steamboat_charlie v2

Ringer did an interview with Bader a few weeks ago and confirmed that he plans to go 86kg and "just get huge."

+1. We've been having this conversation on and off over the past 6 months, and he definitively did not say he's going up. My hunch for some time has been that he will go 97kg because (1) I think he believes he can beat Snyder, and (2) his comments about making the weight after World's last year. But, I could be totally wrong, and there are convincing arguments pointing toward 86kg as well. Plus, it may be tough for Cox to pass up a chance to block DT's path to the Olympics... I think that grudge is very much still alive.

Depends on who shows up. I think it's very likely that at least one of Zubairov, Tsakulov, and/or Mohebbi will enter. I might favor him over Zubairov, but on paper he's an underdog vs. all three.

I think that's a pretty foolish/narrow view. There's real talent at this tournament. There are many more quality champs than there are Richie Lewis'. What better way to simulate a world championship? Here are some of the guys that competed in U23's last year: Idrisov -- wins U23's last year, wins Russian nationals this year. Rei Higuchi -- doesn't need an introduction. David Baev -- 2nd at U23's last year, wins Russian nationals this year. Salkazanov -- just took 3rd at Dogu. A. Kentchadze -- senior world silver, plenty of other senior level accomplishments. N. Kentchadze -- senior Euro bronze. Ghasempour -- senior Asian champ, now ranked top 5 in the world. Naifonov -- senior Euro champ. Plenty of senior level accomplishments. Russian nationals champ. Suleymanov -- ranked top 10 at the senior level. Zubairov -- just took 3rd at Dogu. Matcharashvilli -- senior Euro silver. Gamidov -- Russian nationals runner-up. Shabani -- just teched Alborov and took Snyder down to the wire. Is Nickal too good for this tournament? Because every one of these guys is more credentialed than he is at this point.

I don't really think we learned too much about our guys over the weekend... rather, reinforced what we already pretty much knew. I was, however, very impressed by Shabani. Alborov had nothing for him. I did not see that coming.

I mean... OK, but he's not being unreasonable. I'm positive Yianni was not pleased with that performance.

I'll take Punia over Downey straight up if anyone wants the other side of that bet.

It's pretty common these days. These kids are the first true social media babies... they've never known anything different. Even just being ~5 years older than them, your experience growing up might have been pretty different. The entire essence of the social media sharing movement is "look at me." I try not to blame them too much... just hope they grow out of it.

Jokes on you--I'm a svelte 251 pounder.

Right. He might already have secured it but he's gunning for the 3 seed to get on the opposite side of Geno.

What kind of odds would you guys put on the Gwiz / Akgul match?

Agree with all of that. It just reminded me of many Stieber matches over the years. Still... Yianni's attack rate since the beginning of this freestyle season has been pretty insane, and that is definitely reminiscent of Stieber.

Imagine bragging about going to trade shows...

Strong win from Ringer. Teymouri is really tough... that's a guy he very well may see again in September. Everyone talks about the dumps and the points in bunches from Dieringer... but damn, how good is his defense?

Musukaev is tough... but not "dig yourself a 9-0 hole in the first period" tough. Shades of Logan Stieber in that match. Sure, Yianni won, but relying on comebacks like that is a dangerous recipe.