thoughtbombing

That is what people were saying about Henry 10 hours ago.

thoughtbombing

And I rest my case. If you count someone out, it may be the motivation they need.

thoughtbombing

You're right... he didn't, they were Major Decisions... at Nationals... Division I...

just saying, when you pin 75% of your opponents, that pretty much makes you a badass. He's not wrestling fish in Division I, a lot of the same guys who made the tourney are the same guys who would be challenging for spots on the team and potentially medal at the games... in case anyone here forgets why I think Ben has more than a "decent long shot"...


Ben had a dominant Junior season in 2005-2006, winning all 45 of the matches he wrestled, pinning in 25 of those matches. He won the 174 pound weight class easily at both the Big 12 and NCAA Championships. He won his Big 12 finals match 17-6 over Jacob Klein of Nebraska and his NCAA finals match 14-2 over another wrestler who was undefeated going into the NCAA finals Jake Herbert of Northwestern. His outstanding season earned him the Outstanding Wrestler award at the NCAA Championships as well as the Dan Hodge Trophy and the Rev Wrestler of the Year.
He continued that dominance going into his Senior year in 2006-2007, going undefeated again with a record of 42-0. He won his second consecutive NCAA Championship at 174 pounds by defeating second-ranked Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh, 8-2. Ben finished his collegiate career with an 87 match winning streak. He also became only the second person ever to win the Dan Hodge Trophy twice, as W.I.N. Magazine named the 2007 winner. Ben was also once again named the Rev Wrestler of the Year. Ironically, Jake Herbert, who Ben defeated in the finals in 2006, moved up a weight to 184 in 2007, to claim outstanding wrestler honors at the NCAA. Ben finished his collegiate wrestling career with a record of 153-8, with 91 of those victories coming by way of fall. Those 91 pins put him at third on the all-time NCAA Division I pins list. He was also a four-time All American, including being only the twelfth Division I wrestler ever to be a four-time finalist.

-------

In short, even at the Olympic level, I might consider cutting weight to get below his class.

Gantry

We all know Ben's NCAA accomplishments. This ain't the NCAAs. Not to mention that 8-2 isn't a major decision.

We're all rooting for him but if you look at Satiev's accomplishments they dwarf Bens. Not that he can't win (Satiev looks human the last couple years) but he has a LONG, though fight ahead of him. Including a tough Cuban who is likely favored against Ben as well. Confidence is one thing, stating he'll walk through that draw without a challenge is a bit much...

thoughtbombing

Every olympics we hear that there is some guy who can't be beat, or some guy who doesn't have a shot in hell...

I'm not about to cheer for someone who doesn't promise to win. I'm not talking about TRY to do their best... I'm talking "you can take it to the bank"

If you don't have that level of confidence, you don't deserve to compete, let alone win. That's all I'm saying. That, and I've seen this guy smash more than a few awesome wrestlers who he shouldn't have.

Guy who wasn't expected to Medal just won the gold, while a guy who was expected to medal and possibly win the gold went 2 and out, without taking a single shot, without scoring anything that wasn't a total freaking accident or misstep for his opponents...

If anyone can unseat giants like on these brackets, it's him.

And keep in mind, it's not like he quit wrestling after College was over... he's still winning.. when did he lose last?

Gantry

If your initial post was the one above, we wouldn't have had an issue what what you are saying. Nobody is disagreeing with the fact that Askren keeps improving and many of us are believers that he can take it, even with this bracket. It was the assertion that he wouldn't be challenged that we had an issue with. Thanks for clarifying...

MSandhu

If your talking about Zadick was supposed to win the gold no way man thats like impossible he cannot beat the man that is Mavlet Batirov.


lol hes my favourite wrestler so don't be surprised if i talk about him a lot lol

thoughtbombing

I don't think he will. Dude hasn't had this kind of spotlight before. I may be overly optimistic here, but when the cameras are on, so is Ben.

The way his bracket looks, he's going to have to be careful and not let them take advantage of the openings he leaves when getting crazy. At that level he can't make the mistakes he did when he was like 18 and 19...

he's not 18 and he's not 19, though. Dude is solid as a rock and I don't think anyone is stepping on the mat and putting on more of a clinic than him. And when you go undefeated for like... years(!!!), well, you get cocky. And so do your fans. You thought the Russian looked pissed to get a Bronze, you ain't seen nothing yet if he takes anything but Gold here.

thoughtbombing

Again, he was the one on the bracket I would have thought would take Gold, if not Batirov. I thought it would be those two, but the bracket and our buddy the fish ruined that one for us.

Cejudo went out there and put on a clinic of his own. I hope the youth of America are watching what a pair of balls the size of a gangster rappers wheels on the hummer look like while bouncing up the podium.

vaisforlovers

zadick is done, he was never going to win a match, much less a medal, much less a gold.

Don't talk up askren without knowing his accomplishments.

If you knew wrestling you would know the difference between ncaa and olympics, and how much harder and competitive it is..

Askren isn't undefeated for years...he's lost THIS year internationally...to russian 3rd stringers.

Askrens my boy, but don't jinx him..he's got a long road ahead today.
him medaling would be a HUGE accomplishment...