AnklePicker

Well the best wrestling country implies all of its people to me. Is Japan the best wrestling country in the world because they won senior worlds one year? We have an easy way to quantify it from U16 on up since there’s a world championship held at those levels.

I figure an average from U17, U20, U23 and seniors is the best measure.

That Japanese dude was bullying guys earlier in the tournament. Not with Luke, in fact Luke not only didn’t give ground he wore him out! His finishes are concise and quick. He wrestled very smart in that world final. Fought just enough defensively and knew when to bail. He’s deceptively good. Making NJ very proud!

I respect GR but I tend to agree. I’ve always thought Greco would make a lot more sense if you were ONLY able to touch the legs in freestyle but in freestyle you can do BOTH. It’s a way more viable and practically applicable martial art/sport.

I’ll take Jax.

I was there that night for that match. That world championships was great. Iranians well represented in the stands, Cormier shoving dudes, Cael Sajidov, Cuban studs. MSG. Loved it.

Would be interesting to know what really happened to Saitiev. Even on his Wikipedia page the official word is he was sick and in and out of the hospital but his wife and witnesses claimed he fell out of a window? Such a damn shame either way. My favorite wrestler ever.

We have never come close to this level of success at the lower levels since I’ve been following. We’d have a junior world champ here and there. 5 in one freaking year?!

Are we currently the best wrestling country in the world? I guess it’s yet to be determined until after U23s and seniors but we just might be.

And can we stop with the 6 weight nonsense? 10 weights please. The change from worlds to Olympics adds some intrigue at the qualification level but it also leaves so many deserving athletes watching from home.

And traditionally a weight where we struggle to medal. That is some scary depth wow. Speaking of Nick Lee is he retired?

Kazakhstan is having a very nice tournament. Both Mirasolas lost to one and the kid at 61 looks phenomenal. Well ahead of Iran and Japan and not far off USA after day 2.

We’ve been getting killed with that lace where their head is right under your crotch. Knox and Lockett in particular.

There may be a gap right now but Jayden seems physically immature compared to those guys. The old eye test tells me the sky is the limit for this kid.

I haven’t seen all of the matches but my god Sammy Sanchez and Jayden James are damn good. I hadn’t seen Sanchez much but that kid is quick and very impressive. James just seems so fluid and smooth. Love watching him.

If I see a ref on the mat looking up at a ref sitting behind a table 20 feet away to confirm a fall I’m turning the channel. I like the no amplitude idea. Does simplify it quite a bit. We need some connection with the athletes. The UFC didn’t take off until the ultimate fighter show. Training videos and interviews. It’s hard to root for someone you know nothing about. I’d stay away from an emcee announcing bouts. They often come across as cringey. If you have one at least hire a pro and keep it simple.

Hospital infections kill more people than car accidents and breast cancer combined.

Blah blah blah. It’s lame as hell that PSU isn’t going and you know it as well as everyone else.

So what, they are trying to create an event. It’s a national duals. Would be nice if everyone showed up.

Love Cael, but it’s lame as hell not to do this event when everyone else is. So lame.

It’s a little strange. If you know you’re going to get a suspension if you don’t comply, why not just tell them you’re retired? If you aren’t retired now you’re screwed anyway.

You have high schoolers faring very well at the world team trials, why wouldn’t AJ and Angelo give it a go? Do they do freestyle?

It makes it much worse for me. Add on to it his religious fervor…it’s a big time smh moment.

Yeah lost to Mendoza too. I don’t follow every result. They wrestled a close match more recently I think. May have been freestyle. I still like his chances better in folkstyle and stand by my prediction.

Love Vega. Reminds me of Saitiev, RIP. But he loves to scramble and funk and in freestyle that’s not as effective. I’ll take Bassett in freestyle but in folk I’d pick Vega.