Hello Everybody,
Well, I am finished with my first international tournament. I didn’t get the results that I wanted, but picked up alot of great things. I know that I can win an Olympic gold medal this year, and I know that when I wrestle my best no one in the world can beat me.
Match #1
My first match was against a man from Kazakhstan, it was a great first match for me. I won the 1st period with two single leg takedowns. My opponent was not even close to scoring at all. The 2nd period I took him down again right away, I was winning 1-0 and wanted to build my lead. I took a bad shot, and he scored a takedown to take the lead 1-1. I then took another shot at the end of the period and got turned for two points, losing that period 3-1. The 3rd period was all me. He took a bad shot and I countered with a takedown and cradle for three points. I then took him down at the end of the match, to win 4-0. Overall, I was wrestling great.
Match #2
Next round I wrestled a Russian, one of five that was in the tournament. I got over-aggressive the first period and ran into an arm throw for 3 points. I scored a late takedown, but lost the period 3-1. After this, we was unable to score on me. I beat him the 2nd period 2-0 with two takedowns of my own. In the 3rd period we got into some good scrambles, I took him down for the win with 20 seconds left on the clock. I tried to ride out the time on tope and score some more points with a high gut, and got the count. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the count I wanted. Apparently the referee was counting for him, and he was awarded the points. I lost the period 3-1, and lost the match. I didn’t know I could get scored on from being on top in freestyle, but I guess you learn new things everyday. The Russian went on to take bronze, losing a very close match in the semi-finals. Since he did not make the finals, there was no wrestle-backs for me, and that was the end of my tournament.
This was the first tournament I have wrestled in and did not place. Understandably, I was very disappointed. Watching the finals, I know if I had my chance I could beat them both. But it is good for me, and I learned from my mistakes, and I know that I was the best wrestler in that tournament. Overall, Trent Paulson was the only American to win gold. Me, him, and his brother, are taking off to Minsk, Belarus tommorow. We will join the Belarus team at their two week national camp. Apparently the training facilities are very nice and the food is really healthy. They will have their best wrestlers there. I am excited for the camp, and to prepare for the Belarus tournament on March 6.