wrestlingshoe

It is like a champion boxer who comes back to the ring again and again, even when they get hit more often each time. The way JB lost to the Iranian it is clear that he should have hung it up after his last world title if he wanted a heroes exit. When he shot for a double and the Iranian easily threw him by, I grimaced because that is not how I wanted to remember him going out. I don't know if he thought he really had a chance at "all I see is gold" or even a medal, but if he is okay with wrestling with "a chance" at a medal that is his choice. He did have a chance if the Iranian didn't brain fart at the end of his semi finals. It is difficult to swallow... you were the best for many years and now... each day makes each movement just a bit more difficult, each reaction a bit slower.

I'm guess it was just difficult to swallow, no medal. Looked like DT had a nice exchange with the coach afterwards. If you lined the final six wrestlers up in order of actual ability, it would be Sad, DT, Ghas, then the others. Wish they would go back to the old top 3 double elim for worlds.

Wondering how DT would have done if he beat Ghas first and then wrestled Sad. DT was much more conservative at the beginning of bronze match. I think that would have helped in the Sad match. Maybe too offensive against Sad early? Once you are forced to attacked Sad you are leaving yourself open to his patented chest lock and go behind.

Love Ono's gut. Total commitment.

Think how Iran feels right now with their last second brain farts at 79 and 92. We were hopeful of our retirees doing well, but it's got to sting worse to be that close and and let it slip away, twice.

We are about to find out how special the JB era was. Sparking the the US in 2011 and performing at a high level for almost 10 years. And then the 4-5 other studs that came in and lasted almost two cycles. Here's to hoping we find another spark.

I've always thought MM would need to clean up his game as he got to the highest levels. His high rate of attack and constant movement helps him get away with a lot of out of position wrestling. As he enters the senior level his high stance and hand placement will be exploited unless he tightens up.

If this was NBA or NFL people would love it or love to hate it... The wrestling community is small and intimate, that is what makes it seem so personal (to the athlete and the fan). JB has done wonders for the sport, uses whatever he wants to drive him to his next feat, and now has a shot at another world gold.

Gotta love the Subway ad that shrinks the screen and turns the entire edge green.

Thanks for letting us know. I'm getting two pop ups every time I go to a new screen that gets in the way.

Bikes is the most decorated gymnast of all time, 11 Olympic and 30 World medals.

I'd pay to be that short and that good.

Tsargush's only win against JB was when JB was hobbled.

If you've never been to the Olympics, you may never understand. The aura is totally different. It can't be matched in any other arena.

The athletes that accepted my not even be in Russia. Most Russian Tennis players train outside Russia anyways, (especially since the war) so maybe the others are doing the same.

When you go to the Olympics you have a chance to take in the Olympic atmosphere outside of wrestling. The Olympics is more than just wrestling. If I could only do one, Olympics, no doubt.

He has to remember his own adivce... control what you can control.

I don't necessarily think it is Burrows. I think he is still salty about the entire situation and how Burrows benefitted from sitting out. Earlier in the interview he mentioned wrestling the tournament and then wrestling Jordan, and he repeated that statement three times in a row. While he may not be a fan of Jordan's, if he was able to face him without the mini-tournaments, he may feel different. I'm sure he feels that he would have been the 74 rep early in his career if that were the case.

In tennis, they do not put an asterisk next to a player's name when they win a grand slam after a top player does not participate or withdraws. In fact, this year's women's Wimbledon has had a few top players drop out because of injury and they are not talking about the diminished field of entrants. They are taking about how it shakes up the field. The same with the men, even though Federer and Nadal are no longer in the field, they are not diminishing the new champions accomplishments. You can only compete against who shows up. And, maybe we need to consider the fact that we may be in the course of overtaking Russia, for whatever reason. US depth at every weight is much improved over the last few years. Just look at 57. We have four Americans representing four countries and have a couple world and Olympic medals sitting at home.

Exciting...

To be honest, I sped threw the interview because I have a hard time listening to Brooks and I don't know Basch, but in the short few minutes I watched it seeped like Basch likes the idea he can rub elbows with the greats and he like to name drop.

Smith, "This program is a good hands. I want him to be a better Coach than I was..." Classic. What a way to pass the torch. That statement should go down in history.

If you listened to the press conference, sounds like he has made peace with the loss and has moved on. I'm guessing he knew there was a chance he wouldn't make it and deep down knew he wasn't as prepared as he should be. When match two was over, he looked disappointed, but not surprised. The stars aligned and he is where he needs to be and where wrestling needs him to be.

If you want to associate yourself with that type of humor I guess you're entitled.

Got it. And I'll add (hopefully not sounding preachy). Mathew 6:6 "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."