Reality Check

Two things I will predict. Marcus Blaze wins it all, Spencer Lee does not and likely DNP. Blaze- I think people actually underestimate how good the “fab four” at 133 are. Did you ever have even the slightest doubt that Seidel and Davino would come back with gold? They are good enough to send Arajau packing to 65 kg and if he was there, I swear to god he’s 5th on the ladder. In freestyle, Blaze has show himself to be the best of this amazing group. Data point. As a 17 year old he beat Fix (who was a world silver medalist), Graff and Nashon, then pushed Vito to the wire. You’ve got to assume he’s markedly better than then, and making the team at this weight validates that. I know Uguev has been on a tear lately but he’s getting long in the tooth for a lightweight and remember, it wasn’t that long ago that Ono spanked him and Arajau beat him as well. I realize he blasted Jax last year but he’s a terrible style matchup and I bet one year later and a different match and it looks a lot different. Wrestlers can hit the wall pretty suddenly- DT for instance looked untouchable in 2023 and looked much more human at the 2024 trials. Blaze is hungry and has something to prove following his disappointing NCAAs. He’s coming home with Gold. Spencer is the most talented in a very weak field, if there is such a thing at Worlds- but can’t get out of his own head. Other thoughts Don’t sleep on Dake. He’s the master of freestyle tactics and due for a breakdown performance at 86 kg. The weight is tougher than it’s been in years. Love the way Snyder is wrestling. Everyone acts like he won against Sad because of injury and while that is technically true, for the first time since and maybe including their 2017 match he looked like the better wrestler to my “eye test”. Haines may be the most likely wrestler to come back with Gold. Or he might DNP and maybe last year was a total aberration. I know he’s damn near impossible to take down and guys like that tend to do well. Still a young man getting better. Would love for James Green to be the feel good story of 2026 but I don’t see it. Zane has so much tenacity and always surprises you. I’ll say Bronze. Hendrickson is my other surprise pick for a medal. Not Gold, but Silver or Bronze. A senseless prediction I realize. Basset can medal with the right draw. Do not let recency bias convince you otherwise he’s an animal. I know these are very optimistic predictions. This team is much better than people realize.

If by “slow start” you mean “has sucked for the last 70 years” I’m in full agreement.

You come up short in both wit and reproductive appendage.

Forkemaz you’ve got two brain cells and they are currently at war with each other.