Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

NCAA Division III News (2021) – # 3

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The NCAA will not be sponsoring a National Championship tournament for Division III teams for the 3nd consecutive year due to the low percentage of participation. With a few days after that was announced USA Wrestling and then the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced that they would sponsor a national tournament for those wrestlers. They also are asking for and accepting donations to assist in the costs of the tournament. The TakeDown Report made a donation and we challenge others to support this positive idea. As wrestling fans know, the wrestlers at Division III schools are not eligible for athletic scholarships. That is true for all sports at this level. The Division III wrestlers are true scholar-athletes. We wish them well in these efforts. Keep on wrestling! E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – Division III cancels 2021 winter championships
Due to low participation numbers among member schools, NCAA Division III winter championships are canceled for the 2020-21 academic year. The Division III Administrative Committee, acting on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Council, approved the recommendation from the Division III Championships Committee to cancel all winter championships. The committee has been closely monitoring and discussing the membership’s winter sport participation for several months, and it has been providing updates to the councils. The Championships Committee decision was based on the results of a winter declaration form distributed to members about their intention to compete this season in a capacity that would permit them to meet the minimum contest requirements to be eligible for championship selection by the established selection dates. The declaration form was sent to Division III athletics directors Jan. 19 and completed by 98% of the membership. … rest of story at https://www.ncaa.com/news/ncaa/article/2021-02-03/division-iii-cancels-2021-winter-championships?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – USA WRESTLING SET TO PROVIDE COMPETITION FOR NCAA DIV. III WRESTLERS WHO LOST THEIR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
By Rich Bender and Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling | Feb. 05, 2021, 1:47 p.m. (ET)This can be attributed to Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director.
“USA Wrestling is extremely disappointed and heartbroken about the hundreds of wrestling student-athletes who have lost their opportunity to have their 2020-21 season-ending competition due to the cancellation of the winter sports national championships at the NCAA Div. III level. This is the second straight year that this important group of student-athletes will not have an official national tournament. As the National Governing Body for wrestling in the United States, we feel we have an obligation and responsibility to provide a competition for these athletes. We are poised to step into the breach on behalf of Div. III wrestlers. We have been actively pursuing a number of options that are available to us, working with our partners and stakeholders within the sport. It is our goal to provide a high-quality event for these athletes during this academic season. USA Wrestling has been able to successfully host numerous competitions at many levels, using its COVID-19 Return to Events Guidelines and following local health and government regulations.” … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/05/USA-Wrestling-statement-on-hosting-event-for-Div-III-wrestlers?mc_cid=7fbcdf9574&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – NWCA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
The NWCA Leadership Group has been working on developing a non-NCAA championships event for Division III wrestlers prior to last week’s announcement, and the planning obviously kicked into overdrive with the cancellation of the 2021 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships. Teams were surveyed for interest and likelihood of competing in such an event, and an official announcement of an NWCA Division III Championships should be coming shortly.
The current format under consideration is a two day event taking place March 12-13 in Iowa. The exact site is still to be announced, as several venues are under consideration. The goal is brackets of no more than 32 wrestlers at each weight. There will not be a qualification round, but a selection committee could be utilized to narrow the field of entries down to 32 in the event more than that number desire to compete at a given weight. Wrestlers will come from teams whose institutions allow them to compete. This is the tournament at which NWCA All-Americans would be named. … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/nwca-division-iii-championships-update/?mc_cid=82bfd879a8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND NWCA Division III Coaches Association to host National Championships March 12-13.
In light of the fact that the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships have been cancelled, the NWCA Division III Leadership Group, in consultation with the coaches they represent in their respective regions, would like to provide the best national championship experience possible, especially for so many student-athletes who have now lost their second straight year of access to an NCAA Championship.  The goal is to follow these guiding principles: Check details and donate at http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-division-iii-coaches-association-to-host-national-championships-march-12-13/?mc_cid=a084ab7fd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Wrestlers remember Willie Myers
On Tuesday Jan. 12 former coach, mentor, instructor and athletic administrator Willie Myers passed away at the age of 81.  Myers was the head wrestling coach from 1968-2004, he was the Men’s Athletic Director from 1983-1998, and he was a tenured professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Coaching (HPERC). Myers earned his bachelor’s in industrial arts and a master’s in guidance and counseling from Eastern Illinois in 1964 before completing his doctorate in education administration at the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 1977. 
“Willie’s enthusiasm, commitment and leadership as both a coach and administrator were integral to the success of UW-Whitewater wrestling and the entire athletic department,” said Ryan Callahan, Interim Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. 
Myers had a strong passion for wrestling and also helping those around him which is why he had so many large accomplishments. Some of his most memorable include leading the Warhawks to 12 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, seven straight titles (1974-1980), 17 top-20 finishes at national championship tournaments (both NCAA and NAIA) and nine finishes among the nation’s top 10. He coached 64 individual conference champs. Student athletes earned 53 All-America honors, four national championships and 30 Scholar All-American accolades during his time as a coach. … rest of story at https://royalpurplenews.com/29836/sports/former-head-wrestling-coach-passes-away/?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – D3WRESTLE.COM 2020-2021 RANKINGS #1
At long last, here are the first d3wrestle.com Rankings for the 2020-2021 season. This is a tough season to rank without large tournaments and much in the way of inter-conference competition. Some notes on the process:

  1. Wrestlers appearing in the rankings will only be ranked at a weight where they have wrestled. Adjustments will be made for guys who have not wrestled when teams start their schedules.
  2. Only wrestlers who appear as certified on Trackwrestling are ranked. Eventually, certified wrestlers will drop out if they do not compete with their teams.
  3. Since 30+ teams are not competing, the rankings have 18 wrestlers per weight class. As always, the top ten are in order, and the tiers after that are grouped but not numbered.
  4. If there are misspellings of names or mixed up schools, leave a comment so it can be fixed.
    d3wrestle.com 2021 Rankings #1 – February 2, 2021 … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/d3wrestle-com-2020-2021-rankings-1/?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Bleich Named D3Wrestle.com Wrestler of the Week
HIRAM, Ohio — Baldwin Wallace University senior All-American and Academic All-American wrestler Stanley Bleich (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic) has been named the D3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career.
Bleich, who is the sixth nationally-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III at 149 pounds,  moved up to the 157 weight class and won two matches last weekend against two of the top-three 157 pound wrestlers to secure his 100th and 101st career victories.  He and the rest of the Yellow Jackets won matches against No. 3 nationally-ranked and crosstown rival John Carroll University by a final score of 26-16 and Otterbein University by  a final score of 50-0.
Bleich posted a 12-4 major decision over No. 1 nationally-ranked Ryan Whitten of Otterbein.  He earned a 3-1 decision over No.3 nationally-ranked Sam Gross of John Carroll.
For his career, Bleich ranks ninth on the BW all-time wins list with 101 victories and a record of 101-20. … rest of story at https://baldwinwallace.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/d3wow012621?mc_cid=348fe62197&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Val Kochiu named CCIW Wrestler of the Week
NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) announced Val Kochiu its Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday morning. A junior from Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Kochiu is claiming the title for the first time in his career. At the CUW Duals, Kochiu won three matches at 141 pounds as the Falcons went 4-0 to open the season at home on Saturday. He picked up a 9-0 major decision over Carthage’s River Rogers, followed by a technical fall at 20-4 against Milwaukee School of Engineering’s (MSOE) Gianni Rago. He then defeated sixth-ranked Ethan Harsted of Wheaton with a 15-7 major decision. On Saturday, Concordia Wisconsin defeated Carthage 52-4, MSOE 38-10, Wheaton 20-19 and Lakeland 41-15. … rest of story at https://cuw.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210126jvkn8k

8 } – Newly ranked as #1 in the country, UWSP’s Berlin looks to make up for lost opportunity
STEVENS POINT, Wis. (WSAW) -With the WIAC returning to play starting this week, UW-Stevens Point winter sports are ready to roll. The wrestling team kicks off the season Friday at UW-Whitewater. They do it with a wrestler who’s best in class. The new #1 ranked wrestler at 133 pounds in Division-III is Pointers senior Matt Berlin. “I thought it was cool, just seeing my name up there as number one,” said Berlin. “I know I’ve still got to go out, still haven’t wrestled a match this year. I’ve still got to go out and prove I’m worthy of that number one spot.”
But the fact he was ranked #1 without wrestling yet says something about Berlin. He might’ve been surprised, but what about his head coach? “No, I wasn’t surprised,” said longtime UWSP Wrestling head coach Johnny Johnson.
Why would he be? Berlin went 32-0 last year, was named WIAC wrestler of the year, and qualified for the NCAA tournament.
Except the tournament was cancelled, and his shot at a national title was taken away. “Yeah it was definitely disappointing, and heartbreaking at first,” said Berlin. “Just last season, putting in all of that work, and getting to the point that you work for all season, just to get to Nationals, just to get that opportunity to wrestle on the national stage.” … rest of story at https://www.wsaw.com/2021/02/01/newly-ranked-as-1-in-the-country-uwsps-berlin-wants-to-make-up-for-lost-opportunity/?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – Leightner Garners Third Career OAC Wrestler of the Week Honor
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio —  Baldwin Wallace University senior All-American 157-pounder Dalton Leightner (Ravenna/Rootstown) has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week for the third time in his career. Leightner, who is the No. 2 nationally-ranked wrestler in NCAA Division III at 157 pounds, helped the No. 6 nationally-ranked Yellow Jackets remain undefeated on the season with OAC victories over Ohio Northern University and Wilmington College by scores of 36-12 and 50-3, respectively. He defeated Adrian Salomone of Wilmington by pinfall in just 59 seconds.  Leightner then posted a victory over the No. 10 nationally-ranked wrestler in Schuyler Caprella of Ohio Northern by pinfall in 4:32. For his career, Leightner ranks tied for 26th on the all-time BW wins list with 77 and a record of 77-33. Off the mat, he is a two-time National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American … rest of story at https://baldwinwallace.prestosports.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/pow020121?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Kris Rumph Named A-R-C Wrestler of the Week
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced its athletes of the week for the week ending Sunday, Jan. 31, with Wartburg College wrestler Kris Rumph (Jr., Portage, Ind.) named the Wrester of the Week.  The award is the second of Rumph’s career and the second conference weekly award in a row for Wartburg, as the Knights’ Zane Mulder received the honor last week. Rumph improved his record to 3-0 during A-R-C action at 141 lbs. with a pair of wins to help guide Wartburg to victories over No. 14 Coe and Simpson. He won by fall in 5:54 over Coe’s No. 4-ranked and 2020 A-R-C Freshman of the Year Riley Wright and followed up with a 21-6 technical fall over Simpson’s Josh Bower. … rest of story at https://go-knights.net/news/2021/2/1/wrestling-kris-rumph-named-a-r-c-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

11 } – Kuehnlein Earns MIAA Athlete of the Week Honor
FREELAND, Mich. –Jayce Kuehnlein of the Alma College wrestling team has been selected as the MIAA Wrestling Athlete of the Week for the week ending on Sunday, January 31. Kuehnlein is the MIAA’s first wrestling athlete of the week for the 2021 season after the junior won the 157 lb weight class tournament at the MIAA Individual Championships, hosted by Olivet College on Saturday. (Jan. 30) Kuehnlein made quick work on his way to the finals, earning pins in the first period of each of his three matches leading up to the championship bout. In the finals, the St. Louis native won by technical fall by a score 15-0 over his opponent from Olivet. The junior was one of four Alma wrestlers to earn a place in the finals of their respective weight classes. … rest of story at http://almascots.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20210201pid921

12 } – THINGS YOU CAN’T GET BACK
The 2020 tournament was canceled for safety reasons as part of a blanket cancellation of all NCAA winter championships. The 2021 cancellation can only be thought of as a cost-saving move. The NCAA and Division III telegraphed as early as October that saving money was going to be an important consideration in the Division III winter championships. In the fall, the field size was cut from 180 to 135 to reduce the cost of putting on the tournament. Subsequently, the various committees decided that 70% of teams would have to compete in order for the championships to be held. That number seems arbitrary, and it is. It is the number below which Division III says having the tournament is not worth the cost.
Twenty years ago, I wrestled in the NCAA Championships for the first time. Going through the qualifying tournament, traveling to Iowa, walking into the arena, competing with the best wrestlers in Division III. All of it was an amazing experience that I and 159 other wrestlers got to share. We put in a tremendous amount of work to get there. I can only imagine the devastation I would have felt if I was told the month before that the tournament was too expensive, so it is not going to happen. This year’s wrestlers do not have to imagine how it feels, and some have now missed out twice. Four years as a college athlete is not a long time compared to the rest of your life, … rest of story at https://www.d3wrestle.com/things-you-cant-get-back/?mc_cid=fca48e06b8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 17, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

International Wrestling News (2021) – # 3

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A belated update on stories that involve USA wrestlers or international wrestlers they compete against. Stories from France, Iran, India, Japan and around the world before returning home to the USA. Explore and Keep on wrestling.
E-mail us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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1 } – QUALIFYING PROCEDURES SET FOR 2021 SENIOR WORLDS, 2021 PAN AM CHAMPIONSHIPS AND 2021 ROME RANKING EVENT
By Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling | Dec. 16, 2020, 1:03 p.m. (ET)USA Wrestling has finalized and posted the Qualification and Procedures in all three Olympic disciplines for three major Senior-level international events in 2021.
These events include:
• 2021 Senior World Championships, Oslo, Norway, October 2-10
• 2021 Pan American Championships, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, May 27-30
• 2021 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, Rome, Italy, January 14-17
Each of these documents were developed by the appropriate Sport Committees (Men’s Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Women’s Freestyle) and have been approved by USA Wrestling’s Executive Committee. All nine of the procedures can be viewed on TheMat.com, in the Team USA section at: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-wrestling/team-usa/team-selection-criteria
2021 Senior World Championships summary
In all three styles, any 2020 Tokyo Olympian who wins a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in August 2021, will have the right to compete at the 2021 World Championships at the same weight class. The 2021 Olympic medalist must declare their intent to compete by August 15, 2021. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/December/16/Procedures-posted-for-2021-Worlds-Pan-Ams-and-Rome-Ranking-events?mc_cid=4edc48d477&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – ‘Dangal’ at Ghazipur border to honour protesters
Tribune News Service New Delhi, January 10
The sun was out and so was the wrestling mat at the Ghazipur protest site today. Young grapplers from the Capital and surrounding areas showed up in hundreds to bring a smile to the faces of protesting farmers sitting there for over a month now. “We are sons of farmers so how can we not support their cause. This is our way of joining the protest against the laws,” said 17-year-old Adi, who trains at the famous Guru Hanuman Akhada in Delhi.
As a token of respect to farmers, a wrestling event titled ‘Kisan Kesari Dangal’ was organised at the protest site today. A special wrestling mat, the one used by Olympic wrestlers, was sourced from Guru Chandagi Ram Akhada. The slogans of “Sada haq, itthe rakh’ and ‘Kisan ekta zindabad’preceded every bout. … rest of story at https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/dangal-at-ghazipur-border-to-honour-protesters-196757?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – After rematch, Burroughs and Taylor ready to focus on Tokyo Games
Jordan Burroughs and David Taylor might not know how to ballroom dance, but they sure know how to ballroom brawl. The highly anticipated rematch fell in the favor of Taylor on Wednesday at the Flowrestling: Burroughs vs. Taylor match at Embassy Suites in Lincoln. Burroughs dropped the match 4-4 on criteria, after previously defeating Taylor in both 2013 and 2014 at the U.S. Open and twice in 2014 at the U.S. World Team Trials.
Taylor bested the former Husker and Olympic gold medalist for the first time, and has become one of the biggest names in the wrestling world. Taylor sat out almost the entirety of the 2019 freestyle season due to injury after recording a world championship at 86 kilograms (189 pounds) in 2018. Burroughs jumped up to the 86-kilo weight class after normally wrestling 73 kilos (163 pounds). … rest of story at https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/wrestling/after-rematch-burroughs-and-taylor-ready-to-focus-on-tokyo-games/article_aec5c25f-bd0e-513b-8bc3-5d8407caa9f8.html?mc_cid=985ebae38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Oborududu, others strike gold in ‘Champion Of Champions’ tourney
Oborududu shows her class at ‘Champion of Champions’ wrestling tournament
Blessing Oborududu displayed sheer dominance and supremacy to clinch gold at the Baraza Champion of Champions tournament in Yenagoa on Sunday, brushing aside her opponents in emphatic fashion on a day Aminat Adeniyi, Ekerekeme Agiomor and Soso Taramau also dazzled their way to the top prize in their respective weight classes. Commonwealth champion Oborududu showed why she is the No. 2 ranked wrestler in the world in the 68kg class with a ruthless 11-0 technical superiority win against two-time African champion Hannah Reuben in her first bout, before similarly overpowering Biogos Ebi 10-0. The 10-time African champion needed just two minutes to subdue Rachel Eke of Ondo State 12-0 via superiority to land the coveted gold medal. Afterwards, she could not hide her excitement following her return to competition for the first time in almost a year. “I want to really appreciate God for giving me the strength to wrestle today,” … rest of story at https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/nigeria-sports-news/437179-wrestling-oborududu-others-strike-gold-in-champion-of-champions-tourney.html?mc_cid=0d6ab523a2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – SNYDER, DAKE, DIAKOMIHALIS AND SURIANO WIN GOLD, FOUR OTHERS EARN MEDALS AT HENRI DEGLANE GRAND PRIX
NICE, France – The USA continued to roll on day two of the Henri Deglane Grand Prix as four men’s freestylers were crowned champs and four others claimed medals on Saturday in Nice, France. Winning gold for the USA was 2016 Olympic champion Kyle Snyder at 97 kg, two-time World champion Kyle Dake at 74 kg, National Team member Yianni Diakomihalis at 65 kg and Nick Suriano at 57 kg. Other medals came from James Green, Thomas Gilman, Zahid Valencia and Nick Gwiazdowski.

Back in action at 97 kg, Snyder, also a two-time World champion, went through round-robin action before making his way to the finals. In his round robin matches, he defeated Erik Thiele of Germany, 11-1; Radoslaw Baran of Poland, 9-2; and Radu Lefter of Moldova, 11-0. The wins put him in the semifinals, where he was slated to face past World champ and Olympic bronze medalist Sharif Sharifov in a rematch of the 2019 World semifinals, which Sharifov won. However, the Azeri forfeited the bout, sending Snyder to the finals. There, he dominated 2018 U23 World champion Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia for the gold, 13-2. Two-time World champion Dake was impressive at 74 kg, ending all of his matches early to cruise to gold. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/January/16/MFS-Henri-Deglane-recap?mc_cid=80454f9eb5&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D
AND FOUR Marines Place 5th At Henri Deglane GP In France
On Sunday, the United States was able to field a sizable roster at an international event for the first time in ten months. Eight total athletes.  Seven members of the All-Marine Wrestling Team plus two-time World Teamer Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm, 5PM #1). Among the group, not counting Smith and just within the Marines, were five National Team representatives. But for all of the delegation’s substantial firepower brought to bear, the 2021 Henri Deglane Grand Prix in Nice, France was much more about regaining lost match time than it was collecting hardware. That isn’t to say victory all of the sudden ceased as a principle objective. They don’t fly thousands of miles to merely step on scales and go home. It is more that the wrestlers have required different inputs from outside of their respective practice rooms, and one way to get that done was to hop over to France and pick a fight. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/grand-prix-france-usa-results/?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D

6 } – In COVID-19 era, former Gophers wrestler Pat Smith juggles need for competition and compliance
Preparing for the U.S. Olympic trials has been complicated enough. Now he must master testing and masking rules as he travels abroad to train and for tournaments.  It can be hard for Minnesotans to keep up with the state’s COVID-19 regulations, which have shifted and changed throughout the pandemic. Multiply that by four or five, and you’ll get a taste of what Pat Smith is trying to decipher. The former Gopher from Chaska is resuming his globe-hopping ways, heading to Europe as he pursues an Olympic berth in Greco-Roman wrestling. 
… rest of story at https://www.startribune.com/in-covid-19-era-former-gophers-wrestler-pat-smith-juggles-need-for-competition-and-compliance/600010690/?mc_cid=985ebae38c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b&refresh=true

7 } – Where the Dogs are Buried: When New Japan Introduced Us to Soviet Wrestling and the World’s Greatest Freestyle System
“That’s where the dog is buried.”
—Russian phrase used when one finally uncovers the truth about something or gets to the crux of a problem or issue.
The Soviets had long established their dominance over Olympic sports, but by the winter of 1988, the Soviet Union had found itself in deep economic trouble. The Kremlin was inevitably forced to lease out its incredibly successful sports programs to foreign nations for exhibition games to generate funds.  Showcasing their superior athletes in foreign countries not only allowed the USSR to bring in revenue, but also allowed Russia to use its competitors to propagate the idea that the Soviet system created world-class athletes. The first to take the Kremlin up on their offer was Antonio Inoki and New Japan Pro Wrestling. 1988 was not a successful year for NJPW at the box office. A year after the famed Ganryujima Island fight between Inoki and Masa Saito, the company was in need of a new direction. 1989 would provide New Japan with some of Inoki’s most successful experiments, … rest of story at https://fightgamemedia.com/2021/01/where-the-dogs-are-buried-when-new-japan-introduced-us-to-soviet-wrestling-and-the-worlds-greatest-freestyle-system/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Morrow & Nutter Provide Update From LOG Winter Camp
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
For Austin Morrow (67 kg, NYAC/NTS, 5PM #10) and 2019 Junior World bronze Alston Nutter (Sunkist/NTS), the ongoing January camp at Legends of Gold in Beresford, South Dakota marks the return of a familiar feeling: team chemistry.
There are other factors involved, too, such as the litany of tough and talented athletes at their disposal with whom they are sharing mat space. That helps. But Northern Michigan University grad Morrow — who still lives and trains in Marquette — and current student Nutter had not been able to function in a normal setting in quite some time prior to their respective arrivals in SD. For one thing, practices at NMU were put on hold towards the end of the fall semester due to various COVID-related reasons. In Morrow’s case, an injury that required repair and recovery served to put a damper on training concerns, though he is now rounding back into form at an increasing rate. This is wrestling in the US at the moment. One step forward, two steps back; two steps forward, one step back. NMU’s National Training Site, the largest … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/northern-michigan-university-greco-roman/morrow-nutter-winter-camp/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9} – SICK! Living MMA Releases Zagreb 2021 Highlight Video
Living MMA, the Slovenian-based film company known for producing wrestling and martial arts videos, is back with a new clip featuring highlights from this past weekend’s Grand Prix Zagreb Open in Croatia. American Joe Rau (87 kg, TMWC/IRTC, world #7, 5PM #2) went 2-2 in the tournament, good for fifth place. Rau remains in Croatia for training camp along with fellow two-time US World Team member Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm, 5PM #1). As usual, the video below puts on display much of the offensive might associated with top-level Greco-Roman competition — which is why Zagreb’s annual event has grown in status over the past quadrennium. Nearly a dozen prior World/Olympic medalists participated in the tournament, including two-time World Champion/multi-time … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/sick-living-mma-releases-zagreb-2021-highlight-video/?mc_cid=36a2e0aa41&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – WCL withdraws from Henri Deglane Grand Prix
NICE, France – Due to the escalating COVID-19 situation and new protocols put in place, Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) was forced to withdraw its team from the Henri Deglane Grand Prix de France. “There were a series of last-minute restrictions put in place which couldn’t have been foreseen that made this trip impossible,” said WCL High Performance Director Lúcás Ó’Ceallacháin. “Travelling safely is our top priority, and we want to put our athletes in the best possible situation to perform.” WCL was going to send seven athletes to the event. Sam Stewart, Diana Weicker, Tianna Kennett, Jessica Brouillette, Michelle Fazzari, Olivia Di Bacco, and Clayton Pye were unable to make the trip to France to compete. … rest of story at https://wrestling.ca/wcl-withdraws-from-henri-deglane-grand-prix/?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND WCL cancels 2021 Championship events
OTTAWA – Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Junior / Senior Canadian Championships and the U17 / U19 Canadian Championships & Cadet Trials, citing continued concerns for health and safety of all participants. In addition, the 2021 Canada Cup will not be run as an international event. The 2021 Junior / Senior Canadian Championships was scheduled for March 19 to 21 in London, Ont., and the U17 / U19 Canadian Championships & Cadet Trials was set for March 26 to 28, 2021 in Edmonton. WCL utilized a COVID contingency planning framework to help inform the decision-making process for event hosting for 2021. … rest of story at https://wrestling.ca/wcl-cancels-2021-championship-events/?mc_cid=9a695e9aca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND WCL mourns the loss of Mario Saletnig
It is with great sadness that Wrestling Canada Lutte announces the passing of Mr. Mario Saletnig. Mr. Saletnig was a great builder of the sport, as both an official and administrator, in Canada and internationally. He served as President of the Canadian Officials Association, and was a referee at four Olympic Games and 25 World Championships, as well as other numerous Continental Championships and Games. In addition to his work as a referee, Mr. Saletnig was elected to the FILA (now United World Wrestling) Bureau in 1986, became a FILA instructor for 23 years, and served as FILA Vice President from 2000 to 2010.
Mr. Saletnig was President of Wrestling Canada Lutte and served as a Chef de Mission for the Canadian Commonwealth Games Association at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He was Wrestling Canada’s Vice President, International from 1986 to 2010. In 1999, Mario Saletnig was inducted to the Wrestling Canada Hall of Fame in the Builder Category, and in 2012 he was named to the FILA Hall of Fame. … rest of story at https://wrestling.ca/wcl-mourns-the-loss-of-mario-saletnig/?mc_cid=ad63827ef7&mc_eid=%5B2ef7cbca4b%5D

11 } – Monday Roundup: Vera Official For ‘Last Chance’; Big Weekend; Age-Group Showcase
Late last week, Alan Vera (87 kg, NYAC, 5PM #1) received his official United States passport, thereby granting him, among many other things, full eligibility to enter the Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier later this spring. It had been a painstaking process lasting over four years. In March 2016, Vera was a member of Cuba’s delegation for the pair of Pan-American events hosted in Frisco, TX. He defected right then and there before eventually settling just outside of New York City. Competitions were sparse throughout the next few seasons, and mainly limited to appearances in the Bill Farrell Memorial. During this time, the pieces were being put in place. Vera required the completion of several steps with regard to immigration procedures, a cumbersome and oft confusing labyrinth of paperwork to those unfamiliar. … rest of story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/vera-zagreb-age-group-duals/?mc_cid=01186bea70&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

12 } – Iran’s regime to execute another champion wrestler
“The Olympic Committee has as yet refused to take any serious actions against the regime in Tehran for its bloody assault against athletes.”
The Iranian state’s opaque judiciary is slated to execute a second champion wrestler after it engaged in the widely criticized wrongful hanging of Greco-Roman wrestler Navid Afkari in September for his role in protesting regime corruption.Mehdi Ali Hosseini, 29, from the city of Andimeshk in the province of Khuzestan, was arrested in 2015 and charged with murder during a group brawl.His execution is imminent, according to family members cited on the Persian-language website of Deutsche Welle, a German state-owned international broadcaster.The victim’s family has not agreed to pardon the athlete for alleged murder, the DW website reported. … rest of story at https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/irans-regime-to-execute-another-champion-wrestler-654854?mc_cid=a7ee94d0b8&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND US, UK officials want EU and Olympics to stop execution of Iran wrestler
Lord John Mann asked “Where is the International Olympic Committee and world wrestling on this? (among others!)”
Mounting pressure from British and American officials along with Iranian human rights groups on the International Olympic Committee and United World Wrestling has on Tuesday sparked a reaction from the powerful sports organizations after days of silence about the pending execution of a second decorated Iranian wrestler.”The Iranian regime must be held to account for their vile human rights abuses and their attempt to cling to power through execution,” Ellie Cohanim, the State Department’s deputy special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, told The Jerusalem Post. … rest of story at https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/us-uk-officials-want-eu-and-olympics-to-stop-execution-of-iran-wrestler-655185?mc_cid=7d0bae3ce9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
AND U.W.W. Statement Regarding Mehdi Ali Hosseini
United World Wrestling was made aware of the Mehdi Ali Hosseini case on 9 January 2021 through media reports. We are currently still gathering information. At this stage, it appears that this a criminal case only, with no sports-related background. So far, we have learned from the Iranian Wrestling Federation that Mehdi Ali Hosseini was a regional level wrestler, who did not participate in national or international level competitions. United World Wrestling will not comment on this case before it has a clear picture of the situation.
AND Iranian Wrestling Federation vice-president calls for execution of Hosseini to be prevented
Iranian Wrestling Federation vice-president Hamid Sourian has called for the planned execution of wrestler Mehdi Ali Hosseini to be prevented.
According to The Jerusalem Post, Iranian wrestler Hosseini is due to be executed after being found guilty of murder.  He had reportedly been arrested in 2015 and charged with murder during a group brawl. The execution is expected to be imminent as the victim’s family has not agreed to pardon Hosseini for the alleged crime.  Sourian, a London 2012 Olympic gold medallist in the Greco-Roman 55 kilogram division, has pleaded with the family to prevent Hosseini’s execution from taking place. … rest of the story at https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1102914/calls-to-stop-execution-of-hosseini?mc_cid=7d0bae3ce9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

February 17, 2021 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment