I also did not understand why he was just dropping in on his right side single leg stretched out like that. No way you are pulling that leg in on Sadulaev. Easy to arm chair QB the match but perhaps he just could win the hand fight to get in the positions he wanted. Sadulaev looks in shape and explosive.
Takahashi was definitely the better wrestler. The approach this Japanese wrestler took of timing out Mitchells upright forward pressure and just dropping in on shots really did make it look easier. I have always thought that is something that could be exploited in Mess's style but no one in the NCAA has been able to come close to doing what this gent did to Mess. Tak must have some very good handfighting and positioning. I will have to go back and rewatch.
One thing that is for certain is that we will not be able to use pace to beat Japanese opponents. They can match our pace. I thought Mess looked like he has filled out a little bit.
The first period of the match was kind of weird. Mess is in on a shot looking to score and tie the match and then he hurts his knee. Then after that they are wrestling and they hit mess for a penalty point and I am not sure what for. Takahashi was able to time Mess's forward pressure and drop in on what looked like easy double legs.
A lot has transpired since Swid and Mendez last wrestled lol. Like Jesse Mendez winning an NCAA title and being an absolute hammer. I am not sure that Swid and Mendez have the same level of commitment year round to being the best in the world at wrestling.
Contender to AA or title contender? I don't see him in the Mendez/Alirez/Barlett tier. I think he would be a tier 2 or 3 guy that would be a contender to AA.