Interviewed_at_Weehawken

Out of coaching, I believe.

He now admits to sucking massive weight and a horrible diet.

For those unaware, Sidakov has an established personal relationship with Illini Director of Wrestling Operations Bryan Medlin and his family going back many years. Also, Medin pronounces "Sidakov" different than every other American. My guess is that he says it correctly.

I'm sure that the "Friendship Games" (ridiculous name) will have fair officiating and doping controls.

I remember there was even discussion of Japan and Germany sending assistance of sorts. BUt yeah, you don't get kicked out of the Olympics if you have assembled a coalition of dozens and dozens before your military action.

The difference was that by the time of the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan (justified or not), the US had their ducks in a row. They built an international coalition to support the invasions. Russia had... Belarus. Yes, China, Iran NK, have come into the fold, but that took a bit of time. At the beginning, even Switzerland opposed the invasion!

Like SVN? Cassar? Kyle Conel? etc

Good point!

Proven to be the third best in the five (6) team ACC.

She won worlds in 2022. I think she was done after that.

Zain is wrestling for the US in August, and I will be rooting for him.

This is what I was responding to @Pinnacle.

See above...

I literally said Zain was more proven than Metcalf! This was in response to someone else's post. How did Yianni get into this? LOL No crap! They both have medals! Clearly more accomplished. But why harp on the juniors thing? Who cares? The guy wrestled in a senior event and lost. Still a loss.

Bro... I was literally giving Zain a compliment in saying that he is savvier than Metcalf was. Someone else compared him to Metcalf, and I was saying that Zain is better... had more savvy. I did mention that he managed to beat Sidakov who is one of the savvier Russians going. He hadn't achieved his greatness yet, but he was still pretty darned good, winning two of the world's toughest tourneys a year later. You see any perceived slight against any PSU/NLWC wrestler and you immediately need to come to the rescue. Why is that?

Sidakov won Russian Nationals and Yarygin in 2016. (and the point was that neither Dake nor Burroughs was making 65 kg in good enough shape to beat Sidakov in 2015)

Where did I say that? You imply that Mesenbrink's win over Lockett doesn't count. Wins over junior eligible competitors don't count in the pinnacle-verse. Do wins by junior eligible competitor's count? Did Mirasola not actually take Brooks down? Not in the Pinnacle-verse! News flash: If they take the line in a senior event... it counts. Also: Dake and Burroughs were not beating junior Sidakov at 65kg in 2015. Sorry. Why are some of these spoiled PSU/NLWC fans so sensitive?

Kobe Siebrecht?

Metcalf beat Sidakov 5-1 in 2015. The next year, Sidakov won Yarygin and Russian nationals. Sidakov may have been a junior, but who knows how old he actually was? He toed the line vs. Metcalf and doesn't need your excuses. Regardless, he was on the cusp of greatness, and that was his only loss vs the US.

Getting wrongfully let go to make room for Seth Gross?

197: Carol

He did his sprints with the DB groups while in college.

A logjam of Ferraris.

Zain- more proven than Metcalf (although Metcalf has the win over Sidakov, the savviest of all Russians) Brooks will have a tough go vs. the Yaz we just saw. Snyder will be fortunate to get a bronze if some approximations of 2022 Saduleev and 2023 Taz show up. Spencer- I'm hoping! Parris- The finals is a very real possibility. Once he's there, does he have Zare's kryptonite? I certainly see a bronze for him. Dake- I can't see more than silver based on the recent past. Maybe bronze depending on how stuff lines up. But I am hoping for six golds and plan on watching every match!

And the underhook ability. Nothing like learning from a club coach.