Wrestling Blogs - Joe Williamson

Well, I just got back from a trek to find some internet. After several subway rides and walks I found a McDonalds. They said they had free wifi. Unfortunately it kicks you off after 30 minutes and that is not enough time to get even a match up. This trend has made me very frustrated all trip. Luckily the wrestling was so fun to watch, it was like therapy. This experience was amazing and I urge anyone who can to check it out. Just remember to bring your own interpreter.

The one part of this trip that I am really upset about is the lack of interviews. The few people that I could communicate with did not want to help, they explained that their English was not good enough. During the last day of competition, I got really excited when I had an interview lined up with B.Saitiev. I had an interpreter and he scheduled the interview. I had time to get to a cafe, get a video up, and get back to meet them. I even paid 400 rubles for a 2 kilometer taxi ride, (I am sure I got ripped off but I did not want to waste time arguing) that is about 16 dollars, so I would have plenty of time. When I got back were walking to meet Saitiev the interpreter and I was stopped by an affiliate of the RWF (Russian Wrestling Federation). They told me that they needed to prepare questions before the interview. I was extremely upset and knew that it was going to be a bad deal. First of all I want to ask the questions we all want to hear, not what they want us to hear, second of all it is B.S that they have the power to do that (It is like denying people the opportunity to watch a competition when there is a means to when they are not present). Anyways, they had me wait for them to return and they never did, I was fired up. At least they let me film the matches and post them for the public. I guess it is like a trade off.

I have so much more to say. Tigran (from the finals preview video) informed me all about the monetary incentives that the wrestlers and coaches have from the RWF and an individual oil man. It is very interesting. I will tell you about it next time. For now I need to take a shower, I am in the same clothes I was in for the last day of finals and the 9 hour train ride that followed. I am sure that the airport will have some internet. I will talk to you guys then.