Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

James ‘JJ’ Johnson was one of a kind

By Craig Sesker, InterMat Senior Writer
James Johnson had a larger-than-life presence. And a personality to match.

James Johnson coaching Ben Provisor at the 2012 Olympics (Photo/John Sachs)A strong, towering man who looked more like a basketball player than a wrestler, Johnson could light up a room with his infectious laugh, outgoing demeanor and ever-present smile. Known affectionately around the world as JJ, he impacted the sport of Greco-Roman wrestling as an athlete and a coach for the past four decades.

He competed in and coached in the most prestigious events on the planet. And enjoyed more than his share of success. It was shocking to hear late Sunday night that JJ had passed away. He was just 61 years old. He had reportedly undergone an emergency appendectomy at the Junior World Championships in Estonia last month and had been battling an infection after returning home to Phoenix. As you can imagine, social media was flooded with tributes to JJ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on Sunday night and Monday morning. He was a beloved man who had a positive impact on people of all ages. JJ could talk to anybody about anything. He loved wrestling, loved his family and loved life. JJ wrestled at the University of Kentucky where he was an NCAA qualifier. He was recently inducted into the athletic hall of fame at his alma mater. Rest of the story at http://intermatwrestle.com/articles/22318?mc_cid=98b1387d98&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Olympic Greco-Roman coach and past World Team member James Johnson, 61, has passed away

BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | SEPT. 09, 2019, 
USA Wrestling has received word that 2012 Olympic Greco-Roman coach and past World Team member James Johnson of Phoenix, Ariz., has passed away at age 61. Johnson was a 2012 U.S. Olympic Team coach in Greco-Roman in London, England, a World Team coach in 2011, and member of numerous other World and Olympic team coaching staffs. Johnson has served over 15 years as the head Greco-Roman coach for the internationally respected Sunkist Kids club. As an athlete, Johnson competed on two U.S. Senior World Teams in Greco-Roman (1993 and 1994).
Known by most people as JJ, he was not only respected for his coaching ability, and also very well-liked across the USA and the world for his friendly, caring approach to life. Although Johnson was soft-spoken, he was always smiling and laughing and bringing joy to those around him. “Our heart breaks for JJ’s family and friends. He has been a long-time contributor to USA Wrestling and the American Greco-Roman effort. He was an inspiring athlete, exceptional coach and all-around great person. His presence and impact will be greatly missed by our sport,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. Rest of the story at
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/September/09/James-Johnson-passed-away?fbclid=IwAR3GUl7y_J_AeO7D8NOBTBsK9CNF_0bEniqRx1e_CnE3BzxWlh8LzfEZ5yQ&mc_cid=98b1387d98&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Monday Roundup: JJ; Full ’19 Worlds Viewing Schedule; Coverage Plans

TDR Editor’s ; Quite sad and stunned by this news. James was a good man and an inspiration for many young wrestlers in Eastern North Carolina and beyond. In my first year coaching long ago we had a poster of James up in our practice room. He looked massive and intense dominating his opponent and that was the image I had in my mind until I actually had the pleasure to meet him in 2002 when we presented the first James Johnson Award to the top senior scholastic wrestler in eastern North Carolina. In reality I met a kind, generous man who had traveled quite a distance to join us and was glad to encourage wrestlers in our area. Will miss seeing J.J. in action as a coache and encourager.
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A fixture in the corner of dozens of athletes throughout his coaching career — and a World-caliber wrestler himself before that — James Johnson’s influence is impossible to miss. You see it on the faces of the current generation who wear the Sunkist name on their singlets; and there isn’t a Senior coach in the country who will exit a conversation without Johnson’s own name being brought up for one reason or another. He just seemed to be everywhere. Always around. Always involved. Always joyful to play a role in the sport, and constantly excited to shepherd the next wave of hopefuls who are attempting to forge their own journeys to greatness. That’s why when the news broke late last night that Johnson had unexpectedly passed away, an enormous sense of loss immediately flooded the USA Greco-Roman community. National-level wrestling breeds close familial bonds. Rest of the story at https://fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/jj-full-19-worlds-viewing-schedule-coverage-plans/?fbclid=IwAR3h6zKTcm0ltqItB7mNXK5tsd82bTYoIDq0yKnsFWO3vl8ZQjSf9k5xwag

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Potentially Dangerous Podcast: Casey Kreiter

Iowa’s premier site for youth, high school, college, and international wrestling. Potentially Dangerous Podcast this week is hosted by Ross Bartachek. Joining Ross this week is special guest Casey Kreiter of the Denver Broncos. Casey grew up as a multi-sport athlete in the state of Iowa for Central DeWitt high school. Now in his his fourth season with the National Football League, Casey shared his background in the sport of wrestling, and how it impacted his life growing up. As an alum of the University of Iowa, Casey is also an avid supporter of the Hawkeye wrestling program. Listen in at https://iawrestle.com/2019/09/09/potentially-dangerous-podcast-casey-kreiter/?mc_cid=98b1387d98&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Nick Suriano will redshirt Rutgers wrestling season to chase Olympic dream

Nick Suriano has his sights set on the Olympics. The Rutgers wrestling national champion is going to take a redshirt for the upcoming season in order to chase a spot in next year’s Olympics, according to a member of his family. A second source also confirmed Monday night.  Suriano, who was a four-time undefeated NJSIAA champion at Bergen Catholic, became Rutgers’ first NCAA champion back in March. Now, he’ll attempt to become one of six wrestlers representing the U.S. at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo.

The Olympic Trials will be held April 4-5 at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State. The most likely Olympic weight class for Suriano is 57 kilograms (125.7 pounds). Suriano wrestled at 125 pounds his freshman and sophomore years but moved up to 133 pounds before his title-winning junior season. The next-lowest Olympic weight class is 65 kg (143.3 pounds). Rest of the story at https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/college/wrestling/2019/09/09/nick-suriano-chasing-olympics-taking-rutgers-wrestling-redshirt/2269929001/?mc_cid=98b1387d98&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wrestle Like A Girl Fourth Annual Gala

The 2019 Wrestle Like a Girl Gala Committee is delighted to invite you to our 4th Annual Gala in Washington, D.C. Please join us to celebrate a year of remarkable growth in women’s wrestling. This five-star evening includes:

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Class of 2023 Big Board

Meet The Freshmen
A whole new influx of talent is coming to a mat near you. The former Junior High Big Board is split with the bulk of them becoming freshmen. We’ll start with the Top 50 and expand to 100 as the year goes on. Most of the data comes from NHSCA Middle School, Kids Nationals, 14U Duals,  15u Nationals, Akron, and Fargo Cadets. Also playing a huge part, of course, is the Roller series, VAC Duals and McDonogh Duals.  It should also be noted that Super 32 Middle School is a virtual Who’s Who of Junior High wrestling. It’s right around the corner, so sign up now. Rest of the story and list at https://www.flowrestling.org/rankings/6561170-class-of-2023-big-board/32411-meet-the-freshmen?utm_source=newsletter&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_medium=email

September 10, 2019 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment