OT- USA Wrestling

I do not understand how wrestling does not get more recognition.  I would say it is the most challenging sport and I have the highest respect for any wrestler.  The NCAA championship tournament is one of the best sporting events of the year.  These guys are amazing athletes.  I really don't get MMA, I don't see the sport in it and I have never understood why it is so popular why wrestling stays so remote.  

@"JR44" said: I do not understand how wrestling does not get more recognition.  I would say it is the most challenging sport and I have the highest respect for any wrestler.  The NCAA championship tournament is one of the best sporting events of the year.  These guys are amazing athletes.  I really don't get MMA, I don't see the sport in it and I have never understood why it is so popular why wrestling stays so remote.  

These guys are beasts, it's full contact chess, not just pounding someone into a K.O.  Once at MSP I had to rush to catch a bus to the next terminal, sat down and then noticed everyone had Hawkeye jackets on, then the size of them and then ill fitting headphones from their walkmen.  It was the Iowa Wrestling team, it was impressive, but the cauliflower ear thing was dramatic, they looked like a family with a genetic anomaly.  Really quite and well mannered group of guys though, felt safe not intimidated, Gable was coach back then.

@"BigAl99" said: These guys are beasts, it's full contact chess, not just pounding someone into a K.O.  Once at MSP I had to rush to catch a bus to the next terminal, sat down and then noticed everyone had Hawkeye jackets on, then the size of them and then ill fitting headphones from their walkmen.  It was the Iowa Wrestling team, it was impressive, but the cauliflower ear thing was dramatic, they looked like a family with a genetic anomaly.  Really quite and well mannered group of guys though, felt safe not intimidated, Gable was coach back then.

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"BigAl99" said: These guys are beasts, it's full contact chess, not just pounding someone into a K.O.  Once at MSP I had to rush to catch a bus to the next terminal, sat down and then noticed everyone had Hawkeye jackets on, then the size of them and then ill fitting headphones from their walkmen.  It was the Iowa Wrestling team, it was impressive, but the cauliflower ear thing was dramatic, they looked like a family with a genetic anomaly.  Really quite and well mannered group of guys though, felt safe not intimidated, Gable was coach back then.

That's good to hear, always nice to hear the young men represent the university well. I went to Olympic Trials in 2012 in Iowa City, which meant downtown bars at night. Went to the bathroom at Brothers and as I'm walking in, Tony Nelson (Former Minnesota Heavyweight) was walking out. Yeah, that is a big dude...nice guy too

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"BigAl99" said: These guys are beasts, it's full contact chess, not just pounding someone into a K.O.  Once at MSP I had to rush to catch a bus to the next terminal, sat down and then noticed everyone had Hawkeye jackets on, then the size of them and then ill fitting headphones from their walkmen.  It was the Iowa Wrestling team, it was impressive, but the cauliflower ear thing was dramatic, they looked like a family with a genetic anomaly.  Really quite and well mannered group of guys though, felt safe not intimidated, Gable was coach back then.

That's good to hear, always nice to hear the young men represent the university well. I went to Olympic Trials in 2012 in Iowa City, which meant downtown bars at night. Went to the bathroom at Brothers and as I'm walking in, Tony Nelson (Former Minnesota Heavyweight) was walking out. Yeah, that is a big dude...nice guy too

Two guys you never want to get into a fight with: a wrestler or a boxer.  :p

@"StickyBun" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said:

@"BigAl99" said: These guys are beasts, it's full contact chess, not just pounding someone into a K.O.  Once at MSP I had to rush to catch a bus to the next terminal, sat down and then noticed everyone had Hawkeye jackets on, then the size of them and then ill fitting headphones from their walkmen.  It was the Iowa Wrestling team, it was impressive, but the cauliflower ear thing was dramatic, they looked like a family with a genetic anomaly.  Really quite and well mannered group of guys though, felt safe not intimidated, Gable was coach back then.

That's good to hear, always nice to hear the young men represent the university well. I went to Olympic Trials in 2012 in Iowa City, which meant downtown bars at night. Went to the bathroom at Brothers and as I'm walking in, Tony Nelson (Former Minnesota Heavyweight) was walking out. Yeah, that is a big dude...nice guy too

Two guys you never want to get into a fight with: a wrestler or a boxer.  :p

Wow, Gable is a monster. Two takedowns in the final 12 or so seconds to win Gold. That was wild

Dude is very quick and powerful. He is only 21 years old. Quite an accomplishment.

@"Hawkvike25" said: Wow, Gable is a monster. Two takedowns in the final 12 or so seconds to win Gold. That was wild

@"Vikergirl" said: Dude is very quick and powerful. He is only 21 years old. Quite an accomplishment.

That GOLD medal feeling. 🥇#TokyoOlympics | @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/rded6GWL6o

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said: Wow, Gable is a monster. Two takedowns in the final 12 or so seconds to win Gold. That was wild

not to take away from Gables win,  but that other dude was gassed... he couldnt hardly get to his feet and then went to the mat instead of trying to fight off Gables shots to eat time,  but it was the gold medal match so its not like the guy was a fish to begin with,  just looked like he wasnt ready to go to the final whistle.

@"Nichelle" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Dude is very quick and powerful. He is only 21 years old. Quite an accomplishment.

And bouncy!

That GOLD medal feeling. 🥇#TokyoOlympics | @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/rded6GWL6o

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

looks like Gable could have easily went another few rounds.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Nichelle" said:

@"Vikergirl" said: Dude is very quick and powerful. He is only 21 years old. Quite an accomplishment.

And bouncy!

That GOLD medal feeling. 🥇#TokyoOlympics | @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/rded6GWL6o

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021

looks like Gable could have easily went another few rounds.

Nah, the good kind. I'm just not used to seeing a 275 pound dude doing back flips.

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said: Wow, Gable is a monster. Two takedowns in the final 12 or so seconds to win Gold. That was wild

not to take away from Gables win,  but that other dude was gassed... he couldnt hardly get to his feet and then went to the mat instead of trying to fight off Gables shots to eat time,  but it was the gold medal match so its not like the guy was a fish to begin with,  just looked like he wasnt ready to go to the final whistle.

@"BarrNone55" said: https://twitter.com/i/status/1423633929576370181

@"JR44" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"Hawkvike25" said: Wow, Gable is a monster. Two takedowns in the final 12 or so seconds to win Gold. That was wild

not to take away from Gables win,  but that other dude was gassed... he couldnt hardly get to his feet and then went to the mat instead of trying to fight off Gables shots to eat time,  but it was the gold medal match so its not like the guy was a fish to begin with,  just looked like he wasnt ready to go to the final whistle.

The opponent was the #1 seed and a 3x world champ, so the best in the world.  He was gassed, because of Gable wearing him down, which is such a huge part of wrestling.  It is all about conditioning and outlasting your opponent.   I had always trained for football and when I started wrestling, I found out that I had no idea what real conditioning was, by far the most challenging conditioning and endurance sport by a mile that I have ever done.  

This and also the video of Sunsi Lee's family when she won are my two favorite moments of the Olympics.  Here are his parents and brother and sister during the last 20 seconds -