Otar Tushishvili » 66kg Brent Metcalf USA- vs. Otar Tushishvili Georgia-

Otar is a cool name

this guys chest/back is so big it looks like he has a hump

Americans need to hop off the russians .

Sad to say but brent is not a good scrambler. in freestyle it's not about the conditioning. it's also dissappointing the lack of effort put into turning an opponent. not real crazy about the rule changes over the last couple of years. one thing that has not changed is russia owning the sport.

All these posts got me really thinking the tie-ups that we as Americans use, so when I had the awesome opportunity tonight to check out a collegiate club practice, I jumped. After watching several LIVE goes, it became apparent to me why the Russians think of us as one-dimensional in our hand-fighting. We Americans have these kids in fantastic shape who clobber away at their opponents head as a primary set-up, this style works great against state side opponents, however it is easy to see how this style is also neutralized by foreign opponents simply tying up our wrists (to stop our attack). I want to make it clear that I do not mean in any way to bash Folk style, Iowa, exc. After watching our high caliber athletes, I have no doubt they can catch right back up with the rest of the world by simply becoming more savvy in the hand fighting chess match.

If you learn to wrestle just like the Russians, even when you wrestle folkstyle you will win. It has nothing to do with style, rules, or conditioning; it is due to their better technique and philosophy. This better technique and philosophy is not unique to Russians. Anybody can learn it. Just ask the champ from India.

Watch all the matches from Worlds. All the winning wrestlers wrestle the same no matter what country they come from. Only a fool would not try to imitate the champs. Then look at the details of each takedown and counter and ask what difference folkstyle would have made on each position. The fact is little to none.

I guess Metcalf needs to learn how to stall better. Maybe its Brand's fault, and he should be fired.

Shane i think you are correct!!! i dont think metcalf broke that plain!! i think if this goes another period the georgian doesnt win!! these rules favor the european wrestlers. conditioning no longer is a factor it seems!!

I think americans need to get rid of the high-crotch or head outside single-leg attack when they compete internationally. It obviously is not a shot that works very well in freestyle. If you watch the good international freestyle wrestlers they always shoot head inside. They might use a high-crotch penetration but they always turn head to the inside and circle to the back immediately. (less chance for the defender to square up) If you wanna shoot straight on in freestyle you better have some power behind it. PS there is a difference between power and strength. These international guys may be slow motion most of the match but they definitely have explosiveness when they actually go for something!

Wow! Tushishvili didn't even get a medal, and he pretty much owned Metcalf. In the first period, you can clearly see that Metcalf didn't have the technique to handle Tushishvili. In the second period, after Tushishvili had a comfortable lead, he gave up a few takedowns in order to avoid risk of exposure. Good strategy.

I with NoGiWrestle, each period in folkstyle should start in neutral position. Bottom is very boring in folkstyle, and it generally consumes more than half the time of a match. Seriously, nobody wants to watch some dude crawl around on all fours for few minutes. It might take good condition to be a good crawler, but it's boring as watching grass grow.

I just watched one of Gelogaev's matches from the 09 season. He is obviously very comfortable on the feet and has no trouble giving the Penn State wrestler all kinds of problems with his head ties and such...However, once it is Gelogaev's turn to start in the top position he only tries twice to hold his opponent down (both times the wrestlers went out of bounds) before using the international start and going back to the feet. So really he was still wrestling more of a "free" style albeit a functioning tactic and a bit less risky in folkstyle with no exposure points to worry about. I think folkstyle should stay but the rules should be adjusted...... each period should start on the feet, push-outs should be 1pt, etc. I have been wrestling since I was 5yrs old and although a never a freestyler I really do like the neutral position wrestling freestyle brings....I have been a die hard fan my whole life and I think obviously a change is in order. Just my thoughts.

It might not be a big deal but if you want to be accurate, Gelogaev spent a year training in Stillwater with the Okie State team before last season started. So it was much more than 6 months of training in folkstyle.

USA Wrestling Rules! Folkstyle is awesome! We are so good at folkstyle that we dont even need to go to the world championships any more. I mean seriously, Russia sends a guy over here(Gelogeav) and AA's in his first folkstyle season ever, HE GOT SOOOOO LUCKY. Folkstyle is way more exciting too! Especially when you get to play the out of bounds line because your defense sucks.... I love how that works! We are very TOUGH! We have great conditioning man havent you ever noticed???

If I were to choose a NCAA Title or a World/Olympic Title that is a no-brainer! NCAA All the WAY! I am the best head-snapper there ever was, so its a natural choice... I could always wrestle for hours, days even, without a break...
These wussy international guys could barely last 6 minutes. If you add that extra minute to the first period for extra head-snapping, we are back in business baby! Then I would definitely prefer an international Gold and the Title of "Worlds Best Head-Snapper" and all of these foreigners would bow to my greatness.
My technique is good on fresh guys, but my technique is just AWESOME when those guys get tired. Folkstyle baby, folkstyle.