Wrestling Blogs - Martin Floreani

Big Day of 3

August 20, 2008

So we have 3 weight classes left. 84,96 and 120kg will be going today. I have a jammed packed day and it starts right now. Yesterday Ben Askren and Doug Schwab didnt have the days they wanted. Ben won his first match with a pin which was awesome but lost handily to the cuban in his second match. I think it was a really bad clash of styles. I was disappointed that Ben lost but also excited to be able to watch Saitiev wrestle in that weight class. Saitiev was a really awesome to watch. He came out there and performed with every match. He didnt falter once and I think he lost only one period all day and that was the first period in the finals. Saitiev ended up making history, winning his third gold medal. His technique just blows everybody else's away. If you havent watched his final match try get a hold of it.

Doug Schwab lost as well. It just didnt seem like he could get anything going against the Ukrainian. He was carried through into the afternoon session when the Ukrainian made the finals. He lost to the Indian wrestler in apretty exciting match. He was able to pull a period out of there but couldnt come away with the win.

Today Silent H, Daniel Cormier, and Steve Mocco are going to try to add to our one gold medal.

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Bcn August 23 at 3:55am.

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How can you blame the coaches for Daniels kidney failure? The OTC coaches don't pick the team and they can't kick wrestlers off the team. Most Freestyle Olympians don't live at the OTC, they basically coach an all-star team for the Olympics, with the exception of Henry and Steven. Most of the wrestlers have their personal coaches with them. Every Olympian is responsible for themselves, the coaches will help them if they will accept the help. The coaches can't make Daniel do anything he doesn't want to do. They have no power

Matt August 21 at 9:46pm.

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What has happened to the U.S. wrestlers on the international scene. One placer at worlds and olympics. That's not U.S. wrestling. Maybe they should have been drilling instead of shopping.

Truth August 21 at 7:46pm.

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for the millionth time said. cormier made weight. but he cut so hard his kidney failed! i don't call that being selfish. yes it was dissapointing but it was even more dissapointing for him. i do think some responsibility falls on the coaching staff, and cormier as well. he should have cut the weight more properly, but he is going through enough self shame he doesn't need any help from you.

Awestruck August 21 at 3:47pm.

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Some of these international guys are real horses. I'm thinking of the Ukrainian planting Schwab for three points from the standing position, and the Iranian bodylocking Mocco to his back for 3. The combo of strength, explosiveness and technique is pretty amazing. I think it's been a while since either of them (Schwab or Mocco) have had something like that done to them. I'm not sure they thought anyone could do that to them.

Straight Talker August 21 at 3:33pm.

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For all practical purposes, Cormier didn't make weight. At this level, that's simply inexcusable. And it's not just the athlete, it's the coaching staff too. How could they let that happen? Obviously, they're not on top of things the way they need to be because even if the athlete's only thinking of himself, they've got to be thinking of the sport and of the country, of the institution of wrestling.

And for those of us who love and respect our sport, that's a crying shame.

Ben August 21 at 3:01pm.

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It is a Blog post, not an ESPN story, Brandon...

Twilly August 21 at 11:13am.

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Cormier, withdrew after making weight. He had some physical problems due to making weight. I surely don't know the whole story, but I agree that it is disappointing that something like this happens. I mean, its not as though Cormier was a lean guy. Couldn't he just eat a little better, starting back a month ago and lose some fat...then not have to suck so much water. Good luck to Cormier...I hope he gets another chance at a World Medal.

Brandon August 21 at 10:09am.

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I am grown, its just that i'm making an observation and he sounds like a douche bag.

Da Trufe Hurts August 21 at 9:36am.

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all three out...................Ben just needs more time on the international stage he will be gold in London............

Deral Brown August 21 at 9:22am.

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Are you serious Brandon?

Do things like this bother you that much?
Lets grow up...

Brandon August 21 at 8:06am.

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boy, who taught you how to write? you have alot of run-on sentences, gramatical errors, and you suck at writing all together. please quit writing blogs. i beg you? and improve on your interviews, because you sound like you don't know what the hell your talking about. you sound really really dumb.

Ed The Doober August 20 at 10:57pm.

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There is no reason that a wrestler as fat as Cormier should have to withdraw from the Olympics due to dehydration. He should have been on weight weeks ago. All he had to go on was a mild diet. Not some starvation-crazed, dehydrating fit like a lot of other top wrestlers who have 3% body fat percentages have to go through. He was a jellybean pure and simple and he let down this country by not being responsible enough to make weight.

Matt August 20 at 9:21pm.