Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Fishburne coach building better lives through wrestling

TDR Editor’s Notes; A big thumbs up and nod of agreement to this coach’s goal of wrestlers becoming better citizens. Yes wins are important yet the process of working towards wins is what makes for a better athlete, person and citizen.
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WAYNESBORO – Longtime wrestling coach Terry Waters has found a new home and a new challenge. Yet, now in his second season in guiding the Fishburne Military School’s program, Waters’ message to young athletes hasn’t changed. He wants them to understand the main goal shouldn’t necessarily be the number of wins on the mat, but becoming productive citizens. However, that doesn’t mean he wants them to think winning isn’t important. Rest of the story at …. http://www.newsleader.com/story/sports/high-school/2017/01/18/fishburne-coach-building-better-lives-through-wrestling/96713368/?mc_cid=77da268fec&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 28, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Duke Mourns Passing of Wrestler Tommy Hoang

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Had the pleasure of meeting this young man when I first went to watch him and others wrestle in the fabled Cameron Arena. He impressed me wish his character and quality at that time. Our condolences to his family and friends.
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DURHAM, N.C.—Former Duke University wrestling standout and Army veteran Tommy Van Hoang passed away Jan. 17, 2017 in Denver, Colo. Hoang was 36 years old. A letterwinner for the Blue Devils from 2000-03, Hoang brought a sparkling wrestling resume with him to Durham as a two-time undefeated Oklahoma state champion. He didn’t miss a beat upon arrival to Duke’s campus, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament three years. He remains one of only four Duke wrestlers to achieve that feat in program history. Competing at 125 pounds throughout his career, Hoang earned All-ACC honors in 2001 and finished with 88 career wins. His total currently ranks tied for 10th in program history. He was selected as Duke’s most outstanding wrestler in 2001. Rest of the story at …. http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22467&SPID=1834&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211423296&DB_OEM_ID=4200&mc_cid=b13473be47&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 28, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Being Matt Ghaffari

TDR Editor’s Notes ; An interesting look at a wrestling personality and how the sport has helped him in life.
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Being Matt Ghaffari – The Legendary Heavyweight Speaks
Next time you feel overwhelmed and decide your life needs some direction, just take a look at Matt Ghaffari.   Everyone remembers the wrestling. The popular heavyweight was the anchor for those USA Greco teams of the 90’s that helped re-establish the style’s place in this country. There were the uphill battles against Russian destroyer Alexander Karelin, the World medals, the Olympic silver, and numerous other titles. They are all important, each examples of how the Iranian-born American plied his trade. But people need “human”, they need flesh, blood, laughter, and tears. They need something, someone to identify with. Ghaffari was there to provide that, too.   That’s why it is never as simple as associating what happens on a mat with the plasma of those in battle. We tend to think we know someone and have a bead on who they are based on performance. There is some credence to that. Absolutely, wrestling can reveal the power of a person’s pulse. But it doesn’t show you the machines at play behind the curtain, the struggles you endured to get there and the victories won in offices and classrooms. Referees don’t usually show up at your home to award points because you make sure your family is taken care of. Medals aren’t given for the successes, be them tiny or monstrous, which are achieved on a daily basis. That’s okay, too. Ghaffari didn’t need those.   
Rest of the story at …. http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-interviews/being-matt-ghaffari/?mc_cid=60c5c902e7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

 

January 28, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Duke’s Jacob Kasper on Greco, College, and Enforcing His Style

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A look at what a Duke University wrestler did in his season ‘off’.
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Transition wrestling has become the “new norm” at the collegiate level. Some of the top athletes enrolled at several of the biggest schools in the country have elevated both their profiles and skill-sets after taking redshirt years to prepare for international competition, especially in Olympic years. That might be part of what is behind Jacob Kasper’s surge. The redshirt senior at Duke took seventh at the US Nationals in December has been on a tear this season at Duke following his time spent training Greco Roman in Colorado Springs last year. Now back in Durham and on the unforgiving NCAA grind, Kasper is focused on smashing his way through the Atlantic Coast Conference before hopefully bigger things come March, when the national championships take place.
Rest of the story at …. http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/dukes-jacob-kasper-greco-college-enforcing-style/?mc_cid=4af88e4817&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

January 28, 2017 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment