Truzzcat

I heard he is repping a different country so maybe getting that transitioned over? Most of the hype is based on him being a 3x u23 medalist and only losing to the champ each year, I think. Although Bagaev is really the only win of note he has in those tournaments. However Bagaev is a 2x age level world champ and beat Mike mach 8-0 so that is definitely a decent win to hang your hat on. I think Arslan was the one that controversially lost to Sadulaev in the wrestle off Alan is the one that cardenas beat but someone would need to fact check me on that.

I was kind of assuming it would be consiglio vs Parco. Consiglio just seems huge for 141 to me but I agree if that is the matchup its a really good one.

The failed test occurred after his medal so I don't believe it will unless they go back and retest all his samples and find something. It definitely sets us back quite a bit at 97kg. Trent is probably the front runner now for 2028 I am not sure if I see Radamacher being ready to be a medal threat by 2028 and I don't know if Mcenelly will be big enough.

NATO vs Ramos: I think this is a very competitive match that largely hinges upon if we get the Ramos that trusts himself or the version that is a bit more passive. I also think there is a chance that freestyle is Ramos's better style. That being said I am going with NATO I think he is a bit bigger and I liked what I saw in him beating nico and going 2-1 with Blaze at the open. Woods vs Caldwell: I do not think this match is very close. Darian is older and has presumably been off the mat exclusively for a good bit of time, I am not aware if he got back into coaching after MMA but I want to assume this match is no problem for Real. If it is then we need to really temper our expectations for worlds. I could see Caldwell giving him something to worry about on their feet but I think one takedown and real ends it on top. Also not sure how long its been since Darian felt a head pinch like real has but I could see that being a big factor as well Ill go real by tech. Hildebrandt vs Hernandez: Hernandez has a pretty impressive age level resume but I don't think she is going to have any answers for Sarah even with Sarah being off the mat. Dake vs Hamiti: This one is really fun. I think Kyle is a bit bigger for the time being and really struggle to see how he finishes on kyle. He is absolutely going to need to get Dakes foot off the mat or he is going to go for a ride. I think Dean needs at least two takedowns here and I just do not see how he gets two. Kyle was an absolute mat general against a much bigger PK and I see a lot of the same going on here. Wick vs Nolf: Another very fun one. I firmly believe Nolf would have been our guy had he gone this year at 79kg and I think I may have still picked him even if he just entered the open and started training from there. He is still doing his instructional's and coaching and while BJJ is not even close to a 1 for 1 to wrestling he is still rolling and probably has a bit of a different feel than he had before. I would not be entirely shocked if Wick won this but I would also not be shocked if Nolf techs him, going with Nolf. Palmer vs Gomez: These guys have been chirping a bit online and for that reason I am anticipating Gomez not f'ing around and going out and smoking Lance. Lance was an incredible collegiate wrestler but I am not sure if he wrestled much Freestyle and I think Gomez is going to medal this year. Think this may be the most lop sided match on the card, Gomez by tech. Yianni vs Bajarang: Two of my favorite wrestlers to watch ever. Their first match was Yianni's coming out party to the international scene, and there second match Yianni beat the breaks off of him. I think with Yiannis heart now under control + him being more a true size for the weight and Bajrangs inactivity this match is far closer to their last encounter than their first. Yianni by tech. Kennedy vs Rivera: Rivera got 5th at pan ams in 2024 and did not wrestle an american, thats all I really need to know about this one, Kennedy by tech. Wyatt vs Elders: I really like this matchup for wyatt because Elders is a bit smaller and more athletic similarly to how Trent was. I think Wyatt will do well with the bigger guys at worlds besides maybe Zare, the Munkturs and shapirovs worry me a bit more but this will be a great indicator on how Wyatt is moving and a good warm up for him. Wyatt by tech Nickal vs Cardenas: This match is awesome and I am glad Bo did not get a layup first match back. I expect Cardenas to be the bigger guy here, but I do not think size will be super relevant. It does seem like while Bo has obviously been focusing on MMA he still is on the mat a lot. I just wonder where his timing is at and Cardenas has always been better at freestyle. Basch made the argument that he feels to beat Bo you need to be a medal contender this year and while I am not sure I would go that far, Cardenas had a relatively competitive match with Firouzpour who is probably the on paper favorite at 92 so I dont think its a stretch that Cardenas could have medal'd this year. Going with Cardenas in a close one.

I've seen compilations of him at the 21 trials when I believe he was 21 years old vs him in 2024 and for a guy that claims he does not lift he got BEEFY. Not doubting he has extremely blessed genetics but that kind of visible change from 21 to 24 without touching weights is pretty nuts.

Just wegmans DHEA source: Trus me bro

Saw he would be eligible to come back right before 2028 trials. Stipulations could be that he cannot train with a USA affiliated club until his suspension is over though which seems big.

If Hopke is 70% of the prospect, we all thought he was prior to the injury I do not think this is overly competitive.

Me thinks a 3-year ban warrants more than it just being an oopsie at Wegmans.

off the top of my head Mirasola vs Barr Kasak vs PJ Van Dee vs Ayoub Robideau vs Teague EJ parco vs Jack consiglio Dillon Campbell vs Aaron seidel whoever goes 149 for iowa state

I think Aidan is great dealt with a knee issue during post season last year but had two wins over Guenot when healthy, I also think he is starting to mature physically but I was also surprised because when watching it, it was not super competitive.

Really excited to see what Stanich's teammate Rozynski does this year. 157 is going to be nails but he was not a guy I was super high on coming out of high school I think he made huge strides last year and if he does so similarly this year I think he could find himself on the podium.

170: Randal Reed (8th grade) beats Liam Costa 8-2

If lehigh thinks their lineup is better with Bailey in over griffin I could see Luke going 149 and Bailey going 141.

are you sure that was not his brother ethan?

oh no I was not trying to say anything against you I agree at times he will get out of control and snaps guys into his legs more of just a general statement at how unprecedented this crop of kids is.

182: Conrad Pensiero beats Budder Manley 14-4

152: Emory Gunby beats Jonah erdely 4-1

145: Aidan Kunes beats Collier Hartman 7-0

Persian sports made a really cool post about the average age for the 4 power house nations at worlds, I did not realize how young Irans team is this year. Average age 24.0 Usa was 24.3 Japan was 23.6 Russia was 26.2.

160: Jackson butler beats Teeg Sanderson 14-3 132: Liam Montgomery beats Austin Carfley 3-1 113: Tyler Sage beats Gabe Oberheim 3-2 138: Matthew Almendia beats Jack silfies 11-1 138: Tyler Ulmer beats Haydyn Strittmatter 2-1 will update after finals

Crookhams best offensive attack is that misdirect to a head inside single. With Marcus's stance and how far back he keeps his legs I just dont know how he ever generates his own offense, and Marcus is so selective with his attacks and always finishes around the corner it just to me seems like a really hard stylistic match up for Crookham.

conceptually its hard for me to grasp that Jayden is going to wrestle an event at 150 and his twin brother is going to make 121 3 weeks before that.

1st period tech is pretty impressive against Rivera. I think he is more of a folk guy but he made the round of 16 this year. Stuff like that really puts into perspective how good these kids are. People like to get on Bo because he may not be quite as good as Jax/PJ/Marcus but any other time period if you said a kid about to start his senior year of high school just teched a round of 16 guy in a minute 40 seconds you would think he was the second coming.

did Bassett have eligh rivera in the finals?