CHROMEBIRD

Where was this discussion when JB, DT, Dake, Snyder, Gable, Gilman, Green, Yianni, Cox, etc. were bringing home international medals? Call me a cynic, but I don't think it makes any difference whether the NCAA adopts free or folk. Imo, the US Men's Soccer team is a pretty good analogue for US MFS. Fans used to say that our soccer team wasn't successful at the Olympics and World Cup because we had insufficient youth development and didn't play an "international style" to compete with Euro & LATAM teams. Well, that's been fixed for a few generations now and US Men's Soccer still doesn't get the results, so now we cast blame at our coaching, the officiating, media coverage, VAR, travel, everything else. It's easy to imagine the same thing happening to USA Wrestling if we change to freestyle, as if it was some sort of panacea, and don't dominate the medal table. Maybe, like soccer, it's just a highly developed sport globally with a lot of parity at the highest level? Re-wrestle the same Olympics brackets and no one would be surprised if we took 0 or 5 golds in MFS.

Outstanding

Don't confuse citizenship with sports nationality. They're typically the same for most athletes, but are actually two different things. IIRC the UWW wrote up rules specific to wrestlers from Russia/Belarus who wanted to compete under AIN or another country during the sanctions, but the general requirements for changing athletic nationalities is along the lines of: file with the UWW for a transfer only during the month of December minimum 3 year window during which you can't represent your former country at the Olympics, Worlds, Continentals, or UWW Ranking Series events approval for your release from your former country's national federation approval for your transfer-in from your new country's national federation development compensation fee paid from your new country's national federation to your former country's national federation (if applicable) residency documentation (passport, work permit, etc.) transfers are permanent, only one change in athletic nationality allowed during a wrestler's career countries can accept no more than one transfer per year for each style & age level (e.g., MFS Seniors, U20 Greco) The IOC also has a "sports refugee" program to give athletes under certain conditions to compete at the Olympics, but idk what the exact rules are.

Unscientific, but in the lead-up to the Olympics the UWW had a poll up on its website asking which style people were most excited to see. Greco had an overwhelming # of votes, close to 70%, more than MFS and WW combined. Dunno what the final results were, but I do recall that the vote count was not trivial (n well into the hundreds or thousands).

The Bassett bros, the Bassett hounds, and the Bassett cases?

Incl Kerk or what?

Good on him, I'm glad the itch is still there. Any word on whether Russia and Belarus will be at Worlds?

What a huge get for RWC. I hope he can grow the wrestling culture in Texas and get us some more D1 wrestling there.

I agree it sounds crazy by Western standards, but maybe it would help the sport's global reach? I am under the impression that boxing goes all the way down to 105lbs (47.6kg) and has six weight classes up to featherweight (~57kg) because it allows guys from Latin America, Asia, and countries with generally smaller-sized athletes to compete.

He didn't even win OTTs. What's going on in your head that I'm missing?

Carl's Jr. (okay, Hardee's) never made me a contender. Their double western bacon cheeseburger was the bane of my existence.

Good on Bo for enjoying his recruitment and building a following but... this ultra slow drip stuff ain't it.

Maybe they enjoy the sport and want to challenge themselves? Maybe wrestling is a doorway to a college degree? Maybe they feel like they're not done yet?

All reasonable predictions. The location for 2028 will be a big X factor in everyone's decisions, though. A lot of those older guys who would otherwise hang it up will be tempted to give it one last go and compete for a medal on home soil in front of a home crowd in LA.

AGON was a pretty good variant at its time. Too bad it didn't last.

Prime example of your former point is Taekwondo. The matches in Paris were an embarrassment compared to what the sport was in the power era. The rules changes over the years and modern scoring technology have turned a once exciting sport into tentative tippy tap foot fencing.

You're not far off. I feel like Beach Wrestling has been gaining some traction and could one day threaten to replace FS or G. Easy to follow, easy to participate, fun atmosphere, quick (3 min matches/win at 3pts). A little lacking in technique, sadly. But maybe we could learn a thing or two from the beach format.

Did anyone else wonder for a second why there's a Last Hoohah here? Just me?

He's pretty ripped under those goofy overalls and mini-backpack. The guy who plays Anatoly has said it's more because he has perfect form and technique.

Sorry guys, sorry. But those weights, they look fake, yes? Can I try?

Sorry, I meant selection process. My scrambled eggs brain is still in Olympics mode. Thanks for the link, I was wondering earlier if our reps were going to be picked from the current national team and OTT results.

Too early? IIRC we're only about 10 weeks out from small Worlds. Any word on who's going? I'm not even clear on the qualification process. It would be fun to see Taylor go at 92kg (5% chance of happening). Maybe Vito and Yianni/Zain will be good to go at 61 and 70? RBY at 61 for MX? Zahid?

Darrion Caldwell?

I don't remember there being any hard feelings between Snyder and the coaches, though I seem to remember it being a factor in Kerk's transfer. I'm sure Tom Ryan was pissed.

Agree that our MFS did as well as could be expected. Also, this may not be a popular opinion here, but I'd be fine with having lower chances at taking home medals if we could have 10 weight classes and greater global parity.