Yianni's Freakish Arms

[NJDan 1,077]

It's been established that he has no triceps (though I have seen some sprouting recently) but I did not know that Yianni's arms are also oddly long. In the broadcast, the announcers said he has a 6'1" wingspan despite being 5'6". I had never heard that before. Indeed, I'd never heard any wrestler's wingspan being measured and mentioned. This article says it, too. 

https://www.ithacajournal.com/story/sports/college/2019/03/20/yianni-diakomihalis-cornell-ncaa-wrestling/3210643002/ : "Two aspects jump out when watching Diakomihalis – his gymnast-like flexibility and arm-length that belongs on a basketball player. He’s only 5-foot-6 but he has a 6-1 arm span."

[JeanGuy 147]

That sounds like a completely unsubstantiated comment from Johnson or Gibbons. They have all of the "facts" on things they like to make-up.

[southend 241]

1 minute ago, JeanGuy said:

That sounds like a completely unsubstantiated comment from Johnson or Gibbons. They have all of the "facts" on things they like to make-up.

Sounds like the New York Times,Washington Post , and CNN

[NJDan 1,077]

5 minutes ago, JeanGuy said:

That sounds like a completely unsubstantiated comment from Johnson or Gibbons. They have all of the "facts" on things they like to make-up.

Are you also doubting the Ithaca Journal?

[JeanGuy 147]

Just now, NJDan said:

Are you also doubting the Ithaca Journal?

Not at all just wondering if they got their data from a Johnson/Gibbons broadcast because we all know they come up with some great statements every time.

[NJDan 1,077]

1 minute ago, JeanGuy said:

Not at all just wondering if they got their data from a Johnson/Gibbons broadcast because we all know they come up with some great statements every time.

The Ithaca Journal article was posted on 3/20, days before the finals. Maybe Gibbons got it from the article. It could not have been the other way around. Or maybe both got it independently.

[wrestlingnerd 3,003]

I have no idea whether it’s really a 6’1” wingspan or not, but you have to be as blind as a bat to not see how long his arms are relative to his height. He has the gift of span, much like Ed Ruth, JB, and DT have. This is partly why he’s so good in scramble situations and can finish TDs others can’t. He’s the best college wrestler from an extended arm position and it’s not close.  

Edited March 25, 2019 by wrestlingnerd

[Broomstick 75]

Freakishly long arms and hand size/grip strength are the most important physical characteristics a wrestler can have.

[klehner 734]

1 hour ago, wrestlingnerd said:

I have no idea whether it’s really a 6’1” wingspan or not, but you have to be as blind as a bat to not see how long his arms are relative to his height. He has the gift of span, much like Ed Ruth, JB, and DT have. This is partly why he’s so good in scramble situations and can finish TDs others can’t. He’s the best college wrestler from an extended arm position and it’s not close.  

On the Cornell squad, Vito, Yianni, and Womack have overlong arms.  This is evident when they can sit the corner and lock hands to turn a deep attack into an offensive move.  Vito and Yianni also have under-rated strength that allows them to convert that length into scoring opportunities.

[ptz305 145]

Long arms and big hands = good wrestlers

[russelscout 1,573]

Look at Valencia. He has the shortest torso per body size I have ever seen. He is all limbs. 

[russelscout 1,573]

On a related note, anyone here read The Sports Gene by David Epstein? Very good and easy read, but really changed my outlook on competitive sports. Really the book talks about  how when there are enough athletes and the training and technique is relatively the same, the genetic outliers always rise to the top. Not a ground breaking thesis, but he gives a ton of really interesting examples. Guys with long arms in wrestling definitely have mechanical advantage. Wrestling is very unique though, and I have often wondered how genetics apply to our sport overall. For example, is there one specific body type that is better than others? If you have a short powerful wrestler with average sized limbs, can you optimize his training in a particular way for success beyond someone who is an outlier? How many guys are out there working their butts off, but never learning the technique or approach that could help them specifically? Ben Askren is an interesting person for this. Genetically he was not given what we would consider an athletic body, but he was able to completely change his approach to where he was able to optimize. 

[treep2000 1,140]

Baby J Bannister must be crying in the corner right now...

[Idaho 1,344]

31 minutes ago, treep2000 said:

Baby J Bannister must be crying in the corner right now...

Someone finally put her in a corner...

[Chitown 22]

4 hours ago, NJDan said:

It's been established that he has no triceps (though I have seen some sprouting recently) but I did not know that Yianni's arms are also oddly long. In the broadcast, the announcers said he has a 6'1" wingspan despite being 5'6". I had never heard that before. Indeed, I'd never heard any wrestler's wingspan being measured and mentioned. This article says it, too. 

https://www.ithacajournal.com/story/sports/college/2019/03/20/yianni-diakomihalis-cornell-ncaa-wrestling/3210643002/ : "Two aspects jump out when watching Diakomihalis – his gymnast-like flexibility and arm-length that belongs on a basketball player. He’s only 5-foot-6 but he has a 6-1 arm span."

Yeah, I was focused on Yianni's arms - not!

[treep2000 1,140]

1 hour ago, Idaho said:

Someone finally put her in a corner...

Baby J wrestled for Maryland this year. Now I'm lost... 

[wrestlingnerd 3,003]

2 hours ago, russelscout said:

On a related note, anyone here read The Sports Gene by David Epstein? Very good and easy read, but really changed my outlook on competitive sports. Really the book talks about  how when there are enough athletes and the training and technique is relatively the same, the genetic outliers always rise to the top. Not a ground breaking thesis, but he gives a ton of really interesting examples. Guys with long arms in wrestling definitely have mechanical advantage. Wrestling is very unique though, and I have often wondered how genetics apply to our sport overall. For example, is there one specific body type that is better than others? If you have a short powerful wrestler with average sized limbs, can you optimize his training in a particular way for success beyond someone who is an outlier? How many guys are out there working their butts off, but never learning the technique or approach that could help them specifically? Ben Askren is an interesting person for this. Genetically he was not given what we would consider an athletic body, but he was able to completely change his approach to where he was able to optimize. 

One of my favorite sports books. I've mentioned it on this forum in the past. Well researched.

Ben Askren is one of my favorite wrestlers ever for the reason you mentioned.

Edited March 25, 2019 by wrestlingnerd

[WrestleNJ 15]

1 hour ago, Chitown said:

Yeah, I was focused on Yianni's arms - not!

They kept showing her over and over... talk about distracting, I'm trying to watch wrestling!

[Dr. Novak 147]

Is that Stiffler's Mom?

[scribe 1,835]

2 hours ago, Chitown said:

Yeah, I was focused on Yianni's arms - not!

Hello...

[scribe 1,835]

4 hours ago, russelscout said:

Look at Valencia. He has the shortest torso per body size I have ever seen. He is all limbs. 

Mark hall is all forehead 

[TobusRex 2,108]

3 hours ago, scribe said:

Mark hall is all forehead 

If he had a normal sized head he'd probably be wrestling 157! On the other hand he must be very intelligent.

[TobusRex 2,108]

Yianni is clearly very strong, despite his appearance.

[Idaho 1,344]

20 hours ago, treep2000 said:

Baby J wrestled for Maryland this year. Now I'm lost... 

Nobody puts Baby in a corner....