Katie

Boomers are emotional.

Askren's scrambling ability is out of this world, and he is much more athletic than the average person. With those two gifts, he was able to dominate NCAA wrestling.
But once you put freestyle rules into place (and thereby make scrambling less useful), and once you put him up against world-class athletes (instead of elite college kids), he wasn't able to get it done at the biggest stage. No shame there.
Personally, I think that when it comes to freestyle, Askren's relative lack of athleticism was a big problem. Stephen Abas, for instance, used a lot of funk techniques in college. But he still managed to win an Olympic silver because he was also a world-class athlete.

Askren's scrambling ability is out of this world, and he is much more athletic than the average person. With those two gifts, he was able to dominate NCAA wrestling.
But once you put freestyle rules into place (and thereby make scrambling less useful), and once you put him up against world-class athletes (instead of elite college kids), he wasn't able to get it done at the biggest stage. No shame there.
Personally, I think that when it comes to freestyle, Askren's relative lack of athleticism was a big problem. Stephen Abas, for instance, used a lot of funk techniques in college. But he still managed to win an Olympic silver because he was also a world-class athlete.

Winning the US Olympic Trials is a fantastic accomplishment, and I certainly respect Askren as a wrestler.
 
However, when I referred to the “highest levels of freestyle,” I was talking about world and Olympic championships. 
 
As far as I know, Askren never medaled, and never wrestled for a medal. He just never got to that level.

Askren’s idea was that he could be the best fighter in the world with incredible folkstyle-based grappling, good submissions, and rudimentary striking. That idea now appears to be wrong. 
Unfortunately for Askren, he’s probably too old to become a well-rounded fighter. His world championship ambitions are, in all likelihood, over.
Final story is probably this: His personal style allowed him to dominate NCAA wrestling, but was not enough at the highest levels of freestyle and MMA.

Winning the US Olympic Trials is a fantastic accomplishment, and I certainly respect Askren as a wrestler.
 
However, when I referred to the “highest levels of freestyle,” I was talking about world and Olympic championships. 
 
As far as I know, Askren never medaled, and never wrestled for a medal. He just never got to that level.

Askren’s idea was that he could be the best fighter in the world with incredible folkstyle-based grappling, good submissions, and rudimentary striking. That idea now appears to be wrong. 
Unfortunately for Askren, he’s probably too old to become a well-rounded fighter. His world championship ambitions are, in all likelihood, over.
Final story is probably this: His personal style allowed him to dominate NCAA wrestling, but was not enough at the highest levels of freestyle and MMA.

If nothing else, the move should help Snyder against Sharifov. Taylor knows how to beat him. 

This is correct.

"...it's about competing honorably with respect and dignity."  What's not to like about this guy?  Some people could take some lessons from him....

Thank you for posting this translation, Irani. Hassan Yazdani is an excellent ambassador for the IRI and the sport of wrestling. His modest, grateful attitude should be emulated by all wrestlers. There is not an iota of arrogance or negativity in any of his words about his opponents, who he looks at with respect and good will. 

I already really enjoyed Yazdani's wrestling style but this interview makes me like him even more.  Classy and humble guy.

Based on positive feedback on my other post, I decided to post my translation of the more of the interview with Hassan Yazdani
 
.



  م.
  Third gold Olympic or world gold medal for you?
Hazdani - I thank all the fans who prayed for me and my team mates.  I worked very hard for this, and I wanted Gold, and thank god I was able to achieve a good result.  I hope this is the trend that continues in the Olympics, and I can achieve a good medal there too, and bring joy to the people of Iran
People were upset and heartbroken after your unexpected loss last year, but this year witnessed the same Hassan as always, and you brought joy to the people
Yazdani - People have always been kind to me, and all my success it due to their prayers.  Last year, I was truly surprised at the world championship, and was very upset myself, but thank god I was able to get a bronze medal,  At that time, I promised myself to make up for my loss, and give the best to the people of Iran.  Fortunately, I had the best training in this period, and I hope this Gold Medal partially answers people's kindness to me
Of course, everyone was impatiently anticipating your rematch with Taylor, the American wrestler
The qualify of competition is always higher in the championship before the Olympics, and this year it was so.  Unfortunately, my american opponent was injured and unable to compete.  Hopefully, we will have our rematch in the Olympics, perhaps in the finals
After hearing the news about Taylor's injury, you wished him well.  Everyone was anticipating your rematch
yes, I was upset and I wished him well.  His injury appears to be serious, since he missed the championship.  I was hoping for a rematch with him, but I guess it will have to wait for another time, perhaps the Olympic finals.
After losing in the last championship, everyone was anticipating your revenge against your opponent
It's not about revenge, it's about competing honorably with respect and dignity.  I was hoping to compete against him this year, to redeem myself, because I know my fans were upset and I wanted to make them happy again
Everyone was anticipating a sweet victory in the final, but apparently, lots of fans, specially Iranians gathered to watch you final, but your Indian opponent did not want to have a bitter defeat go along with his sweet silver medal
I do not know if he was really hurt or not, but Hossein Karimi, his Iranian coach of the India team told me that he has an ankle injury.  As you say, it's a lot sweeter to win a gold by winning the final, specially when there are so many fans out there
J'aiden Cox, Karimi's opponent has said that he wants to move to your 86 KG weight for the Olympics.  surely this will make the competition even tougher?
Yazdani:  Yes, I have heard that too.  Cox has very good character and we are friends.  We show respect to each other every time that we see each other in tournaments.  He has told me a few times and I just respond by laughing.   For me it does not matter who my opponent is.  If I am Iran's representative in the Olympics, I will do my best for success and raising the flag of my country, and to bring joy to people of Iran.  As a competitor, it is my duty t fight in the field
Many say that you do not have any real competitors, and they try not to lose to badly to you
No, it's not like that.  I respect all my opponents, but my style is such that I finish my matches early.  It does not mean I don't respect my opponents
Apparently you did not even wrestle for 8 minutes in these championships, many call it the 8 minute storm
People are kind to me.  I do not know the exact stats, but I really do not let my matches reach the second half
You were received well by the Kazak fans.  It appears that they know you well, and you are popular there.  Did you expect that?
I knew Kazaks like wrestling and know wrestling well, but I did not expect such a reception.  I am honored to represent Iran to them, and hope that I am a good ambassador and show them Iran's culture.  Of course, I also need to thank the Iranian fans who came there to support me
Russian Wrestling coach DZHAMBULAT TEDEEV put a picture of the two of you on his page, and after you won he sent his congratulations and referred to you as his brother
Tedeev is a known and famous coach and does not need me to say positive things about him.  I am honored that he feels this way about me, and I have expressed my gratitude to him
Arsen Fadzayev, the Freestyle legend congratulated you, and invited you to wrestle in the tournament in Yerevan where other famous champions compete
Yes, he is very kind to me.  My schedule is determined by the wrestling technical committee, and I will do whatever they decide is best
What are your plans between now and the Olympics?
I will rest a little bit, then compete in the wrestling league based on my contract, rest some again, and then start training for the Olympics
https://www.khabarvarzeshi.com/fa/news/229371/یزدانی-دیدار-با-حریف-آمریکایی-بماند-برای-فینال-المپیک
 

I thought they were giving medalists from non-Olympic weights byes to the semis. But I could be wrong. 

I believe Dake gets a bye to the semis. 
That would mean you have iMar, Nolf, Lewis, Carr (and others) fighting for a chance to wrestle a fresh Dake.
then the winner faces JB, like he’s Mike Tyson in Mike Tyson’s Punchout.
(edited to correct mistaken info)

It's a simplistic world where: You are fine with your government have deep military ties to Pakistan -- a country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with putting gas in your car from Saudi Arabia -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with your country having deep economic ties to Qatar -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. And you are fine with your country launching a war to protect Kuwait -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel.
But you super outraged by Abounader wrestling for, and then quitting, Team Lebanon. It's really amazingly moronic.

It's a simplistic world where: You are fine with your government have deep military ties to Pakistan -- a country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with putting gas in your car from Saudi Arabia -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with your country having deep economic ties to Qatar -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. And you are fine with your country launching a war to protect Kuwait -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel.
But you super outraged by Abounader wrestling for, and then quitting, Team Lebanon. It's really amazingly moronic.

It's a simplistic world where: You are fine with your government have deep military ties to Pakistan -- a country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with putting gas in your car from Saudi Arabia -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with your country having deep economic ties to Qatar -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. And you are fine with your country launching a war to protect Kuwait -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel.
But you super outraged by Abounader wrestling for, and then quitting, Team Lebanon. It's really amazingly moronic.

In my uninformed opinion, Cox should go to the weight he would perform better at. Then let the chips fall where they may.
 

Good points.
As far as the bracket goes, it’s almost as if the 86kg bracket was drawn in a way that would give the Kazakhstani the best chance to qualify the spot for Tokyo.

It's a simplistic world where: You are fine with your government have deep military ties to Pakistan -- a country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with putting gas in your car from Saudi Arabia -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. You are fine with your country having deep economic ties to Qatar -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel. And you are fine with your country launching a war to protect Kuwait -- another country that doesn't recognize Israel.
But you super outraged by Abounader wrestling for, and then quitting, Team Lebanon. It's really amazingly moronic.

Considering we have Taylor, Ringer, Nickal, etc., 86kg was a massacre for us.
We got teched in the R16. The dude who teched us lost to San Marino the next round. San Marino and Switzerland are checking in at the Olympic Village while they await their medal matches. We failed to qualify the weight for the Olympics.

Good points.
As far as the bracket goes, it’s almost as if the 86kg bracket was drawn in a way that would give the Kazakhstani the best chance to qualify the spot for Tokyo.

People have suggested in other threads that 86kg is weak. I have a hard time wrapping my head around it, honestly; but my conclusion is that it's not nearly as weak as people think. Here's why: 
1. Though bigger than average, 86kg is a very "normal" size to have good athletes to choose from in many different nations--as evidenced by the fact that it tied with 65kg for having the most entrants of any weight.
2. There were 9 ex-medalists at 86kg--2 more than the much-revered 65kg crop and not including 2019 junior world champ Punia, Naifonov of Russia, Gostiyev of Azerbaijan, Torreblanca of Cuba, the US rep Downey, and long-time giant killer Ceballos of Venezuela. That's 15 deep AT LEAST having credentials that would mark them as genuine medal possibilities at any weight.
3. We're too caught up in the nation on the uniform. We think it's "weak" because Spain or Germany or Slovakia have a chance. Those are real guys with real credentials against top guys from around the world. They are not the typical western European reps.
4. We're underselling Myles Amine. How many times does a top 2 or 3 guy nationally from our NCAA system have to step in and be an immediate medal contender before we accept that the right guys with the right background can have real success with very little lag time? His semi's appearance is being cited as a sign 86 was weak--except that he crushed 2 medalists and beat medal favorite Torreblanca to get there.
5. MOST IMPORTANTLY: There were a LOT of mild upsets that stacked on top of each other that left us with a strange quarterfinals and semifinals. Friev upsets the clear top-bracket favorite Erdin. Reichmuth upsets Friev in the match of his life--and suddenly the door is open for Punia to step into the finals not having faced a top opponent. Dudarov takes out Makoev and Downey while Amine upsets 3 guys in a row and we get a weird San Marino-Germany quarterfinal. Aminishvili and Gostiyev fell early. All the name guys and name nations fell early except for Russia and Iran, basically. This weird run of results, more than anything, gave us the false impression that it was a no-depth, weak weight.
6. A lopsided draw accentuated the impact of the upsets. There were at least 7 legit medal possibilities that were gone by the round of 16 in Yazdani's quarter alone because they were all bunched together. Arguably that same number were gone by the round of 16 from Amine's quarter too. Meanwhile, Reichmuth faced two non-contenders before finding himself with an upset possibility in the quarterfinals.

1 - Sadulaev - No doubt about that, the most dominant wrestler today, just got his fifth World/Olympic gold (the same number as Burroughs, but much younger than the american)
2 - Sidakov - Amazing run, had to beat Burroughs and Chamizo again to win the Worlds for the second time. He is the first wrestler to beat Burroughs twice. Scored 14 total takedowns on his run, that's an impressive number.
3 - Petriashvili - Again he beat Akgul in the finals, who was having a very good year in 2019. It's his 3rd straight world title.
4 - Yazdani - The most dominant wrestler in the tournament, 4 matches, 2 TF and 2 falls, one of them against the russian Naifonov, who is a pretty good wrestler. It's his second world title. Aside of that, 1 olympic title and 2 more world medals (silver and bronze).
5 - Uguev - He had to beat Amiraslanov (2019 European Games champion), Erdenebat (2018 Asian Games champion, 2 world medals), Atri (2019 Asian champion), Kumar Ravi (won bronze, beat Takahashi) and the number 2 Atli (2019 European champion and world bronze last year) (TF on this last one) to win his second straight world title.
6 - Rashidov - Don't get me wrong, he was at the toughest weight at the whole tournament and had to pass through the likes of Aliyev, Musukaev and Otoguro just to reach the final match, but for me there was too much controversy on his matches against the azerbaijani and Musukaev that I ended up ranking him this low. Rashidov got his first world gold after 2 straight world silver medals.
7 - Cox - Let me begin explaining why I ranked this next 4 wrestlers this low. I can't put world champions on non-olympic weight classes above the champions of olympic weight classes, especially on a pre-olympic year. Cox is the better of the four in my opinion, he is very dominant, no one scored on him in the whole tournament and had a very stiff test on Karimi in the finals on his way to the second straight world title.
8 - Baev - He had to face great competition on his run, Iakobshvili (2017 World champion and bronze last year), Navruzov (2016 Olympic bronze medalist, and 2015 world silver) and Gadzhiev (bronze this year and silver world medal in 2017). Baev got two 4-point TDs on his final match, that's something you don't see very often in a final world match.
9 - Dake - One of the weakest weights, Dake did not repeat as unscored upon as last year, the tough russian Gadzhimagomedov was not in the field, but he still had to face the 2016 olympic bronze medalist and now 2x world silver Hasanov in the finals. We will have to agree that he did just the enough to win.
10 - Lomtadze - Finally the georgian got his world title, but he had the weakest opponents of all the world champions in my opinion and it's his first world title.