Olympic Thoughts

Kevin and I got together Monday night to record the (mostly weekly) podcast, and it stuck out to me that #339 was only our 2nd Olympic preview. That’s almost 7 years of podcasting to only face our 2nd Olympic Games. I have thoughts about the Olympics that are positive and negative. Relying on this corporate beast is probably not the best thing for the sport, but for the time being there is no denying that it continues to be the pinnacle of our beloved sport. The exposure, sponsorship, focus, drive, etc is there and it is special. Here are some random thoughts as Wrestling kicks off tonight. It is good for exposure.

The time zone change where Japan is 13 hours ahead of Eastern time is weird, Rio was much more convenient, but it isn’t terrible. Early rounds will be at 10 pm, and the second sessions will be 5 am. For us keyboard warriors, that is a lot better than 2-5 am and then trying to function like an adult, which is difficult for me most days anyways.

Japan loves their women’s wrestling, and have been dominant at it. Susaki was the flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, and the schedule was (for the first ever time) worked to where there is one women’s weight class a day starting. Strangely, a perfect storm brewed across the pacific ocean. USA had all six women’s weights filled with credentialed favorites in their prime. The first time USA Women’s Wrestling could topple the Japan machine might be the Olympics that are in Tokyo. Mind blowing stuff for lack of a better term. The schedule has women’s weights in descending order. So Adeline Grey and Tamyra Mensah are favorites to win which could add fuel to fun fire.

Helen Maroulis became the first ever USA woman to win a gold medal in 2016. It was the last day of the Olympics, and some jackass swimmers stole the headlines. Tamyra should win gold on Monday morning (Eastern time). This gives her plenty of time left in the Olympics for interviews and exposure to what an amazing person she is. She should be the breakout star this week. Obviously, Adeline benefits from the schedule as well.

Snyder and Gilman both moved to State College this cycle leaving behind some hurt feelings in top programs’ fan bases. People will be ready to jump on if they do well or don’t giving an unexpected college wrestling feel to the Olympics.

Lopez (Cuba) goes for his 4th gold medal to try to be the first man to do so after not being active this quad. Kayaalp (Turkey) and Semenov (Russia) are very capable adding some great fun to day 1.

I’m always looking out for fun wrestlers (will miss Bonne (Cuba) not being at this tournament). Ernazar Akmataliev (Kyrgyzstan) is wild. He is just 23 and beat Eireman at the 2019 U23. He was losing 8-0 at the qualifier to Uzbekistan, but stepped over to get the pin. He followed that up with a 15-13 win over little Yazdani. Watch for him at 65 kg in Men’s Freestyle.

Corruption is still a factor in international wrestling. As time goes on and more exposure is there, one would think it would disappear. However, 2016 brought us naked Mongolians, officials being kicked out, the same German ref officiating all the American quarterfinals, and more anomalies.

Freestyle heavyweight is very interesting. Turkey and Georgia have dominated, but USA, Russia, and Iran send guys barely legal to order a drink in what is usually a veteran weight class. Gable Steveson is a marketable machine waiting to burst, but the field will make him earn it.

Of course, 65 kg in Men’s Freestyle has been a long drought. 48/50 kg in Women’s has been a long drought as well dating back to 2013 for the last medal. Sarah Hildebrandt is capable and credentialed to end the spell, but there is a good reason medals have been tough to come by. It is a yearly battle where many countries send tough competitors to build a deep field.

My gold medal picks:

WFS 50 kg: Susaki (Japan)

WFS 53 kg: Ana (Romania)

WFS 57 kg: Kawai (Japan)

WFS 62 kg: Yusein (Bulgaria)

WFS 68 kg: Mensah (USA)

WFS 76 kg: Gray (USA)

GR 60 kg: Sanchez (Cuba)

GR 67 kg: Nemes (Serbia)

GR 77 kg: Chekihirkin (Russia)

GR 87 kg: Lorincz (Hungary)

GR 97 kg: Evloev (Russia)

GR 130 kg: Kayaalp (Turkey)

MFS 57 kg: Uguev (Russia)

MFS 65 kg: Otoguro (Japan)

MFS 74 kg: Sidakov (Russia)

MFS 86 kg: Taylor (USA)

MFS 97 kg: Sadulaev (Russia)

MFS 125 kg: Petriashvili (Georgia)