Wrestling World Championships begin tomorrow.
by PaulM (2014-09-16 19:49:25)

Some young guys looking to impress for the USA like Ed Ruth, Tony Ramos, and Nick Marable, the only man to defeat Jordan Burroughs in freestlye. Brent Metcalf will be there.

Of course, the highlight as always will be Burroughs himself. In 2008, after a humiliating 10th place finish in the Junior World Championships, he promised himself never to be anything less than the best. Since then, he's won two NCAA championships, two World Championships, and an Olympic gold. He will probably go down as the best wrestler the USA has ever had, and he's only 26.

Anyway, I have no idea if it will be on TV or live stream, but if it is it should be worth watching.


In case anyone was curious, it was a dismal showing by USA
by PaulM  (2014-09-18 14:26:31)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Burroughs injured his knee and finished with a bronze. I didn't see it, but apparently it happened early and the Russian (and eventual gold medalist) used it to his advantage.

No one else medaled.

The USA placed 9th.


Gable and Smith are pretty tough to surpass. *
by shadyirish  (2014-09-16 19:49:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post


Yes, that's true. Despite that, Burroughs can do it.
by PaulM  (2014-09-16 19:49:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

It's very rare for an American wrestler to be as successful as he has been in international competition.

Unfortunately, he only took Bronze in a stunning upset. He was defeated by former World Champion Denis Tsargush.


That's why they are tough to surpass.
by shadyirish  (2014-09-16 19:49:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Smith never won a bronze. He won gold at the WC in '87. Olympic gold in '88. Gold at the WC in '89, '90, '91. Gold at the Olympics in '92. And, like Burroughs, two Pan American golds. And he retired at 26 or 27. Interesting bit of trivia, the guy who beat Smith for the 1985 NCAA championship is now a US Congressman, Jim Jordan.

Gable retired from international competition before he was 25, but his career was sort of like Alexander the Great, he wasn't defeated, he just quit because, after winning Olympic gold without surrendering a point, there was no more to conquer, and of course he moved on to a fairly successful coaching career. No matter how much hardware guys like Burroughs and Smith collect, many people, not necessarily incorrectly, will believe that it was just a function of hanging around longer, not their being better than Gable.

Sorry to hear he won the bronze. Didn't see the match, but really enjoy watching him wrestle. Certainly will go down as a top 5 guy (exc heavies) in US wrestling, even if he retires tomorrow.


He did have an injury coming in.
by PaulM  (2014-09-16 19:49:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

His biggest challenge in the next few years will be holding off Kyle Dake and David Taylor.


Best The US has ever had?
by flanner96  (2014-09-16 19:49:25)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

Better than Dan Gable? I'd have to convinced.