The Olympic Games are in full-swing as this is written (prior to 8/14). While TeamUSA continues to dominate in swimming and gymnastics, I continue to hold my breath for wrestling, another ancient sport, which starts on Sunday, August 14th. Be sure to check out the Olympic Wrestling Schedule and the 14-strong team the USA will have take the mat.
While I wait for my main-focus of the Games, I’ve taken to Olympic Judo to pass the time (I’ve been out of the Olympic Boxing loop). In Judo competition, there is still a clear influence of Japanese tradition in the sport; for the trained-eye, it’s a satisfying hint that sport-Judo is still connected to its martial arts roots. The goal is to beat the opponent either by (to borrow from wrestling terminology) high-amplitude throw or submission, for an “ippon”. The NBC commentators have thus far done a great job of providing color as well as technical expertise for the art from Japan. I must preface that I haven’t watched every match, every mat, every weight like I’ll aim to for wrestling, so it’s likely I missed some high-level, exciting matches. Of note, TeamUSA fielded a solid team with Travis Stevens (81KG) and Kayla Harrison (78KG) earning Olympic hardware.
Here are some highlight matches that I’ve had the chance to watch so far:
Day 1, 8/6:
Women’s Judo 48KG Repechage, Eva Csernoviczki (Hungary) vs Otgontsetseg Galbadrakh (Kazakhstan)
-An injured Csernoviczki takes the mat knowing a win puts her in a Bronze medal match.
Men’s Judo 60KG Repechage, Felipe Kitadai (Brazil) vs Diyorbek Urozboev (Uzbekistan)
-2012 London Bronze Medalist Kitadai competes in front of his home crowd in an action-packed repechage match.
M60KG Gold Medal Match, Beslan Mudranov (Russia) vs Yeldos Smetov (Kazakhstan)
-Ranked #16 in the World, Mudranov meets the defending World Champion in the finals.
Day 3, 8/8:
W57KG Repechage, Telma Monteiro (Portugal) vs Automne Pavia (France)
W57KG Bronze Medal Match, Lien Chen-Ling (Taiwan) vs Kaori Matsumoto (Japan)
M73KG Gold Medal Match, Shohei Ono (Japan) vs Rustam Orujov (Azerbaijan)
-Ono of Japan had his country’s pride in his hands and he was lights-out on his run to an Olympic Gold Medal.
Day 4, 8/9:
W63KG Bronze, Yarden Gerbi (Israel) vs Miku Tashiro (Japan)
W63KG Semi-Finals, Tina Trstenjak (Slovenia) vs Mariana Silva (Brazil)
W63KG Finals, Tina Trstenjak (Slovenia) vs Clarisse Agbegnenou
M81KG Semi-Finals, Travis Stevens (United States of America) vs Avtandil Trchikishvili (Georgia)
M81KG Semi-Finals, Sergiu Toma (United Arab Emirates) vs Khasan Khalmurzaev (Russia)
M81KG Bronze, Sergiu Toma (UAE) vs Matteo Marconcini (Italy)
M81KG Gold Medal Match, Travis Stevens (USA) vs Khasan Khalmurzaev (RUS)
-Stevens earns USA’s first medal in Men’s Judo in over a decade in his third try at the Olympic Games.
Day 6, 8/11:
W78KG Round of 16, Marya Aguiar (Brazil) vs Miranda Giambelli (Australia)
W78kg repechage, Natalie Powell (GBR) vs. Luise Malzahn (GER)
M100kg repechage, Ramadan Darwish (EGY) vs, No. 5 Karl-Richard Frey (GER)
W78KG Prelim Rnd2, Kayla Harrison (USA) vs Zhang Zhehui (People’s Republic of China)
-The defending Olympic Champion starts fast and doesn’t look back.
W78KG Quarterfinals, Kayla Harrison (USA) vs Abigel Joo (Hungary)
W78kg semi-final, Kayla Harrison (USA) vs. Anamari Velensek (SLO)
M100kg semifinal, Elmar Gasimov (AZE) vs Artem Bloshenko (UKR)
-Ranked #1 in the World, Gasimov looks to make his first major-international finals.
M100kg semifinal, Cyrille Maret (FRA) vs. Lukas Krpalek (CZE)
-A past World Champion in Krpalek returns to form.
W78KG Bronze, Luise Malzahn (Germany) vs. Anamari Velensek (Slovenia)
W78KG Gold, Kayla Harrison (USA) vs Audrey Tcheumeo (France)
M100KG Bronze, K.R. Frey (Germany) vs Cyrille Maret (France)
M100KG Gold Medal Match, Lukas Krpalek (Czech Republic) vs Elmar Gasimov (Azerbaijan)
-Gasimov took out the 2012 London Champion first round of the tourney and had the World #1 ranking, and met another World Champion in Krpalek.
Check out the NBC Olympic Judo hub for replays and highlights!
Olympic Wrestling 8/14-8/21
Wrestling starts on Sunday, August 14th at 6:00AM Pacific, with Greco-Roman 59KG and 75KG.
The USA Greco-Roman squad landed after the Men’s and Women’s Freestyle teams, deciding to spend a few more days in Colorado Springs to prepare. Lead by Coach Matt Lindland, the reinvigorated Greco-Roman program looks to establish the United States as one of the top-programs in the World.
The program was bleak after winning the World team championship in 2007. With Andy Bisek (75KG) leading the way with two, back-to-back World Bronze medals and Robby Smith (130KG) bringing some of the confidence we once had at Greco-heavyweight in Dremiel Byers, the program can only go up. Of course, I have uber-faith in the ability of the young Jesse Thielke, who has more than earned his place as the #1 for the US at 59KG.
Greco-Roman action starts 6:00am Pacific/ 9:00am Eastern on Sunday, August 14th with 59KG and 75KG.
NBC Olympic Wrestling Hub and Live Streams
Olympic Wrestling Previews
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