who lost to Gazumov. In London, Gadisov of Russia will also be in the mix after winning a very deep national tournament in Russia. 5. Mehdi Taghavi Country: Iran Weight Class: 66 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 2 gold Commentary: Taghavi has one of the best single leg shots in the world. It is set up so well and his determination to finish it makes it very difficult for opponents to defend. Taghavi beat Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu of Japan in the finals last year, but Yonemitsu got revenge at the World Cup in May in one of the most high-quality bouts of the event. The two should be favorites again in London with Taghavi being given a slight edge due to his victory coming at the more important event. 4. Sharif Sharifov Country: Azerbaijan Weight Class: 84 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 1 gold, 2 bronze Commentary: Sharifov's run at the Worlds last year was impressive, which included a sold victory over 2004 Olympic champion Cael Sanderson of the United States. Sharifov has looked great since, winning the World Cup in May. His only loss this year took place when he bumped up to 96 kilos and lost a match against his teammate Khetag Gozyumov. He seems to have really hit his stride and could continue to dominate. 3. Jordan Burroughs Country: United States Weight Class: 74 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 1 gold Jordan Burroughs of the United States could move up to No. 1 if he continues to perform at the level he's been wrestling (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Commentary: Jordan Burroughs is the only wrestler on this list with an undefeated senior level career. If he continues to perform at the level he has been wrestling, he will move up to No. 1, but he must wrestle those matches first. Burroughs gave up takedowns in all five of his matches at the Worlds last year, but his offense is so relentless that opponents can neither keep up nor shut him down. A blueprint of how to beat Burroughs is unclear at this point. Some opponents have managed to keep him from scoring in the first period, but by the second period his pace becomes too much and he has obviously never lost a third period. At the World Cup in May Burroughs faced Sadegh Goudarzi of Iran. The bout was a rematch of the World finals last year and Goudarzi employed amazing strategy, shutting down Burroughs' shots but also launching his own counter offense at remarkably well-timed moments. Burrough's reaction to this counter-offense was amazing and he managed to turn the attacks into pushout points for himself and win the match. With Burroughs, it's not only the intensity and speed of his attacks, but also the way that he surveys the landscape of fast-action scrambles and the instantaneous decisions he makes. Moreover, these decisions are not always offensive. Burroughs possesses a remarkable ability to restrain himself from risky situations when strategy does not advise it. 2. Bilyal Makhov Country: Russia Weight Class: 120 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 3 gold, 1 silver Bilyal Makhov celebrates after winning a World title in 2010 (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Commentary: Makhov has been impressive in the last quadrennial, winning titles in 2009 and 2010 and losing in the finals last year to Aleksey Shemarov of Belarus. The match was won by Shemarov 1-0, 1-0 -- both periods being decided by leg clinches. Holding off for the clinch seemed to be Shemarov's strategy throughout the tournament. Regardless of who you're rooting for, these types of matches are frustrating to watch and are indicative of fans' dissatisfaction with the current rules. Despite last year's final, Makhov should still be considered the favorite here, along with 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev of the United States, who beat Shemarov en route to his World Cup title, and owns a win over Makhov. 1. Besik Kudukhov Country: Russia Weight Class: 60 kilos World/Olympic Medals: 4 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze Russia's Besik Kudukhov remains a strong favorite to win a gold medal despite a loss earlier this year to Franklin Gomez (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Commentary: Kudukhov is a true student of the sport and a great ambassador of wrestling. He possesses very dynamic offensive arsenal and an uncanny ability to seize point-scoring opportunities that are not obvious. His cat-like agility makes him very difficult to score on and also allows him to make last-second adjustments that are very frustrating for opponents. Kudukhov when to peak, routinely saving his best wrestling for when it counts the most.

George Mason men’s wrestling head coach Joe Russell has announced his first recruiting class. Joining the Patriots roster are nine incoming freshman and one transfer. “Tommy and I are excited about our first recruiting class,” stated Russell. “We believe these student-athletes will be successful on and off the mat. If they give their best effort, have a great attitude and make good life decisions, this class can have a huge impact on George Mason University.” The 10 student-athletes joining the 2012-13 roster will be Jake Kettler (Ramsey, MN/Anoka HS), Sahid Kargbo (Alexandria, VA/Hayfield HS), Matt Meadows (Medina, OH/ Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy), Ryan Forrest (Reston, VA/South Lakes HS), David Chenevey (Clifton, VA/Centreville HS), Robert Dooley (Vienna, VA/Madison HS), Luke Ludke (Clayton, NC/Clayton HS), Nikolas Weiser (Avino, Italy), Albert O’Bryant III (Macon, GA/Cushing Academy), Logan Ritchie (Stafford,VA/Brooke Point HS). Sophomore Jake Kettler, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, earned a 14-7 record as a freshman at the University of Minnesota as a back-up to NCAA Champion Tony Nelson. He was the 2009 Heavyweight Minnesota State High School Champion out of Anoka High School. He also was a 2012 USA Olympic Final Trials Qualifier. Two incoming freshman have signed a National Letters of Intent (NLI), Sahid Kargbo and Matt Meadows. Kargbo wrestled at nearby Hayfield HS and finished 3rd in the 2012 AAA State Tournament. He also finished 3rd in the 2012 Jr. National Greco-Roman Championship and is a 2011 FILA Cadet Greco-Roman All-American. His expected weight class is 141. Meadows is the 2012 Ohio State High School Champion and three-time Ohio State placer from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy. He is a nationally ranked high school wrestler and finished 2nd in 2011 Flo-Nationals at 220 pounds. He is expected to wrestle at 197 pounds. Eight wrestlers have signed Acceptance of Admissions, including four from Virginia. Robert Dooley was a top wrestler in his weight class in the state of Virginia from Madison High School, finishing fifth in 2011 and runner-up in the 2012 AAA State Championship. Ryan Forrest from South Lakes has two top three finishes, including a second and third place at 160. David Chenevey placed sixth in the AAA Virginia State tournament and wrestler at nearby Centreville High School. Logan Ritchie from Brooke Point, VA will wrestle at 125. The Patriots recruiting went outside the Virginia borders as well. A native of Clayton, NC, Luke Ludke, is a four-time NC state placer, finishing 9th, 2nd, 5th, 4th respectively in his four years at Clayton High School. He is the winningest wrestler in school history and is expected to wrestle at the 133 weight class. Albert O’Bryant III is from Macon, Georgia and a graduate of Cushing Academy. He is expected to wrestle at 174 pounds for the Green and Gold. The Patriots also welcome Nikolas Weiser from Avino, Italy. He finished first in the 2011 DODDS European Championships and 2nd in the 2012 DODDS European Championships He is expected to wrestle at 141 pounds.