Wrasslin

Tangentially (sort of), I can't help but think the ultimate hold back is Keith Richards (no, not that Keith Richards). Keith Richards won a state title as a junior in Oklahoma in 1991. He moved to CA for his senior year where he would lose in the finals at sections (tournament before state) to Casey Strand (anybody remember him? 2x AA for Arizona St). Anyway, Keith got his revenge two weeks later at state by beating Strand in the finals and winning a state championship in CA too as a senior, at the tender age of 17. He was then held back before entering college for 15 years, before finally enrolling in 2006 at Central Oklahoma (and wrestling) at the held-back age of 32. By that time, he had definitely matured. Keith Richards - Wrestling - University of Central Oklahoma Athletics

Breakdown is great- thank you! Are you going to do an Iran/USA one too? Here's what I'm thinking: 57kg - Mongush (from southern Siberia- I call him Nacho Mongoose) has steadily ascended but Spencer too much horsepower. As an aside, it is mindboggling how big Russia (still) is. 1-0 USA 61kg - I'm picking Arujao (over both Forrest and Aguev). If Forrest beats Arujao, I think Aguev beats Forrest- too much experience and I'm a sucker for a super duck. 2-0 USA (Arujao), 1-1 (Forrest) 65kg - Mamedov is very good...too good. Real's benefit of being unknown internationally doesn't help him here. 2-1 USA (Arujao), 1-2 Russia (Forrest) 70kg - This is Baev's weight until someone beats him. Not PJ Duke this time around. 2-2 (Arujao), 1-3 Russia (Forrest) 74kg - I heard Sidakov was going to miss, but he looks just fine on social media; I expect him to wrestle. Russia has lost so many good guys at this weight to other countries, but no matter who they send, likely still beat Carr. His match with Salkazanov was telling as to where he's at internationally (although I'm still picking him for Bronze). 2-3 Russia (Arujao), 1-4 Russia (Forrest). 79kg - Haines has gotten a lot better and might surprise someone, but it won't be Usmanov 2-4 Russia (Arujao), 1-5 (Forrest). 86kg - Zahid's always good for 2 TDs (and apparently a turn if he transitions from a TD) per match. I think the Russians are high on Kadiev for good reason, but this is Zahid's weight to lose. 3-4 Russia (Arujao), 2-5 (Forrest). 92kg - I think Russia sends Bagaev. Trent is a very sneaky edge of mat wrestler- low center of gravity, neutralizes opponents with his underhook and his pressure will be the difference in 2nd period. 4-4 (Arujao), 3-5 (Forrest) 97kg - I've typed too much already- Sadulaev 4-5 Russia (Arujao), 3-6 Russia (Forrest) 125kg - I don't know who RUS sends here- it's kryptonite and crazy they haven't developed a good heavyweight in a decade. Hendrickson wins. 5-5 (Arujao), 4-6 Russia (Forrest). That settled nothing for me! haha!

If true, this actually makes sense to me- I see it as a net benefit for both guys.

Happy Father's Day! This is what my son got me (he's 11)- it's awesome! A little book with 50 pages of things. Page 3 on the list below! How cool is that!!!

Thanks jross! I'm big on ideas- not so much on execution! This was a test run. Initially I thought about putting those under the blanks but then I realized I don't know the difference between nouns, verbs, adjectives, pronouns, prepositions, etc. Thanks for the feedback! I'll refine it!

Fine, I'll go first . . .

Try it out- can use unlimited words in blanks. . .post your responses below.

Ha! Bro, seriously? Better wrestling happens any given Saturday at any random local Jr. High tournament. The only way I'd watch this is if they both got super drunk first- at least they'd both have a reason for sucking and I'd have a reason for watching!

No, Levi Haines also doesn't have a world medal- he placed 7th at 2021 Cadet Worlds (U17). Unfortunately, I do not expect this to change after this upcoming Worlds. Although you never know- a combination of a favorable draw (happens) and year after an Olympic year and one of these guys (or both) could end up medaling.

I'm right there with you on Sanchez- as of right now, he's my 2028 PFP #1. Teched and pinned his way to an undefeated CA State title, reigning Cadet World Champ, qualified again as our Cadet rep without resistance. @113lbs, Flo has him at #3 behind another CA kid, Paul Ruiz #1 (another 2028'er) although I don't understand why. Paul Ruiz lost in the state finals, so that...Also behind Cameron Sontz (#2) who's a 2027'er). Again, not sure why? They actually wrestled in 2022 at 35kg lol!! (long enough back that it doesn't count), and Sanchez won handily. I don't think much has changed since then. Sanchez still beats him. Justus Heeg, too! Dude put a photo on his Insta where he's like, 7 years old and all buff...crazy! I don't pay for Rokfin, so if someone wants to screenshot the Big Board here, I wouldn't be upset!

Dude's got a cool name. . . even better than he can wrestle a little too!

It would be great to get rid of the challenge brick, or if necessary, limit review time. I understand the importance of getting the right call made, but it's a killer as it is right now. Also, I understand it's Real American Freestyle, but it'd be cool to mix in some foreign stars. Additionally, the market in some of these countries for PPV or whatever is massive. Money talks, both to get the foreign wrestlers and the international audience. Finally, to appeal to a broad audience (other than folks on here, who would watch anyway regardless), I think you have to have storylines. Casual fans need to feel connected and invested in the wrestlers, and if RAF believes in their mission statement (on their website) to, "create a platform for elite athletes to compete in front of millions of fans," that doesn't happen is a peripheral sport like wrestling unless there are storylines.

Yes, true. But I think Gaines is arguing that they shouldn't be competing against each other, period.

Dude, I kinda felt bad a little for Biles' husband. You know that dude had to listen to her talk about it for like, 4 days straight. Poor guy couldn't even escape off to work 'cause you know he was getting $hit in the Chicago locker room too!

Not stupid, but I agree there are not enough athletes (yet). World Aquatics tried it by creating an "OPEN" division for the Swimming World Cup in 2023, but it was scrapped because nobody entered. I wasn't completely disparaged by what CA did for track this year. They let everyone compete together, gave medals to AB Hernandez (trans) where she placed, and then pretended she didn't compete at all and gave additional medals to the other girls where they placed would Hernandez not have been there. I didn't think that was totally egregious.

Ask and you shall receive in abundance! Now go forward, Child, and spread the good news!

Alright! Back today with a whole new set of reactions!!!! Who wants one?!

you could run out of reactions? It's 9:54am here PST and my day is finished . . . sorry to those of you who deserve a reaction- it won't be coming from me!

A very good question!! USAW transgender policy statement has been deleted online. Latest from 2024 (below), where they defer to IOC (International Olympic Committee) Policy (which, conveniently, is fluid and ambiguous) and UWW (United World Wrestling) transgender policy which is more straight forward: uww_transgender_policy_-_final.pdf

I was kidding (sort of), but I've heard rumblings from "my guy" Will from Canada- it makes sense- Canada seems right, doesn't it? Any transgender wrestler to qualify from Canada will have to be pretty good though- their women's team is no joke!

Panties or underwear (boxer briefs)? That's kinda the whole crux of this whole thread?

easy. It's the same as a "high c" (high crotch), but you grab their tit instead (high tit), hence "high t"

How dare you call me fat!!!!

has gotten me wondering. . . Do we ever see a transgender wrestler compete in Worlds or Olympics? Is not being able to compete as a transgender wrestler (in college and high school to a certain extent) a deterrent in USA? Is this yet another reason Muslim wrestling countries/areas think western countries are completely insane? Which country produces first transgender wrestler to compete at world championships/Olympics (or even continental championships) and when? (Answer: It's Canada, obviously! and probably sooner than I think). Discuss . . .

so, remember the 2019 Sr Nationals Olympic qualifiers in Texas? Erik Hinkley (male version of Eve Berrington) wrestled Collin Moore and gets destroyed because he had no business being there (video below). My bro and I were in the stands making fun of him (as we should). Turns out, his daughter was sitting in the next row down and turns to us (after he got teched in less than a minute), tells us that she is his daughter, starts chastising us, and say's that it doesn't matter because he's having fun! I told her, "I've done a lot of losing in wrestling and it's not fun; neither is looking old and fat in a singlet!" True story.