Wrestling Blogs - Noel Thompson

We approach the arena we walk through the corridors. Security guards approache us as they prepare to battle the crowd.

A camera flash goes of then another and another.

The media has found us they are intrigued by Americans in Tehran.

Our wrestlers today took the back entrance with the coaches.

Novo, Dave & I are in a paparazzi fiesta…

These people live sleep and breathe wrestling.

The US team is like an interesting society that very rarely ventures into this part of the world.

I look up above. Hanging is a banner with the Supreme leader Iman Komeni. There is a slogan attached to the picture that say's "peace and happiness for sport".

There are two elevated wrestling mats. Persian rugs cover the floor of the arena.

If there were style points in wrestling I give Iran a 10 for the setup.

I warm up with Mike Tamillow ,as the associated press looks on and takes pictures.

He feels tough but he is up against the eventual champion first round. The Junior World Silver medalist.

We are wait in the corridor before the match as the Persian war drums begin to beat.

It sounds like a Native American war cry before the battle as if to give strength to their people.

The persian horns begins to blow, then the war drums begin to beat in sync with the chanting crowd.  IRAN!!! IRAN!!! IRAN!!!

I look at Tamillow and say be ready to wrestle when you step out there.

The first session did not go so well. We leave the arena. The fun has dissipated for a moment. Since wrestling is a thankless sport. You do it because you love it and nothing else. The only thing fun about wrestling is getting your hand raised!!!
The best thing you get out of wrestling is the journey the process of accomplishing goals. That lays the ground work for success.

Wrestling is a way of life!!!

Zeke and Slay prepare Tamillow for the come back.  We are leaving the lobby Tamillow is focused. He comes back and takes 3rd beating a tough Iranian opponent.

In life as in wrestling you only can put yourself in the best situation to win and let the chips fall as they may.  Hard work does not always translate into a win, but it does increase your odds of winning.

Zadick did not make weight competing up at 66kg is a tough task in the heart of Persia.

We celebrate Tamillow’s Bronze Medal he represented the NYAC well.

The Iranian coaches and a large Persian contingent also celebrate with us. They want us to succeed we are a welcome adversary in wrestling.

We go to a Tearoom where we took over 300 pictures with fans locals etc…
Maybe we are in a bubble in this city because of the comrade wrestlers have with each other globally.

We go back to the hotel.

There is a wedding reception going on. I’m excited to see what they do for these occasions I ask the guard why aren’t there any women in the room if this is a wedding reception.

He says the women also have a room, which separate from the men.

I think to myself , I would be heart broken not to be in my wedding reception with my bride.

The guard says this is “law for public places” in Farsi. I look at him and say I understand and respect your culture.

Maybe what makes us different makes us more curious about each other. But it also made me love the free world a little more and appreciate those little things.

I have uploaded more video snippets of the tournament from my Flipcam Mino

Enjoy

Coming Soon: The Test of Wills, The Final Day of the Tatki Cup.