Wrestling Blogs - Ben Askren

Dude just lost his house right here.

wow give me your house

I don't what he has done i am not an American and don't care about folkstyle
If your going to talk the talk walk the walk
Saitiev would have destroyed him if they met

usa wrestling has millions their sittin on ...why should their athletes feel unwanted .......the russian club wrestlers have family ....usa wrestling doesnt support that...and is why Ba. feels wrestling cant offer him a life of prosperity(outside of wealth)...show us the money already... we work harder than any other athlete period!

Askren will not enter mma he is just trying to get attention like he has always done. I'd put the house on it! But it would be funny to see him get smacked around

EVERYONE... keep in mind all of the accomplishments B.A. has achieved. He is a GREAT wrestler who fell short of a goal he had set for himself. So he talked about it a little...WHO CARES! The most important thing to accomplishing a goal is believing its going to happen. Doesn't always mean it will. If he would have won GOLD all you people would be kissing his butt. Seeing that he didn't, your going to bash him??? Keep in mind he has done a lot more in wrestling than any of you idiots have or will, and he would probably enjoy getting some of you bashers out on the mat as much as i would. So SHUT UP and be thankful he is not only a great wrestler but a kind enough to open up and speak to us about stuff a lot of wrestlers wouldn't. B.A. has been nothing but a great promoter of the sport we all love.

Have not been on in a while, mostly because this site sucks now, but more so it is the off season for me. It is refreshing to see people giving it to the loud mouth, classless bum Ass-kren. We could only be so lucky to have him join the MMA and watch 1 of 12 different fighters beat the bejesus out of him. Can't wait.

your a joke

I heard a lot about Ben Askren, didn't really see a lot from him though.

The empty vessel makes the most noise.

“When men are most sure and arrogant they are commonly most mistaken, giving views to passion without that proper deliberation which alone can secure them from the grossest absurdities”...Some smart guy

Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sometimes sail with the wind and sometimes against it. But sail we must, and not drift, nor lie at anchor... Oliver Wendell Holmes

Yours has been an incredible journey my friend and I'm sure, after some rest, it will continue. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us along the way.
You have my respect.

Sanderson was one of a kind. Let these incredible wrestlers be there own person.

I appreciate hearing the thoughts of someone going through things that I will never have the chance to participate in.
Until negative sentiment from our more animal instincts makes these champions close us off.

Childishly deriding what you think? Come on Askren, it is your choice to share you're "innermost thoughts" with us. Don't be so sensitive if what we think is y, stupid, B.S, etc. There have been plenty of athletes in all sports who have talked a big game but then back it up. If you would have backed it up my post now would be congratulating you. However, now you will be remembered as a great wrestler with a big mouth. Sanderson felt the pressure, but he handled it with humility and class. Thank you for telling us exactly what you think when asked a question, but maybe you should practice being like Cael in front of the microphone...or on a blog.

What's the latest on Cormier? Any news?

There's a simple answer to Ben's dilemma. I would ask Ben if he truly loves wrestling.....I mean really love it. The real american legends in our sport loved the sport and devoted themselves completely.......Gable, Peterson brothers, Shultz brothers, Smith, Baumgartner, Kemp, Lewis, Monday, Sanders, just to name a very few. These guys stayed on in wrestling not just to chase a gold medal but because they'd rather wrestle than do anything else. Winning and gold medals follow if you have the kind of love that these guys had. Wrestling is a tough sport and I don't think anyone can devote themselves 100% if they don't truly love it. Ben, if after a few months you come to the conclusion that you love MMA or coaching or something else more than you love wrestling than follow what you love. If its wrestling that you truly love to do, than commit yourself to it. Don't let one set back drive you to give up something you love. There's no better way to spend the days of your life than doing something you love....even if it doesn't turn into a gold medal. I believe that in part this is what accounts for the success of the Russians. They love the sport. How else can a guy like Satiev stay with it for 4 olympics and 6 world championships. It surely is not to accumulate one more medal. I would say the same for John Smith. From watching and listening to him its obvious that during his time he wanted to do nothing else but compete in wrestling. With that devotion I would consider him a success even without his medals.

Ben,

Regardless of what everyone says, positive or negative, I appriciate you and what you've brought to the sport of wrestling. Most of you're critics will never be on your level anyway, so they don't understand the pressure of always having to win and be the best.
Now, would I like to see you stick around and win a gold medal in the future? Uh, yeah! But, with that said I'd be just as supportive if you went into MMA. You're the man, stay positive.
Later

I've always preferred the windpipe choke as opposed to the classical Brazilian artery choke. Doesn't everyone?

ben,
you are one of the best wrestlers known whatever you do, people will be behind you. you don't have anything to prove to wrestlers across America, you represented America and your sport to the best of your ability and no one can knock you for that. Best of luck

ben,
these people are haters. you are a character and awesome wrestler. i have followed your journey to the olympics and you have inspired me. i hope the best for you in whatever you chose to do in the future.

TMac-NOT wrote: Anyone looking to a diety for happiness or self-peace is never going to find it. // Ben, think long and hard before weighing the value of the above statement. This appears to be based on one person's limited experience. To make a statement like TMac wrote, the author needs to ignore the testimony of millions and millions and millions of people. How smart is it to make a blanket statement and universal statement that those looking to God for inner peace are never going to find it when millions and millions of people will give testimony to the exact opposite? Millions and millions of people will say that God is the author of inner peace. That is an objective fact, objective reality, objective truth and not TMac's inner feeling of what other people will give testimony to or not give testimony to.

Listen to TMac, Ben. He is a Reformed Catholic. He has seen the error of his ways. Beethoven, Augustine, Galileo, Thomas Aquinas, Michaelangelo, Mother Theresa and all of the other fools who's works of art, architecture, philosophy, charity and science resonate throughout the ages..these idiot Catholics did not have the wisdom of TMac..Please Ben, as you continue your journey in life (which we're all apparently obsessed with) always recall the timeless words of Tmac.

ben, after reading everyone else's comments, i just want you to know that you need to do whatever makes you happy. You have no obligation to your fans to win a gold medal. You've given us plenty. You have no obligation to your fans to fight mma, you're collegiate and freestyle career was plenty. I personally would love to see you go after either one, especially mma because it is a completely new challenge for you, and I think you have what it takes to bring new things to that sport along with some of the legitamacy it really needs. But bottom line is you have to do what will make you happy. One other commentor said that you would never live down not winning the gold, and that when you look back on your death bed, would you give up every day between now and then to have one more shot at gold. well, if that ends up being the case, then your life will have been shallow and empty, and it would make you a sad, sad case. You went up against the best in the world, and you gave your all as you always do. At that level anything can happen, especially with the master of funk on the mat. Personally I hope you fight mma because you bring so much to the table, including the one thing most wrestlers dont in that sport, which is excitement. If you choose to continue freestyle wrestling, switch to greco, just coach from here on it, fight, pursue further education, go into charity work, whatever, I'll still be grateful for the great moments you've given us already, and I wish you luck. Someone else did mention something about belief in Jesus, and personally I am a reformed Catholic, and have seen the error of my ways. Religion is not for me, and I believe it only hinders others. But I'll leave you with this. Anyone looking to a diety for happiness or self-peace is never going to find it. Regardless of your belief in whatever diety you choose, true happiness has to come from inside yourself, from you doin what you feel you are meant to do in this life. Not because someone else pressured you into it, or because you imagined that God laid a path for you, but because you choose to make it so.

Cael: humble, quiet, appreciative, decisive. A man of few words who allows his actions to speak for him.

Askren: the complete opposite.

Ben, you wrote: I have gotten to the point where i have to win everything all the time. // Consider this...a person strives to wrestle with more speed than they have ever wrestled before...a person strives to wrestle with more strength than they have ever wrestled before...a person strives to wrestle with more skill than they have ever wrestled before...a person strives to perform better than they have ever performed before...a person strives to be in the best physical condition of one's adult life... //

Ben, while I cannot presume to speak for the masses, I can tell you that my family and I are extremely proud of you for your accomplishments and your tireless work ethic. The facts, as I see them, line up like this: you have been and will continue to be an inspiration to young scholar athletes across the US. It might not be a gold metal from Beijing, but it is a significant legacy nonetheless.

As far as the whole MMA or London scenario, why not both? I'm sure that you are just the character to make it all work to your advantage. As a true innovator in Folk Style wrestling, I have little doubt that you could have a significant impact in the BJJ world. Hell, by the time you get your black belt you will probably have advanced the sport to the level where MMA players aspire to learn Askren Jiu Jitsu. Now wouldn't that give the Russians fits in London.
Good luck, have fun, and keep putting the chin into whatever venture you find yourself dedicated to. Smart and strong - what a concept.
See you around town. Sincerely, a fellow 'Sconnie in Columbia.
p.s. Go Mizzou!

You are a hero to this community. yeah I know, sucks for you, but many of us are starting to feel like that kid who just found out that Shoeless Joe Jackson and his team threw the World Series. Lest we forget that 99.9999% of MMA fighters barely make enough money to survive anyway, even many UFC regulars live in their friend's basements and never get any real money and those guys are absolute KILLERS, which I really don't see in you. You are a gifted wrestler Ben, and as time goes on I really don't believe that you'll lose sight of your goals. You've become a master of your craft, don't let 1 loss to a very experienced wrestler deter you. You are the chosen one Baskren, you are the one who will bring balance to the force. Be mindful of your thoughts young one.

There were comments made by Ben about resources, compensation, dinero, etc. Part of the natural law is to preserve oneself in existence. Another part of the natural law is to perpetuate a successor, successors, and a succeeding generation. Following these things are good. A person definitely doesn't want to make money an idol or false god. It is right, just, proper, etc. to work towards preserving oneself in existence or to perpetuate a successor. Ben, you may want to consider taking some graduate courses or working towards a second bachelors. A second bachelors may not be that difficult because your general education work is already done. I read something about Chris Campbell and eventually earning a law degree. From the little that I know, you are undecided to a degree about the divinity of Christ. The reason I bring that up is because for one who more strongly believes in the divinity of Christ, part of the gospel and part of Christian living is developing one's talents. (The parable of the talents) In addition, from a purely secular point of view, it is natural to want to develop oneself and one's personality. These are some of my reasons for bringing the option of additional coursework to your mind.

Personally, if I knew you or if we were brothers or something, I would suggest that you consider shying away from fighting. My reasons for this include that additional coursework is going to have more enduring consequences on the rest of your life and your ability to serve your neighbor/contribute to society in a way that fits you 30 years from now. Another reason for this is that sports are like "art" in a certain way. Sure, it is "work" because of the effort involved but it is not "work" in the sense of laying railroad tracks across the united states. The "product" of wrestling is not like the "product" of building a dam to harvest electricity. The "product" of wrestling is the wrestling itself, the art of it. Fighting may be beneath wrestling in this "art imitates life, life imitates art" aspect."
In closing, I'd like to point out a couple of economic realities and trends over the last decades that you may want to consider regarding taking additional coursework. (1) The rise of the computer chip/increased automation - i can remember when my family got our first microwave and VCR. (2) The rise of more nations that were more...[I hate to use the word but can't think of a better one]...the rise of nations that were more "primitive" 150 years ago. (3) The increased cost of raw materials with the whole global village thing...look at the cost of gas, look at the price to buy a little plot of land.
Best wishes!!!
Best wishes in whichever way you decide to serve your neighbor and contribute to society!!!

Ben no matter what you do I'll be a fan. You are an insperation to us all and have made me work harder to reach my goals off the mat. I want to thank you for your blog and making this olympics the funniest i've followed. Don't cut you hair again!!
HAHAHAHAH! Good luck.

Ben-All my wrestling career I have always been so-so. I never even competed at a state tournament in high school. But your hard work ethic and your ability to have a completely different style than everyone else has shown me what can be accomplished in this sport. I just wanted you to know that you were a major factor in my first state title in december. Thank you so much and good luck with everything and anything you do.

Its funny, two months ago everyone was talking about how Ben would never make the team, then he was attacked for not being a graceful champion at the trials. Now that he might leave everyone is realizing how great he is for this sport in our country. Ben, do what makes you happy. But the bottom line is dying in your bed many years from now, would you trade all the days from this day to that to come back for just one chance to win a GOLD? You can win all the MMA fights you want (by the way you're not beating GSP no offense) and rake in all the money you can. But you can't buy gold son!

Teh one who calls himself Mature One is a complete , but Benny, If you don't deliver on your promise you will never forgive yourself. Even if you become the greatest MMA fighter in the world. Let's face it though, you're about as athletic as a pot bellied pig, and you know it. One thing's for sure, you are an amazing wrestler and you are Olympic GOLD Material, but if you back down now, you'll regret it for life. The worst part is that at that time, you'll probably be too old to get it back. Take a few to relax, then get back to work on doing what you said you'd do. Not for me, not for anyone else here, but for you because you are a Champion and you need to do this for you. ASKREN 2012 OLYMPIC CHAMPION!! There, I'll say it for you this time. You've got a whole country on your back, now cowboy up and do it.

Mature One - Wouldn't amount to anything? You're just seeking a reaction or perhaps you or a friend or loved one got smoked by Askren on the mat. A two time NCAA champ and Olympian. Gee, you're right; he never amounted to anything.

Has his behavior occasionally bordered on arrogance? I think so. Was he humbled in Bejing? Yes. Is he a highly accomplished and gifted (and singularly entertaining) wrestler? Without question.

You promised us an Olympic Gold Medal. Don't wuss out now man, finish what you started. Or has it been so long since you've lost that you can't handle bouncing back? You made ALOT of bold claims man. If you don't follow through now, you'll just be a y loud-mouth. You guaranteed gold, now be a man and go get it!

Ben, My hat is off to you as usual. Great job of "keeping your chin up" Give me a call when you are going to be in Bettendorf, so we can play a round. Congratulations!

Ben, I admire you and all your accomplishments including your biggest accomplishment of becoming a member of the USA Olympic team. I admire the fact you are man enough to face the know nothing idiots on this board and admit you came up a bit short. I first heard your name uttered by my 14 y/o son after his experience at the Tiger Style Wrestling Camp the summer before your junior year at Mizzou. My son told me a story from that camp where you came into the dorm and hung out in his room and talked to him and his team mates about the importance of grades in HS. My son brought the Mizzou Wrestling team poster home that year and hung it on his wall and pointed to your picture saying Dad see the guy with the wild hair he is a beast (a huge compliment from a 14y/o wrestler). Our family and wrestling community have since followed every move you make. 5 minutes of your time with my son 3 years ago has made him a better person and better wrestler and i thank-you for that. You have made this sport exciting and relevant. You will always be a champ in our eyes! Can't wait to see you in Max's corner this upcoming season.

Ben, I know that you are down on yourself right now. Understand from the whole wrestling community that you didn't fail us. We failed you. Our support could be better. Our financial help could be better. Also our program could be better. I would like to call on all wrestlers to not continue in the status quo. MAKE Wrestling better for the for everyone. I am calling for a grass roots effort by everyone to make it better. In the last year I have seen EGO's and EGO's and EGO's in our sport. EGO's don't work to help truely top notch wrestlers like Ben to reach his personal goals or the goals of our sport and country. Start working at the Grass roots to make it better. Think of the kids, the men that wrestle. Make this the premier sport that it once was. To Ben, great effort. I look forward to seeing you wrestle again. You are the greatest keep the faith.

in whatever you choose to do just have fun. You really dont have to listen to anyone. All these comments people put up shouldnt bother you. if you decide to fight, then fight. And if you wanna keep wrestling, keep wrestling. whatever makes you happy. because if you wrestle and you dont really want to, well of course youll want to, but not want it as much as you did then dont do it, if that makes any sense. Do what you really want to do and itll work out. ill be happy to see you beat GSP or Satiev. Just dominate fool.

Ben will have fun and be the best at whatever he chooses. If that means wrestling, fighting or having his own cooking show. This guy will have an impact in whatever he is involved in and that is what makes him.....Ben. I hope he sticks with wrestling, but that is the fan in me talking. I really appreciate his courage and how he puts himself out there. He is just getting started and we will hear alot more about him wherever he is. Also pretty cool how he's staying to help his brother.

Ben, please don't leave wrestling. America needs wrestlers like you! I think I speak for most sane wrestlers when I say that hope you will keep wrestling.

If it truly isn't about the monetary gain I can't see why you wouldn't choose wrestling. Here's a sport you've trained your entire life and have become one of the very best in our entire country. Now you have a chance to become one of the best in the world. You are right on the cusp. Not many have that ability or opportunity. You want to throw all of that away so you can join a sport where you not only will be way behind the learning curve, but also where you can literally get you azz kicked? The guys in MMA are second tier wrestlers (compared to you) or wrestlers who are past their prime in wrestling. You are neither of those bro and have a chance to become a true WORLD CHAMPION. At least go all around the world this year or for a year after your bro graduates and actually see where you stand internationally and then give the world championships a shot. You know you want to wrestle Saitiev at least once. See where you really stack up. You can't judge too much off of that one match at the Olympics. You want less pressure? Quit making predictions and just enjoy the moment.

focus on wrestling pick up some bjj, striking in spare time. I know its a lot of pressure but pressure comes with a big presence. If you jump ship to MMA others will follow. Make wrestling yours. Leave the MMA to GSP. Askren 2012!! By the way love how you subtly put the hating posters into place. Have a great day, I know I will.

Or I have a better one Big Ben for your new MMA nickname. In the spirit of good health, we all know Vitamin C is good for you so you can call yourself Ben Ascorbic Acid Askren! That way everybody knows you are the model of good health!

Good luck in MMA Ben!!! I have a catchy UFC type name for you too...BEN THE ASSASSIN ASKREN!

let me know when you're heading up to the northwest.

Good job Ben. When your up for a disk golf road trip let me know. We have 4 great courses within 25 miles. I'm only about 2 1/2 north of Columbia.

I hope to watch you on the wrestling mat AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN and AGAIN!!!!!!! You are an unbelieveable wrestler, you do unbelieveable things on the mat, you have what it takes, you will wear GOLD.

well ben you have had a great career, that is if you plan on ending it. i will respect your decision no matter what. you wrestle for your self and no one else, i do the same. good luck. but i would love to see you fight george st. pierre

Ben is his own man, but how incredible would it be to see both Askren brothers representing the good ole U.S. of A. in London. A team with Cejudo, Metcalf and both Askrens.......I might go ahead and make reservations for 2012 now. A man can dream.........

Say it aint so Ben, say it aint so.

I say this with the upmost respect - "So that was it?" One run at it and it's over. Please say it ain't so....Guys like you are in short demand, you make the sport exciting, you have the ability to get to the top and you have the charisma to promote wrestling to a bigger audiance (most wrestlers / coaches through no fault of their own have the personality of cavemen - myself included).

If that was possibly it or you are going to train half time for next year as a fan of wrestling I kinda feel jipped.
Good luck though - you gotta live for you.

Ben you are a champion you have put Mizzou wrestling on the map,I think you are feeling the blues from China but that will pass.I know down deep in 2012 you will be our wrestler.Make sure max beats that Jake Varner he has moved up a weight class.Also If Raymond Jordan gets past Mike Pucillio he is an NCAA champ.Columbia is proud of you Ben.

your personality is what makes you and wrestling fun to watch. Before you wrestling just wasnt as cool as it is now

Thanks for writing Ben, wish you the best and thanks for all you've done. Take a nice break and come back swinging!

Enjoy your vacations. You have more than earned the time off. What ever decision you make I am sure that you will be successful at. Enjoy your time coaching at Mizzou. Make sure Nick Marable makes the NCAA finals next year.

Losing 1 match to a very good wrestler is nothing to be ashamed about. Hell, I've lost lots of matches to people who I didn't even think were good at all. Giant Chin Up Ben, by 2012, you can dominate the games.

my son and i live in oklahoma. we will never forget watching you in the finals a couple years back in OKC, w/ that big hair flapping. apologies for not remembering the other guys name, but we sat there talking about how the other guy was getting all pumped up, slapping himslef and so on, and you were just being you, nonchalantly jogging in place (again, hair flapping). you then commeneced to kicking the crap outta him lol. your an amazing wrestler, so fun to watch. know that youve been an inspiration to countless young wrestlers everywhere.

I didn't even know the sport of wrestling was on the radar until I saw you wrestle at Mizzou...now, I can't wait for the next season. I am really looking forward to seeing you in the red, white and blue in 2012. Congratulations on all of your outstanding accomplishments this year!

Seriously Ben people want to see you again and you will be aweosme, cant wait for 2009.

Ben - Thank you for sharing your journy with us. We hope to see you sporting the "Stars & Stripes" in 2012!! Wrestling needs your Flash & Funk!!

Ben~~Thanks for repesenting the US...You Truly are a "Great Champion"...Hey China just wasn't ur "TIME"...u will only get better from being there...Good Luck..in what ever u do...ur Time will come...Thanks again..

Thanks for your thoughts, Ben. We appreciate you and will be watching you and Max in the future.

your a cool guy I hope I get to meet you sometime.Thanks again

My family will always root for the chin, wether it be in MMA or USA wrestling. Great athlete and great person.