ILLINIWrestlingBlog

Another thought: I remember a couple years ago Iran sent a female team to the Grappling World Championships. That was the first ever, and it hasn't happened since. This was in 2015, and they won some medals. They have won a world belt championship--but I don't even know what that is. Long story short, why aren't they here? Azerbaijan is 97% Muslim by population, Kazakhstan is 72%, Kyrgyzstan is 83%, Turkey is 98% Muslim, followed by Uzbekistan with 88%. They've sent representatives. So, what's the deal? The three loudest cheering sections at wrestling events are Iranians, the women at junior duals and drunk Hawkeye fans. This would be a way to combine two of those groups to make an invincible group of superfans.

Kilty with the quick tech. Snyder up in about 5. Seems like a lot of wrestlers have made unnecessary adjustments during the tournament. Out of greed or fear, they give up a good position for a worse one. This happens most often with the chest wraps (e.g. Mason defending, Dake on offense). But also with ties. I liken it to Sumo, when a wrestler breaks his grip and attempts to gain another, his foe takes that opportunity to go for the kill.

Conspiracy theory or conspiracy reality?

Looks like Sadulaev and Uguev both fail to medal. (My prediction is a forfeit in Sads future).

My prediction.

Jacarra was way too technical for that German. 10-0 tech. Again, the UWW camera operators did what they've been doing all tournament long: Jacarra's going in for a takedown at the end of the first period, and they switch cameras SO WE DON'T SEE WHAT HAPPENED!

Good question. But how can he go on now after just stopping in the middle of a match? He will qualify the weight eventually.

Tashudinov can shoot as well. He's not just a chest wrap machine. Now, Sadulaev forfeits to Captain America for bronze?

Iran should've done what I've suggested in the past: Start celebrating with :09 to go. Run around inside the circle with your hands up shouting "I beat Sadulaev in Arabic!"

97 KG is Arkham Asylum.

Mat D was fire! Jacarra with the 7-2 win over the Indian. Ukraine beat the Z country (no handshake, thank you). And Musukaev with the touch fall over Otoguro, who is in reality, Rei Higuchi after a big meal. Musky's combination wrestling is out of this world.

He's getting a free massage during the match! I say if they have to take an injury timeout, they have to have their Mother come down from the stands and "kiss the boo boo." Maybe we'd see less of that? But yes, he's looked good.

Mat D is about to be set on fire. Jaccara versus India followed by Ukraine versus one of the Z countries, then Otoguro versus Musukaev. Yikes.

Seabass with the early second-period tech. Captain America with the first-period tech. Man, he is hyper at the start of matches. Haha!

Seabass in the hole on Mat D. O, en Español "Marlubina."

Have we been spoiled? These Finals have been high-scoring fire and war. Congratulations to Zain and Vito! They warred.

I agree with you. Except, I think they could say that Vito's action came out of bounds.

Score is good. Bad challenge, no?

Earlier today while they had four mats going at one time, seven of the eight wrestlers' last names ended with an "ov" or an "ev." Then, there was Marsteller. What kind of crazy name is "Marsteller"? It kind of highlights how good Japan and India are at the lower weights. They're in the conversation now every year, and they have a hard time getting a guy 79 kg and above to win more than one match.

Dake needs to run over to Sidakov's mat and stare him down.

There's a challenge, but Dake won. Final score will be 6-4. America. He played with fire there.

Great matches from Higuchi and Micic. Crazy stuff!

Y'all wanted Zahid to show his gas tank, so with criteria in his favor with just over a minute to go, he shoots.

The Azerbaijani against Zahid has a face full of Vaseline. That's going to get over everything and make gripping harder. Ref should force the guy to wear a headband and ban the goop. BAN THE GOOP!

And the Azerbaijaini at 57 kg loses to the Iranian that Zane Richards teched in Budapest. Zane's out. I'm on my third beer now, and I've decided to spend the rest of my life in a hole next to the public library. Change?