Takedown Report

International Wrestling News (2021) – # 4

TDR Editor’s Notes ; A look at wrestling events around the world and with USA Wrestlersinvolves in international matches. Keep wrestling on. Contact us at the Editor’s office at martinkfleming@gmail.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Iran’s regime punishes innocent murdered wrestler’s coach and club
“The regime just took the wrestling club of Navid’s coach and cut his insurance and salary. They gave his wrestling club to Omid Norouzi, the head of Sepahe Fajr Basij.” Islamic Republic of Iran authorities in January launched a new crackdown against athletic friends of the wrestling champion Navid Afkari who was hanged in September because he protested against the growing political and economic corruption of Iran’s clerical regime.Sardar Pashaei, the renowned Greco-Roman Iranian wrestler world champion, confirmed on Saturday to The Jerusalem Post that “the regime just took the wrestling club of Navid’s coach and cut his insurance and salary. They gave his wrestling club to Omid Norouzi, the head of Sepahe Fajr Basij. They also changed the wrestling club’s name from Jahan Pahlevan Takhti to Omid Norouzi Academy.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/irans-regime-punishes-innocent-murdered-wrestlers-coach-and-club-656475?mc_cid=ff92a43b17&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Iranian Wrestling Federation vice-president calls for execution of 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.  “I beg Doctor Gholami Gheibi, who is one of the prominent doctors in Dezful, as the father of the victim, to please God,” he reportedly said.  “I hope that the honourable family of Gheibi will forgive this young man by doing this good deed.” … rest of story at _{^{https://www.insidethegames.biz/index.php/articles/1102914/calls-to-stop-execution-of-hosseini?mc_cid=7d0bae3ce9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

2 } – #197 Matt Gentry – 2x Olympian & NCAA Champion
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Matt Gentry is a 2x Olympian and NCAA Champion.  He wrestled collegiately for Stanford and then went on to represent Team Canada at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.  Please enjoy! … rest of story at _{^{https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/197-matt-gentry-2x-olympian-ncaa-champion/?mc_cid=63515b3c44&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Gruenwald: ‘Trust, Love, & Hope’
During his remarkable career as a Greco-Roman athlete, Jim Gruenwald managed to become a two-time Olympian and one of the unquestioned leaders of the US National program. He was an elite international competitor who was uncompromising and vicious on the mat; yet filled with a love for Christ and a willingness to passionately share his faith off of it. Today, he is the head coach at Wheaton College in Illinois, as well as a highly-influential voice pertaining to all matters of encouragement, devotion, and Christian servitude.  Trust, love, and hope. On the surface, not the first three words you would normally associate with the image of a wrestler, let alone one straining to become an Olympic Champion. Yet there are very few words as important. … rest of the story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/christian-faith/gruenwald-trust-love-hope/?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

3 } – Patrick Smith Checks In From Croatia: “Super-Grateful” For Latest Opportunity
The Minnesota Twins on Thursday signed veteran lefthander JA Happ to a one-year deal worth $8 million, pending a physical. Haap, 38, had spent the previous three years with the New York Yankees, amassing a 21-10 record in 50 starts after coming over from the Toronto Blue Jays midway through the 2018 season. It was a solid run in the Bronx, though one that ended without a pennant. Haap’s brief tenure in pinstripes concludes with an ERA of 4.13 in 51 regular season appearances (50 starts) — but his 1.196 WHIP across 274 innings-pitched during that span ranked as the lowest in his career. So anyway, yeah, Patrick Smith (77 kg, Minnesota Storm, 5PM #1) cares about this. The two-time World Team member — who is currently in Porec, Croatia for camp alongside fellow Team USA rep Joe Rau (87 kg, TMWC/IRTC, world #7, 5PM #2) — is a passionate, knowledgeable baseball fan and pays rapt attention to meaningful offseason roster moves that might prove positive for his beloved Twins. Like most of his ilk, Smith cannot help but embrace the hope that arises each January just before spring training … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/patrick-smith-croatia-camp/?mc_cid=ff92a43b17&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4bhttps://wrestling.ca/wcl-announces-departure-of-high-performance-director/?mc_cid=4ec9be6c16&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

4 } – Monday Roundup: Russian Nat’l Results; HUN With Interesting Plans
Last week came and went the Russian Nationals. If you are squinting your eyes and scratching your head because it seems like that event had already recently transpired, you needn’t feel vexed. This past October offered the “Russian Cup”, which despite a very slight tweak in the format basically served as a fall edition of their flagship domestic event. A month later welcomed in the “Moscow Grand Prix”, which brought forth competition only in the six Olympic weight categories. Held in Rostov, the 2021 Russian Nationals for Greco-Roman did not see participation from multi-time World/Olympic star Roman Vlasov, who is hoping to qualify 77 kilograms (for Tokyo) in March. Reigning two-time World champ Musa Evloev (97 kg, world #1) was also missing in action. Both Vlasov and and Evloev triumphed at the inaugural Individual World Cup last month after appearing in October’s “Russian Cup”. … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/russia-nationals-tata-camp/?mc_cid=4ec9be6c16&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

5 } – Latrobe’s Luke Pletcher Continues Olympic Prep with Strong Showing at PWC2
Luke Pletcher, a Latrobe, Pennsylvania native, and member of the Pittsburgh Wrestling Club, and Dymond Guilford of the Titan Mercury WC were among the top senior-level performers on the PWC2 card, presented by PWC on Tuesday night.
In the final match of the card, Pletcher jumped ahead with a strong first period, then controlled the action on the way to a 7-1 decision over Dean Heil of the Navy-Marine Corps RTC at 67 kg. Pletcher was happy with the win, but knows he was far from perfect. … rest of story at _{^{https://pittsburghsportsnow.com/2021/01/27/latrobes-luke-pletcher-continues-olympic-prep-with-strong-showing-at-pwc2/?mc_cid=bf1f14c6db&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

6 } – Iran executes wrestler Mehdi Ali Hosseini
Despite pressure from the international community, and one of Iran’s top wrestlers, Iran carried out the execution of Mehdi Ali Hosseini.
On Monday Iran carried out the execution, via hanging, of national-level wrestler Mehdi Ali Hosseini. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) reported that Hosseini, who was from Andimeshk, was executed in Dezful prison. He was 30 years old. Authorities charged Hosseini with murder in 2015, saying he killed someone during a mass brawl. Hosseini’s death sentence was upheld because the victim’s family declined the opportunity to grant him clemency. Iranian wrestling hero Hamid Sourian, an Olympic, World and Asian Championship gold medallist, had petitioned the family to show mercy to Hosseini.
Hosseini’s death comes a few months after Iran executed Navid Afkari, a wrestler who represented Iran’s national team. Afkari had been charged with murdering a security officer. Iran said that Afkari’s charges and conviction stemmed from a confession Afkari made while in detention. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/1/28/22254046/iran-executes-wrestler-mehdi-ali-hosseini-navid-afkari-human-rights-wrestling-news?mc_cid=8a92ee7e2c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

7 } – Scarborough wrestler facing a battle off the mat in his fight to compete for Canada at the Olympics
It’s Jevon Balfour’s dream to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. But that dream has turned into more of a nightmare for the Brock University wrestler. Balfour barely missed out on competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and is determined to compete for Canada at this summer’s Tokyo Olympics. Sadly, there’s a major obstacle in his way that has nothing to do with his ability as a wrestler, which is considerable. In September, 2019, Balfour underwent eye surgery to repair a detached retina. Because of that, he was unable to compete at the Canadian Olympic trials in December 2019. … rest of story at _{^{https://calgarysun.com/sports/scarborough-wrestler-facing-a-battle-off-the-mat-in-his-fight-to-compete-for-canada-at-the-olympics?mc_cid=8a92ee7e2c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}
AND Statement on Balfour appeal
On March 30, 2020, SDRCC Arbitrator The Honourable Yves Fortier, Q.C. made a determination in respect of Jevon Balfour’s participation with Wrestling Canada Lutte’s national team. That decision is available at the following link: http://www.crdsc-sdrcc.ca/resource_centre/pdf/English/948_SDRCC%2020-0446.pdf. While WCL is currently abiding by the decision, WCL confirms it has a received a request for appeal from Mr. Balfour. …rest of story at _{^{https://wrestling.ca/statement-on-balfour-appeal/?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

8 } – UWW offers financial support for smaller nations to attend Olympic qualifiers
United World Wrestling has announced financial support for smaller nations and developing countries to help their athletes attend upcoming qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The technical assistance was announced by UWW’s development department. The governing body said financial support will help cover the costs of the international travel and accommodation for athletes to participate in the qualifiers. A maximum of two athletes and one coach nation will be accepted. The UWW says applications must be lodged by member federations to the development department via its official UWW email address. Nations will have until February 19 to apply for assistance to compete at the European Olympic qualifier, which will take place in Hungarian capital Budapest from March 18 to 21. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1103668/uww-wrestling-support-olympic-qualifiers?mc_cid=8755157a86&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

9} – Monday Roundup: TWO Rule Updates; Army Finally Mobilized
In last week’s Roundup, the major item outside of the Russian National results was the appearance of a presumptive change to passivity governance that incorporates a third par terre option. Seven days later, and this rule update is no longer in the testing phase. Rather, it has been approved for immediate use in all upcoming competitions. Effective today under Article 47 of United World Wrestling’s International Wrestling rulebook, the potential for a third par terre opportunity is included. Below is the language employed to describe the new procedure as written. … rest of story at _{^{http://www.fivepointmove.com/greco-wrestling-news/rule-update-army-boise/?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

10 } – What to Know: Ranking Series Points, Olympic Seeding, Prize Money and the 2021 Season
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 1) — The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the competition schedules of the sporting world, including wrestling. The changes to competitions and myriad travel restrictions have meant that United World Wrestling has been asked to adapt with changes to the 2021 schedule and competition arrangement.  The 2021 season will be unlike any in recent memory. While athletes gear up for the Olympic Games by competing in qualification events and tournaments that will impact their seeding, they will also be wrestling in tournaments which help determine the 2021 Ranking Series champion. Those two trajectories will mean two sets of points for athletes, fans, and coaches to track in 2021. The Tokyo 202One seeding is almost complete, … rest of story at _{^{https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/what-know-ranking-series-points-olympic-seeding-prize-money-and-2021-season?mc_cid=3d847489c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

11 } – AMERICA’S CUP MEN’S FREESTYLE DUAL MEET EVENT, FEATURING TOP U.S. OLYMPIC HOPEFULS, TO AIR ON FLOWRESTLING, FEB. 10-11
USA Wrestling and FloWrestling are pleased to announce the creation of a new men’s freestyle dual meet event, the America’s Cup, which will be held in Concord, N.C., Feb. 10-11 and broadcast live by FloWrestling. The event will feature between four to six men’s freestyle teams, featuring elite athletes, competing for $60,000 in prize money. Each team will have six athletes, covering the six men’s freestyle weight classes (with a 2 kg allowance per day), plus 2-3 alternates. U.S. athletes eligible for America’s Cup will include athletes who will attend a USA Wrestling Freestyle Training Camp in Concord, including numerous National Team athletes and Olympic Trials qualifiers. Teams will be selected once the potential participants are finalized, in a manner which will provide each team with a competitive lineup. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/02/Americas-Cup-set-for-February-10-and-11?mc_cid=e1d5a94c45&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

12 } – IOC PUBLISHES FIRST PLAYBOOK OUTLINING MEASURES TO DELIVER SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL OLYMPICS IN TOKYO
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee (Tokyo 2020) today published the first Playbook, a resource which outlines the personal responsibilities key stakeholders must take to play their role in ensuring safe and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
The series of Playbooks provide a framework of basic principles that each key stakeholder group will follow before they travel to Japan, when entering Japan, during their time at the Games and when leaving the Games. They will provide direction and set parameters that will enable people and organisations to advance their planning at this stage. A preview of the Playbook for athletes was already given in a call with the Global Network of Athletes’ Commissions on Monday. … rest of story at _{^{https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/February/03/IOC-publishes-Olympic-playbooks?mc_cid=653cd27934&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b}}

March 7, 2021 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized