Burroughs won 6-5, but not before Chamizo rattled off a quick four points in the first period. That offensive explosion put Burroughs on the back-foot heading into the second. And still, as champions are apt to do, he persevered, finding solid offense and a later double leg to seal up the 6-5 victory.
The match was intense, but in contrast to Kyle Snyder, the Burroughs victory felt rote. Snyder's 9-8 win over Renieras Salas was gutsy, but if you are a fan of the Ohio State big man there was some cause for concern. Salas was able to score a takedown, a turn and a massive four-point throw. Snyder answered with a takedown, six pushouts and a penalty point. A win is a win, but we learned that Salas -- not just Sadualev -- will be a challenge to Snyder's hopes for another world title.
Overall the event was another spectacular event, this time on the East River overlooking downtown Manhattan. Sold-out and filled with energy, the event was another example of how star power can create positive outcomes not just for fans, but for young aspiring wrestlers. Congrats to Brendan Buckley and his team on a rock star caliber event.
To your questions …
Zain Retherford defeated David Habat at the World Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: Like many, I was disappointed not to see Zain Retherford enter the World Team Trials (or the U.S. Open). I can understand Spencer Lee, Mark Hall, Bo Nickal, etc. taking some time off after NCAAs, and certainly folks like Yianni Diakomihalis and Jason Nolf who ended the season nursing injuries. But what is Retherford taking a break for? This is his future in wrestling. Are there rumors as to why he didn't enter? Also, what do you think about his future in freestyle? Personally, I don't see him having anywhere near the success in freestyle that he had in NCAAs. His last world medal was a Cadet world gold in 2012. His strength is on the mat, the top to be specific, and his turns aren't the 10-second rolls that are common in freestyle. They are slip in the leg, torture and turn, taking 30 or seconds or more. This doesn't work in freestyle. On his feet he faced many opponents in NCAAs who scored takedowns on him. He did make the World Team last year but didn't medal. I see him being a guy who could make Team USA but will struggle to earn world medals. He also could lose to guys like Logan Stieber at 65 kilograms or James Green at 70 kilograms and sit on the sidelines. Your thoughts?
-- Bob D.
Foley: I agree it's exciting to see our best wrestlers compete, but for Zain there was little payoff. He may have won an entry into the Final X, but after a tough NCAA season I think reducing his match count became a factor. Also, with his NCAA title he earned his entry into the World Team Trials.
Still, his not entering the World Team Trials as well seems to be driven by a desire to focus on the 2019 qualifiers and season. There is little way of telling what motivated that choice, but it seems to be well received in Happy Valley.
As for his success? I one-hundred percent think Retherford will be a world and Olympic medalist. I agree with your analysis that his top game takes time to mature, but that's adjustable. Talent-wise, Retherford has the tools. He just needs to apply them in new ways. He will need a year (or two) to accommodate for those new match strategies and to learn more about his opponents. In my heart I'm a Stieber guy, but I still think that Retherford could make the team in 2019 or the Olympic squad in 2020.
As for him not medaling in Paris, it was more a lack of match strategy and a crazy tough draw.
Q: When and why did Frank Chamizo switch citizenship from Cuba to Italy?
Robert G.
Foley: Chamizo began the switch to Italy after missing weight at the 2011 Pan Am Games in Mexico. He'd met an Italian female wrestler a few years earlier and struck up a relationship. After missing weight he was suspended from the team, which meant he had no real source of extra income. Love and the prospect of wrestling on his own terms brought Chamizo to Italy.
He married his girlfriend, but they've since divorced.
Q: Spencer Lee is not competing at the World Team Trials. Tom Brands said, "This is the right move for Spencer Lee." Do you agree? What do you think went into the decision? Does it have anything to do with Thomas Gilman?
-- Mike C.
Foley: I don't think that Spencer Lee would back down from anyone, including Thomas Gilman. I agree with Tom Brands that not wrestling might be beneficial. As the thinking may go with Zain Retherford, the 2018 Worlds might be a huge event, but if I'm Lee and choosing years to compete it's not nearly as vital as 2019, which is a qualifier for the 2020 Olympics.
Trust Brands. Trust Lee.
Q: Who do you think will be the surprise of the World Team Trials this weekend?
-- Mike C.
Foley: 65 kilograms. Whatever happens there will feel like a surprise!
Zahid Valencia is coming off an undefeated season at Arizona State (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Q: What kind of chance does Zahid Valencia have to beat Alex Dieringer and win the World Team Trials this weekend?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Meh. I tend to think Alex Dieringer is one of the top five 79-kilogram wrestlers in the world. When he travels overseas he tends to win. Losing to Dake is a tough draw, but I think he's shown himself to be somewhat dominant against national competition.
Valencia is a beast! But I'm not sure his style is transitioning as well right now from collegiate to freestyle. Too many back exposures in his game, which opens him up to errant points.
Q: Do you think Daton Fix avenges his U.S. Open loss and beats Tony Ramos to win the World Team Trials? Or are you picking Ramos?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Yes, but I also think it's unwise to underestimate Tony Ramos, which people do with some consistency. Regardless of this year I think Fix and Lee are the future of the 57-kilogram weight class in the USA ... and the world!
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now