Freestlye Fails to Add Qualifiers
/The idea that the USA would send their last wrestlers to Istanbul and they would all qualify would have been irrationally optimistic. However, USA Wrestling is thought of as a super power and the idea that we are only sending 13 of the possible 18 weights to Rio is quite disappointing.
A lot will be discussed on selection process, time tables, development, and everything else to deal with what will be thought of as a failure. While failure is a strong word, it's appropriate.
Frank Molinaro did not get any favors in the draw department having to beat the 2013 World Champion in the first round 3-2. He added a dramatic come from behind win with an awesome 4-point shot. The familiar opponent Novachkov, who wrestled collegiality in the US, was able to get a pushout and shot clock point to make it 2-0. Frank hit his famous lefty high crotch but Novachkov was able to hit a cradle for a 2-point exposure to make it 4-0 at the break. Molinaro lost 5-2 meaning the US will not have a 65 kg representative at the Olympics unless some commies get caught doing something weird.
On Saturday, Tamyra Mensah looked to lock up the spot after falling one win short in Mongolia. In the quarterfinals, Mensah was leading the Ukranian (who was the 2013 World Champion) 6-0 when she got caught and pinned.
Kelsey Campbell advanced to the quarterfinals, but fell to the Russian 4-1 who won the tournament and she was the 2014 World silver medalist.
2nd WORLD OLYMPIC GAMES QUALIFYING TOURNAMENT
At Istanbul, Turkey
U.S. Women’s freestyle results
58 kg/128 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell, Tempe, Ariz. (Sunkist Kids), Fifth
WIN Thi Ly Kieu (Vietnam), Fall
WIN Yanet Sovero Nino (Peru), 4-2
LOSS Valeria Koblova-Zholobova (Russia), 4-1
WIN Aiym Abdildina (Kazakhstan), 1-1
LOSS Tetyana Kit (Ukraine), 4-3
69 kg/152 lbs. – Tamyra Mensah, Katy, Texas (Titan Mercury WC/OTC), Bronze
WIN Geetika Jakhar (India), 5-0
LOSS Alina Makhynia (Ukraine), Fall 1:55
WIN Yauheniya Andreichykava (Belarus), 10-0
WIN Adina Popescu (Romania), Fall 1:28
U.S. men’s freestyle results
65 kg/143 lbs. – Frank Molinaro, State College, Pa. (Nittany Lion WC)
WIN David Safaryan (Armenia), 3-2
WIN Yuhi Fujinami (Japan), 7-6
LOSS Borislav Novachkov (Bulgaria), 5-2
WIN Dauren Zhumagazyyev (Kazakhstan), 4-1
Bronze-medal bout – Vs. Azamat Nurykau (Belarus)
