Archive for the ‘Wrestling’ Category

Add another silver onto the pile for Canada.

Tonya Lynn Verbeek took home a silver for her efforts in the Women’s 55kg Freestyle Wrestling competition after being defeated by Japan’s Saori Yoshida in the gold medal final.

Verbeek put up a good fight but got taken down heavily and pushed out of bound by Yoshida in the first round, giving her an insurmountable 3-0 lead for the round. In the second, Verbeek was again taken down out of bounds by Yoshida, but her team threw the Challenge Brick (actually a thing) saying that it was, in fact, Yoshida who had first gone down out of bounds. The ruling on the mat was upheld, however, which cost Verbeek yet another point for losing a challenge. The 2-0 deficit was too much for Verbeek, who just couldn’t seem to get any sort of takedown game going, and she was defeated 2-0 (3-2, 2-0).

It was a bittersweet finish for the 34-year-old and is yet another non-gold for Canada at these Games. But, a medal is a medal and Yoshida is considered one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world, so perhaps this was a foregone conclusion.

However, I think we can all agree that the real story here is the discovery of the Challenge Brick, dropped at the side of the mat to signify a challenge from a wrestler’s team. I think the NFL should adopt the Challenge Brick, I’d love to see Rex Ryan have to chuck a brick onto the field every time he wants to complain about something.

A bit of a delay as the wrestling medal matches finally get underway. Apparently officials in London couldn’t find the wrestlers – experts indicate this is important. Canadians Huynh and Durgrenier each have a shot at Bronze medals. We’ll recap the events of these two matches as they happen.

First round
- Carol Huynh – she of the GOLD medal in Beijing – takes on Senegal’s Isabelle Sambou.

- Two minutes rounds make for a crazily intense sequence of events. The ref is a big part of round one, breaking up the opponents as both wrestlers look tentative. Analysis!

Second round
- Huynh gets on the board with a take down seconds into the second round. 1-0 Canada. An impressive ‘Canada’ chant emerges from the stands in ExCel arena – my favourite venue at these games. Wait: no point was rewarded. 0-0, Vic Ratuer’s confusion is completely unassuring.
- Huynh gets the blue ball for the second time in the match! This, apparently, means she gets to start a key, sudden death hold in favorable position.
- The Calgary native does it! Another Bronze for Canada. I’d by lying to you if I said I have a firm grasp on what exactly happened in the last few moments of the match. This I am certain: the blue ball was the turning point.

While it isn’t Gold, Huynh adds to her Olympic medal collection with a hard fought victory. Pan Am Games Gold last fall, four World Championship podiums and an Olympic Bronze. What a career for Carol Huynh.

Bronze medalist Carol Huynh: “I would have loved to been back (atop) the podium like Beijing. That was amazing.But today, I’m just so happy”

— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) August 8, 2012

It’s teammate Martine Dugrenier’s turn for a shot at glory in the 63 kg Bronze medal match. She’ll take on Battsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia. The name is intimidating in itself. No matter what happens, Dugrenier has already improved on her fifth place showing in Beijing.

First round

-   Not sure why the male referee is allowed to pat down the wrestlers. Very creepy.

- Both combabtants tumble out of bounds, Dugs looked to be in control, but the point goes to Soron. Note: Not implying the Mongolian wrestler is an evil wizard with use of that short form.

-  Soron takes control, getting Dugs on her back for another point. The Mongolian takes round one, 2- 0.

Second round

-  Another quick point for Soron. The ref blows the whistle with 1:10 left. Dugs will need a miracle.

- Excellent defense from the Mongolian as Dugrenier runs out of time.

Battsetseg Soronzonbold wins Mongolia’s first ever wrestling medal. Mongolia rejoice!