Sunday Scaries

I’m not sure if anyone uses the term “blog” anymore. In my mind, it’s people writing stuff that aren’t articles for professional paid reasons. Those lines seem increasingly blurry every year though. Either way, these will vary greatly in topics, length, quality or lack there of and more.

Pan Am Men’s Freestyle wrapped up last night with 9 gold medals for Team USA. Yianni did have to earn his though. He had a barn burner of a semi-final with Destribats (Argentina) 9-8. Destribats is an explosive athlete who is getting better at Wrestling. His burst on to the scene was when he caught Zain trying to turn him in a lace and pinned him at the Olympic Qualifier. USA did not qualify for the 2020 Olympics at 65 kg. With some help from the almanac that is Jason Bryant, Argentina has never won a senior level Olympic/World medal. Yianni’s final wasn’t easier. He defeated 2-time world medalist, Valdes Tobier (Cuba), 4-1. It’s easy to scoff at Pan Am golds, but Yianni certainly earned his.

Tamyra Mensah-Stock has signed with the WWE effectively retiring from wrestling competition. She is 30 years-old and didn’t start wrestling until 15 when her twin convinced her. Tamyra’s personality has been such a joy as she has been on this tear of success, but it’s almost difficult to remember when she was developing and not the the dominant force of the last four years. She won her first World medal in 2018, and then her first gold in 2019. Before that, there were many struggles including failing to qualify the weight class for the 2016 Olympics. The young women are coming up so far ahead these days, but let’s also give credit for Tamyra’s perseverance to ultimately reach her goals. She finishes her career with the Olympic gold, three Olympic/World gold medals and two World bronzes.

Zahid Valencia will move up to 92 kg for the World Team trials. J’Den Cox moved up to the Olympic weight of 97 kg leaving a weight class open that has been closed down and part of a murderer’s row of representatives. I won’t be surprised if there are more. With Tamyra retiring, 68 kg is relatively open as well. The influx of young talent has drifted more towards 76 kg, but maybe that will change for 2024. Amit Elor is defending her World Championship this year at the non-Olympic weight of 72. Where she moves will be interesting as well.

There has been so much to talk about recently, we haven’t even got into the NCAA rule change proposals. They are quite significant so it will be a large part of an episode. The high school changes were very minimal. I was hoping for the 4-point near fall in high school, but it didn’t happen. The 30-minute rest period will be a welcome change and hopefully help cut down tournament times.