BuckyBadger

Yeah, that wasn’t lost on me, and it’s always a possibility.

Ahh, yes. Boltukaev. But Bolt was tearing it up domestically for a while before he got the nod in 2014. Admittedly, I’m not as up to speed on some of the young up and comers internationally, but was completely unaware of Tazhudinov.

Complete surprise to see him dismantle both Snyder and Sadulaev back to back. Was anyone aware of this guy and that he was this good coming into this tournament?

That’s a nice way of putting it.

I watch the tournaments from time to time. If you get the NHK app on Roku or whatever streaming service you use they show each days matches. It’s free. When I was watching more frequently Hakuho was dominating, but he might be retired now?

Durlacher didn’t rep Israel, he repped the US and medaled at Worlds in 06. In general you are correct, it’s not hard to rep Israel if you have a Jewish grandparent. But I don’t think it has happened too often with Americans. I believe Evan Bernstein (Ophir Bernsteins father) wrestled for them at the 88 Olympics after wrestling in college here.

Clearly the Holy Spirit wanted him to take 2nd at 86 kg.

@Radik of themat.com forums Are the guys from Moscow actually from Moscow or are they from southern Russia (Dagestan, Ossetia etc) and just based now in Moscow?

Maybe his ultimate goal is MMA, but I wouldn’t discount his goal of Olympic gold. And it would not surprise me to see him contend if he dedicates himself to freestyle.

Ha, only if they don’t get torched going through Ukraine first.

Yes

Russians, yes it happens a lot. But for Americans, I don’t recall a guy who has a good shot at being the US rep going to another country. As good as Anine and Micic are, neither of them had much of a chance to make the US World or Olympic teams.

Agreed, and I understand it. It’s just that usually you don’t see it happen with a guy of his pedigree.

Surprised at this. RBY is a guy who I thought soon could be the top guy on the US team and a medal threat. Usually the guys that rep another country are lower on the ladder. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him beat the US guy, whoever it is.

Nice pickup for the Badgers, welcome Zan!

Koll is great, but he’d do it too if he could.

It sounds like you just want to see some drama. If that’s the case, then yeah, pushing more of the religious stuff will get you what you want.

If you think what I’m criticizing is the accuracy of Brook’s comments , or that one religious point of view is more or less valid than another then you miss the point.

Actually he said “my undertook comes from the Holy Spirit, so it’s a little different from Yazdani’s”. When Pyles asked him again he said “God gave me these under hooks. I don’t know who gave those to Yazdani, maybe a club coach, um a long time friend”. He’s is pretty clearly insinuating that Yazdani’s beliefs are inferior. Most people think Starocci is the cocky one who opens his mouth too much. But Brooks is much worse because he presents himself as pious and humble but then throws these underhanded insults, constantly bringing up his faith and making sure everyone knows that he thinks other beliefs are beneath his. At least Starocci keeps it about competition.

That was a great show. I remember watching the episode with Gholar.

I thought we are posting best, not worst wrestling stories.

@LJB I generally agree with you that Greco is just not well understood and very under appreciated for its nuances and complexity in this country. But I probably differ in that most high level Greco guys will get schooled in Freestyle in the same way you describe Freestyle guys getting schooled in Greco. You might say that the physicality and brutality of Greco is at another level, but there is a trade off. There are so many more ways to get exposure in freestyle. It emphasizes a different skill set. They are simply different sports. Not an apples to apples comparison.

2011 silver was to Kayaalp and when the tournament was in Istanbul. Hmmm, nothing suspicious there.

A vein just burst in Kayaalp He’s got to be up there as one of the best to never win Olympic gold.

As others have said this is probably a best case type of scenario. While next years team could be decent to good, what’s concerning is what happens after? Things seem to be moving in the wrong direction. Rowley was a really good recruit and is transferring out. Two other future recruits from California just flipped (to Iowa and North Carolina). Maybe most concerning is Bono can’t get any of the top recruits in state, and Wisconsin has been putting out a number of very good recruits recently.