Am I missing something? This was Zain's first loss in a while, at a weight that is below what he was wrestling at in college. He lost by 2 points, to the reigning NCAA champion at 141... Which translates to 65kg (143 lbs.) that the bout was fought at.
Seems to me that Zain might have been at a disadvantage, considering he needed to lose at least 5-6 lbs. to make weight in what... about 3-4 weeks? I don't think that can be discounted here. In fact, he was up in the match until Yianni came back and scored some points late. It's usual for kids dropping weight to lose steam in later rounds.
Or am I crazy? Just seems like some are saying it's over for Zain, but looking at that match I just seem some obvious things which were in Yianni's favor.
Last thing... Does anyone know why Zain wrestles at 65kg for worlds and not 70kg? Seems weird to me considering he's in the 149 bracket in NCAA's, which seems closer to 70kg to me... but I'm not that into wrestling so any explanation is appreciated.
I don’t know, Freestyle is such a different animal though not as much as Greco Roman. First, I think 65 is Zain’s preferred weight allowing him to maximize strength without hurtful energy loss. As for international weight classifications I think they need to insert 1 maybe 2 weights to allow more participants. Yianni is a freak and could likely be a 4x folkstyle champ like Kyle Dake. As good as Zain is, Yianni is being talked about as a generational type talent much like Dake, Gable and yes Sanderson. As for moving up to 70 he would have to contend with Nolf who lost to Veteran freestyler James Green who inexplicably lost to Deakin, go figure that out...like I said before, freestyle is a different animal with scoring so convoluted you would think they are making it up on the fly. Last comment on Zain, he barely lost to Yianni in world’s on one of those crazy last minute push outs. Hope this helps, it doesn’t me.
Here are the partisans from thecrecenly completed US Open. 65 looks like murderes row.
65 kg
Final X: 2019 U.S Open Champion - Yianni Diakomihalis (Finger Lakes WC)
2018 U23 Men’s Freestyle World Team Trials champion – Mitch McKee (Gopher WC)
2018 U23 Men’s Freestyle World Team member – Colton McCrystal (Nebraska WTC)
2018 Junior Men’s Freestyle World Team member – Dom Demas (OKRTC)
2018 Junior Men’s Freestyle World Team member – Joshua Saunders (Titan Mercury)
2019 Dave Schultz highest placer – Bernard Futrell (Titan Mercury/Penn RTC)
U.S. Open runner-up - Zain Retherford (Nittany Lion WC)
U.S. Open third - Jayson Ness (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Open fourth - Frank Molinaro (OKRTC)
U.S. Open fifth - Jaydin Eierman (Titan Mercury WC)
U.S. Open sixth - Jordan Oliver (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Open seventh - Kanen Storr (Michigan)
2019 Northeast Regional highest placer
70 kg
Final X: 2019 U.S Open Champion - Ryan Deakin (Chicago-RTC)
2018 Senior Men’s Freestyle World Team member – James Green (Sunkist Kids)
2018 U23 Men’s Freestyle World Team member – Hayden Hidlay (Wolfpack RTC)
2018 Junior Men’s Freestyle World Team member – Brady Berge (Nittany Lion WC)
2019 NCAA Division I champion – Jason Nolf (157 pounds) (Nittany Lion WC)
2019 NCAA Division I champion – Anthony Ashnault (149 pounds) (NJRTC)
2019 Dave Schultz highest placer – Frank Molinaro (Titan Mercury WC/OKRTC)
U.S. Open fourth - Alec Pantaleo (Michigan)
U.S. Open fifth - Brandon Sorenson (Hawkeye WC)
U.S. Open sixth - Nazar Kulchytskyy (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Open seventh - Jason Chamberlain (Valley RTC)
2019 Northeast Regional highest placer
Thanks!!
Yianni is a beast. Zain may never beat him. This could mean Zain’s career is over. Guys like him only continue if they have a shot at an Olympic or World medal.
Zain was a top PSU student. He will be fine.
Yianni is a beast. Zain may never beat him. This could mean Zain’s career is over. Guys like him only continue if they have a shot at an Olympic or World medal.
Zain was a top PSU student. He will be fine.
A two point loss to "a beast", and you are saying his career might be over?
My lord, that's giving up on someone awful quick.
Retheford made some mistakes he won’t make again. Watch the video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=jpCEFTODxZs
Yianni is a beast. Zain may never beat him. This could mean Zain’s career is over. Guys like him only continue if they have a shot at an Olympic or World medal.
Zain was a top PSU student. He will be fine.
A two point loss to "a beast", and you are saying his career might be over?
My lord, that's giving up on someone awful quick.
The tough part for Zain is that he is at least 3 years older than Yianni who may turn out to be one of the best ever. Kid has unbelievable talent. I’m a fan so my opinion means nothing. I don’t think anyone is giving up on Rutherford. He may turn out internationally to be like Steiber.
Cave, did you fix it so the video would play on my post? Thanks in advance if you did, I swear, I am my dad’s blinking VCR.
Cave, did you fix it so the video would play on my post? Thanks in advance if you did, I swear, I am my dad’s blinking VCR.
Zain needs more experience competing internationally.
Maybe but he is still the best at that weight for the USA and has more experience than Yianni. I think Zain has that Dan Gable mentality and toughness that he only gets better with every challenge.
Maybe but he is still the best at that weight for the USA and has more experience than Yianni. I think Zain has that Dan Gable mentality and toughness that he only gets better with every challenge.
I agree. He may be in the toughest weight in the world. Yanni is very talented and the next go around will not be a sure thing for either guy. I’m hoping Zain hits every international event that he can. He needs that experience to be prepared for the Trials and hopefully the Olympics.
