Mahach Murtazaliev v Buvaisar Saitiev, Russian nationals 2007, 74 kg final

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Wl-_K1Byg

Saitiev looked sloppy. I can't tell if its the age thing or a lack of competition the last couple of years.

The match overall looked very similar to his match against Slay at 2000 Olympics. Mahach has a similar body type to Slay too.

Thanks a lot akzent.

Originally Posted by Big

Saitiev looked sloppy. I can't tell if its the age thing or a lack of competition the last couple of years.

The match overall looked very similar to his match against Slay at 2000 Olympics. Mahach has a similar body type to Slay too.

Thanks a lot akzent.

i spoke to some who know a lot about the russian federation... a few former soviet wrestlers living in the states, and some Kazaki and Uzbeki national wrestlers. they have told me saitiev has not had consistent training during the past year. this is mostly due to back/neck injuries.

no matter how good you are, a year without training at such a high level, when everyone is scouting you and training to beat you, will not turn out well.

as can be seen from his worlds 2006 matches, saitiev looked very tired, and his timing was not right. some are making references to his age, but the guy is only 32!!!

for what it's worth, my sources believe that he will make the comeback and represent russia in 2008. let's hope he can stay healthy! i also believe these few losses will motivate his training.

Saitiev may be only 32 but he has been performing at this level for 10-12 years and his body can only take so much and is probably not healing as fast. I still would never count him out either.

Originally Posted by Yazdani

Saitiev may be only 32 but he has been performing at this level for 10-12 years and his body can only take so much and is probably not healing as fast. I still would never count him out either.

very true. john smith spoke about how he was able to stay healthy (at least healthy enough to keep on competing) during all those years. he said he would go up to 4 months each year without any live wrestling, not even in practice. he said he was just a drilling machine. perhaps saitiev should take a note from the smith pages.

however, i'm not sure how much leniency the russian coaches give their wrestlers. it seems that they have strict programs and every wrestler on their club/team must adhere to it.

Satiev started winning Worlds at 20 years old. He is on his 12th year of competition and getting ready for his 4th Olympics. This is almost unprecedented for a middle weight. You have to realize 145 and 163 is where the most number of wrestlers from all over the world usually compete.

Originally Posted by Big

Satiev started winning Worlds at 20 years old. He is on his 12th year of competition and getting ready for his 4th Olympics. This is almost unprecedented for a middle weight. You have to realize 145 and 163 is where the most number of wrestlers from all over the world usually compete.

oh, i completely understand what you are saying. but thats what makes saitiev my favorite wrestler. and that's exactly why i would love for him to find a way to get one last title.

whats the story with nazarian from bulgaria? is he still trying to make it to his 4th olympics as well? i would love to see the both of them win it.

My sources tell me that Nazarian cuts a lot of weight. Something like 15 kgs.

Originally Posted by quick_single

My sources tell me that Nazarian cuts a lot of weight. Something like 15 kgs.

yea, he does. ive seen it. he hits reeeaaaallly long sauna sessions starting about 4 days before tournaments. and he's only about 5'5''

quick, do you happen to have his match vs Ji-Hyun Jung (korea) from athens? i befriended ji jyun and have seen him practice several times, but have never seen him in competition.