Literally just told our HS coach last night during a summer workout they we needed to get the kids doing a Persian Clubs workout like the Iron Sheik.
One things for sure the dude didn’t lack in charisma and had no filter. RIP Sheikie.
As this thread slows down hopefully someone notices and is able to sort this by event or person and add it to the Legends of the Mat forum. These type of stories that his what led to its original creation on the mat.com and definitely belong there.
While the guys that placed were top world guys this definitely helped a few ensure a more favorable World draw so they got over the hump and now receive the Final X bye.
Id be good with a system that just Bye’s the world medalist to the semi’s of whatever they decide the world trials tournament would be as the 1 seed. That still a solid reward but make you compete at least twice to prove you are still the guy.
Not sure this is the best answer but when you immigrate to the states the name you proved sometimes doesn’t translate well from your native language. You tend to accept what the immigration official will allow you to proceed. Miron Kkarchilava to Carson Kharchla would be a similar example. The last names endings especially get “lost in translation.”
Not to disparage him because he’s proven to be one hell of a wrestler as an underclassman, but he did get the bonus year of the tournament though where he was 3rd. And he could easily take a year off to try a qualify for the Olympics. So I’d say he may end up a 25yo senior who is not too far off from that description.