I think sharipov is a dark horse he's been doing very well recently and former bronze medalist, i don't think he'll win but he could cause upsets.

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On themat they have the journalists picks and I was surprised at the lack of respect or just realistic views the international journalists have with Team USA not one international reporter picked a Team USA in any style (bastards)

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Originally Posted by RD149-2

On themat they have the journalists picks and I was surprised at the lack of respect or just realistic views the international journalists have with Team USA not one international reporter picked a Team USA in any style (bastards)

Or the delusions of the american journalists. One even picking humphrey to win 60kg.

Ole' champkind sticking with his Indiana boy I'm sure he wasn't serious with the pick it was a little ribbing for the rest of the voters Iranians have no sense of humor

The American journalists' homer picks were more striking than none of the international journalists picking a single American, but still it was a bit surprising. Wrestlers like Lester, Sanderson, Burroughs, etc may not be considered favorites, but there were so many wrestlers mentioned at some weight classes. I remember last year that a couple international journalists picked Jake Herbert to win the class (and just about every American journalist did), so maybe that disastrously wrong pick has disillusioned them especially considering Cael is at the same weight class. I just have a hard time believing that some of these journalists have even followed freestyle the last few months with a pick for Ganev and several wrestlers picked who won't even be representing their country. I don't think Shahin has shown anything over the last year to suggest he's ready to challenge for a title yet, though he still has the skills to be a spoiler.

Here's the link btw
International journalists predict the champions at the World Wrestling Championships | TheMat.com - USA Wrestling

Just about everyone picked Sourian at 55, who isn't wrestling accordnig to the Iranian fans on this forum. I'm not sure why Shahin has struggled lately (weight maybe?) but I hope he's back at 100% for the worlds. Greaat wrestler.

I would't be surprised at a Burroughs, Sanderson or Lester gold medal. Any other American- shocker.

I agree with that. The heavyweights Dlagnev and Byers are excellent and have consistently beaten top competition, but unfortunately have titans to contend with (in Dlagnev's case two of them).

Originally Posted by JudoWrestler

I'll eat my hat if Varner medals with a silver. Varner, Small fish in a big pond. I'd literally bet my life on this.

So so close

Originally Posted by gbdaz

I think sharipov is a dark horse he's been doing very well recently and former bronze medalist, i don't think he'll win but he could cause upsets.

Good call... I guess. He did win.

Is this a good time to remind Judowrestler of the Sanderson/Goudrazi results? Other than that though, the Iranian team kicked butt.