arm-spin

I've now managed to watch every final (except 96kg) thanks to the good people who uploaded them. What great wrestling!!

55 kg: Henry Cejudo wrestled very smart for a young wrestler. No anti-American bias in this one- in the first period Cejudo exposes the japanese wrestler in a move that could easily be scored 2-2, but it is scored 2-0 for Cejudo. Cejudo exposes his opponent on his shot twice. Score 2-2, 3-0

60kg: In the first, the Ukranian refuses to engage, stalls out to the clinch. In the 2nd Ukraine comes out swinging, tries 2 throws, one works and the other doesnt'. Batriov is calm and controlled the whole way... first period clinch scored for Batriov but it looke dlike he mighta stepped out first.. Score 1-0, 2-1

6: One of my new favorite all-time matches. These guys really get after it. Very funky, great scrambles and reversals goes right down to the wire in each period. Shahin is so clutch- won last year's WC on a 3pt arm throw, and steps over a gut wrench to take this one. Brilliant match (2-2, 2-1, 2-2 for Shahin.)

74: These guys spend most of the match side to side with their arms and legs tangled- must have sore shoulders after this one. Tigev looks very good, but Saitiev is the legend. The whole match is one big scramble and Satiev comes out on top. Scores a real tricky exposure in the 3rd to take it, no one can do this stuff like Saitiev. Score 0-1, 2-0, 3-1.

84: Great first period where Mindo reverses Yusup from about 6 feet in the air, then Yusup reverses Mindo's gut wrench. Yusup gasses badly halfway through the second and gets slapped around by hairy beast-man Mindo,l who starts scoring at will. Mindo has real heavy hands and doesnt' even have to try by the end. Yusup can barely get up at the end and passes out shortly after the match. Score 2-3, 3-0, 4-0 Mindo.

96: Semifinal was slow-paced and went down to the clinch in the 3rd, won by Russia. Haven't seen the final. Muradov is the best in the world, but didn't look flashy or fancy. Score 0-1. 2-0, 1-0 Russia.

120: Taymazov is just too big and strong for Russia. He bull-rushes forward and knee-picks repeatedly. Gets a pushout at the buzzer to win the gold. Russia tries hard but can't move him at all. Pretty fast paced for a heavyweight match. Score 3-0, 1-0 for Taymazov who gives up no points in the match.

MVP: Saitiev is the obvious choice, but I'm going with Mindo, who really beats up on both last year's finalists.