Coach_J

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

Honestly?
I think a Bo-Amine match would be closer than folks think.
I don't know which would win.
At 86kg right now with how Myles has performed, I think it is even money with Valencia and Hall both.
Styles make matches and Amine always wrestles close. So while Zahid controlled Hall, I believe it's close.
Amine hasn't made 174 since NCAAs too. So he has a small jump in acclimation to 189 than the other two. 
I do believe if those four do a round Robin, chances are that going 3-0 is just as likely as 0-3 and wouldn't favor any guy to go 3-0 or 0-3.
A lot of folks will favor recency bias, however my justification is weight acclimation, right now.

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

That excuses them not attending other international senior level tournaments? 

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

He just beat Shabonov (3x world medalist), Takatani (world silver), and Torreblanca (Pan Am champ who beat Downey) and he would have no chance against the Deans, Ruth, Hall, or Ringer?  Alrighty then...

I think Snyder controlled that match and Shabani was deliberately very defensive for most of the match to keep it close. But teching Alborov was very impressive so I'm very interested to see how he does at worlds and if he continues to improve who knows how 2020 goes...

After watching that match I came to the conclusion that Shabani could take out Snyder and give Sadulaev a great match on his best day. The kid is a gamer, seems to have a good motor and is STRONG.  Look for great things from him, if not this year, certainly in the Olympics.

A wise move on the Federation's part!  

Coach J, I am afraid I will have to reprimand you for not reading every post on this thread :)
Reza Yazdani took himself out, because he was in poor shape due to constant injuries.
Also, having three Yazdani's on the team was confusing some of the fans on this thread, so as a gesture of friendship to the American fans,  the Iranian wrestling federation is limiting the number of wrestlers by the same name to just two per wrestling style
 

Sir Sweats-A-Lot.

Okay, Mr. Righteous, I'll take it from the top.  You brought up my son in your original diatribe; my son is an Airborne Ranger combat vet of Iraq now serving in another not so nice part of the world--taking any shot at him or even bringing him up is, beyond ignorant, cowardly.  He has no idea who PDII or PDIII are and could give a f$ck. As for PDII, anyone on this forum for any length of time witnessed his helicopter parent daddy cheerleading/excuse making for everything little junior ever screwed up--he's opened himself up to the responses he gets, so deal with it.  You dish it out, you should be able to take it.  As for PDIII, I'm not a fan but I don't root against him, just indifferent and immune to the so-far unearned hype. If he wins a world medal, good for him, but the incessant "me against the world" is tiresome, particularly when most of his problems he's brought on himself, not "the haters" or anyone else daddy says pooped in junior's pants (ex-girlfriends, ex-coaches, yada yada).  Do something, win some bouts at the Dogu, then talk all you want.  And yes, I am a coach and father, and one rule is talk after you've proven something.  If PDII medals (hell, takes 5th, wins some bouts against top opponents) I'll congratulate him and listen to all the talk he wants to give because he'll have earned it.

No, I would not say that the system failed in this particular case but I would still think returning bronze medalists shouldn’t sit in the finals.
 
The last 2 times we’ve seen Downey wrestle was at Dogu and the WTT tournament. At the WTT tournament he needed a miracle comeback against Myles Martin, and Martin looked like the clearly better wrestler 95% of the match. He then squeaked by Heflin in the finals. Then he went 0-2 at Dogu and was far and away the weakest American 2019 world team member at that tournament. To me he looks improved compared to 2 years ago when he got teched by Taylor but it’s by no means a drastic improvement. He’s just nowhere near the level of Cox, Taylor or Ringer.

Okay, Mr. Righteous, I'll take it from the top.  You brought up my son in your original diatribe; my son is an Airborne Ranger combat vet of Iraq now serving in another not so nice part of the world--taking any shot at him or even bringing him up is, beyond ignorant, cowardly.  He has no idea who PDII or PDIII are and could give a f$ck. As for PDII, anyone on this forum for any length of time witnessed his helicopter parent daddy cheerleading/excuse making for everything little junior ever screwed up--he's opened himself up to the responses he gets, so deal with it.  You dish it out, you should be able to take it.  As for PDIII, I'm not a fan but I don't root against him, just indifferent and immune to the so-far unearned hype. If he wins a world medal, good for him, but the incessant "me against the world" is tiresome, particularly when most of his problems he's brought on himself, not "the haters" or anyone else daddy says pooped in junior's pants (ex-girlfriends, ex-coaches, yada yada).  Do something, win some bouts at the Dogu, then talk all you want.  And yes, I am a coach and father, and one rule is talk after you've proven something.  If PDII medals (hell, takes 5th, wins some bouts against top opponents) I'll congratulate him and listen to all the talk he wants to give because he'll have earned it.

Appreciate it, man.  He's a quiet, humble individual, expects nothing in return for his service, but I'll pass along your kind words when I am able to communicate with him again.  Again, thank you on his behalf.

That’s the difference between your route and ours. Our ill-placed confidence would result in actual matches for determining who is best (or 2nd). If we’re wrong, let Downey prove it. Ironically that’s what we want... opinions to die on the mat. It seems you don’t. 

@MDogg - huh, I had not thought about the first alternate situation.  You make a good point.  Seems to me that a true second should be determined.
Also, for Olympic years, due to the combining of weights, I am leaning toward the idea that only gold medalists get the bye at the weight. As an example, a bronze medal winner at 57kg should not sit in final when a gold medal winner from 61kg is in the weight for OTT.  
 
 

Cox, if he can drop the weight.  Taylor if not.  Big drop off after those two but I'd go Ringer.  Nickal and Downey would be a fun bout to watch.  Valencia a little outgunned physically to roll with this crowd for the time being.  JMHO

Hall has said repeatedly that 74 kilos is too hard to make.  He's slick, but is he powerful enough to go with this crowd?  Valencia seems to have the more natural frame for the weight gain.

I was just thinkin (in regards to Zahid and Marky), if either of then dont take an Olympic Shirt, which I think they will, i wonder if they would bump weights in college (gotta assune yes) unless going down.

How dare you!?!  Don't you know If u aint wit him when he down(ey) u ain't wit him when he upp(ey)   

Glad to see justice finally catching up.  Never to late to make things right.  Glad for Tervel, one of the genuinely good guys in the game.

Toadies and cleaners and sweepers out in full force.  Responsible comment:  "The kid looks like he could be competing on the senior level, a real beast.  Some coaches are even mumbling about Anthony's age, but no one's provided any facts to back up the grumbling.  Kind of a shame, but the cracks at his integrity can't overshadow what an incredible performance he's given."  Irresponsible:  repeating grandstand rumors and locker room innuendos that arouse suspicion without a gram of evidence to support them or making a professional attempt to verify their credibility.  You know, we may find out the kid is 35, but get the damn facts and verify them before you smear someone's name and freaking apologize when you do.