I remember the discussions about that match. I don't have any inside info like akzent does, but that one LOOKED real. The wrestlers and coaches were pretty intense. (I remember an Aldatov/Ktsoev match from the Euros that was rumored to be a work under the saem tradition, and the guys looked like they were slow-dancing.)

5pt, I was surprised as well that people aren't voting Gatsalov. I have Gayzumov as maybe a 55% favorite head-to-head, maybe others feel the same.

I think Yazdani's biggest drawback is that he isn't all that big. Gayzumov, especially, is a monster.

Originally Posted by jimbo

Yazdani will wrestle for Iran, the guy who beat him in trials lost badly in Poland tourney. it means Yazdani is fixed for Istanbul. although the team isn't officially announced yet.

I didn't hear any bad news about Yazdani in last 2 months, it's really rare to see him out of trouble ! so I think he is a gold medal favourite but as everybody says it's a very tough weight class.

What sort of trouble does he get into?

Originally Posted by JudoWrestler

What sort of trouble does he get into?

I'm talking about his usual problems, not anything specific. you know why he missed 2010 World Champs ! You always can expect him doing stupid things.

Originally Posted by jimbo

I'm talking about his usual problems, not anything specific. you know why he missed 2010 World Champs ! You always can expect him doing stupid things.

Why did he miss 2010 world champs?

Originally Posted by JudoWrestler

Why did he miss 2010 world champs?

because he didn't go to a theatre with the team ! It caused a problem between him and coaches and finally they kicked him out of the team !! later he came back for Guangzhou Asian Games.

Ossetians? )))
I wrote in another thread - at 96, there is another Ossetian conspiracy or (if you want) intrigue. Gazyumov, Gatsalov, Tigiev and Zaseev (Ukr) plan to win the four medals at both Istanbul'11 and London'12. "Ossetian podium" is the label that was recently coined for this.

So it looks like Gazyumov and Varner are the two favourites. I wonder if this would be the finals.

Originally Posted by JudoWrestler

So it looks like Gazyumov and Varner are the two favourites. I wonder if this would be the finals.

I don't see how varner makes the finals i think he's doing well but he just isn't at the level to beat tigiev, yazdani, gogshelidze, gazyumov or gatsalov, he did well at the yarygin and against akhmedov but the two finalists at the yarygin didn't make the podium at russian nationals. I'm hoping yazdani wins but the way gatsalov wrestled at russian nationals i put money on him.

Originally Posted by gbdaz

I don't see how varner makes the finals i think he's doing well but he just isn't at the level to beat tigiev, yazdani, gogshelidze, gazyumov or gatsalov, he did well at the yarygin and against akhmedov but the two finalists at the yarygin didn't make the podium at russian nationals. I'm hoping yazdani wins but the way gatsalov wrestled at russian nationals i put money on him.

It was a joke. I don't think Varner will medal.