Big

06 Worlds in China were supposed to be a preview of 08 Olympics. That could not have been more wrong for Russia and America. 3 top Russian wrestlers from 06 Worlds, Sajidov, Gatsalov, and Kuramagomedov most likely will not make the Olympic team. The same is true for America. Henson, Zadick brothers, and Pritzlaff will not be on the Olympic team.

What is even more striking, for both Russia and America, relative newcomers will represent those weights.

Schlottke

What Russian is coming at Askren's weight, do they know yet for certain, is it expected to be Saitiev?

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Big

Nothing is final yet. They will monitor his progress for the next month or so. They want to make sure his win at Russian Nationals was not a fluke

Schlottke

don't give him much leeway on a couple recent losses, eh?

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The Big Stiffy

Big, here's a question for you as I think you may be one of the few actual people that may know this. How many countries are like the U.S. and have one tourney to decide who is their representative and how many countries decide their representative based on multiple tourneys?

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Curtis Chenoweth
wannabe national champ looking for a good home

Big

Stiffy, actually for most countries its neither. Most countries have certain wrestlers that don't even have to try out for Worlds/Olympics.

In other words, most countries either import wrestlers specifically or use certain wrestlers until another very good wrestler comes along based on international results.

bluestater

That's a good point, Big. Stunning? Not really. But a good point.

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ODH

Canada has one tournament.

Big

Its a clash of mentalities. Western mentality is to give an opportunity to anyone that wins on that one given date. In many other countries its about who can deliver the best results. So, they sit in a room and talk about who they should send.

bluestater

I go back and forth on this one. On one hand, if we did the Russian system, Jamill Kelly never would have won a silver medal in 2004. But when I look at our Greco team for this year, though I'm thrilled for Diechtler, I definitely think Harry Lester would bring us better results. I hope the kid proves me wrong, but the Olympics are a mighty big stage to make your international debut.

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