randy.cruz@me.com Buxton/Rey
The stars lined up. United World Wrestling wanted Iran to be in the finals. We wanted to wrestle well through the pool of death to get to the finals. We wanted to wrestle Iran under these political pressures, in their arena. Ultimately, the World Cup set the stage for the Friday night fireworks of Iran vs USA.
This perfect storm came about after victories on Thursday against Georgia and Russia, followed by a Friday morning victory over Azerbaijan, a dual meet that went 4-4 in individual matches, the US taking the win with classification points.
On Friday night, a packed venue of 5,000 fans in a gym that only fit 4,000 cheered on Iran with drums and horns blaring. Winning the match was already a difficult task but was made even more so without Zach Rey, out due to back spasms; everyone just needed to do their job well.
A coach’s objective is to always start a dual with a win as it adds to momentum for the rest of the team to follow up with victories. The match did not start off as we hoped, and we lost the first bout of the night. Although Tony Ramos lost 6-0 to world medalist Hassan Rahimi, he still showed improvement in this World Cup. We fell behind 3-0. In each match, it is essential to score points to receive at least 1 classification point: Classification points is the first tie breaker in a tied match and since he got shutout, the classification points was Iran 3 points and USA 0 points.
In the next match, Logan Stieber wrestled Masoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari who he defeated in a last-minute takedown in the World Championship semifinal. Beating him again would be a tough task because the Iranian is tough to score on with his low-blocking stance. In the end, it was a 6-2 victory for Iran but important was that Logan scored a last second point on a pushout and a protest point, which gave the US a classification point totaling the classification points Iran 6 to US 1 and falling behind 2-0 in match victories.
Frank Molinaro stepped onto the mat next, determined and ready to fight as always. He got off to a 4-0 lead, but Meisam Nasir from Iran was able to come from behind to win a 5-4 decision, putting Iran up 3 matches to 0 and leading in classification points 9 to 2. Frank fought hard and received no help from the official as the Iranian wrestler, in my opinion, was passive. As always, Frank wrestled with heart and soul, but he ended up on the losing end.
Next, Bronze Medalist James Green entered the arena; he defeated Mostafa Hosseinkhani in last year’s World Cup. As it was in the previous 3 matches, the Iranians were difficult to score on, using underhooks for controlling the tie ups and stall tactics, which should have been called for attention. James got put on the shot clock twice only to lose 2-0, even though he took more risks in trying to take his opponent down. I feel the 2nd shot clock penalty should only occur when stalling is blatant and James was doing all the shooting.
At this point in the match, we were down 4-0 in matches, and a widening gap in classification points, which was now 12-2. At this point, the midpoint of the match, I was hoping for a 3-1 lead, or at worse a 2-2 tie. It was apparent we weren’t going to receive many calls with regard to passivity, but we had hope left with some power in the last 4 weights.
Enter Jordan Burroughs, World and Olympic Champion, our most consistent wrestler, and loved by the Iranian fans. “Jordan, Jordan, Jordan” had been the common chant throughout the World Cup competition but not this match as the fans know we had to win out to have a chance to take the team victory. Jordan was able to get us on the scoreboard with a 3-2 win making the score 3-1 with Classification points, which were now at 13 for Iran to 5 for the US.
Then, the Magic Man, David Taylor, stepped on the mat! Already having the tournament of his life, Bill Zadick and I had full confidence in David’s ability to beat Olympic Champion Hassan Yazdanicharati in his country. David’s earlier matches were an indication to me that it was his time as in previous matches, he beat a bronze medal, and later a world and olympic champion. Yazdani had moved up a weight class and appeared to be bigger and stronger. He had developed since the Cadet Worlds, and I have seen his growth in that time. Yazdani used his common tactics to build an early lead but David began to learn as the match went on, and he started to control the ties and create his own motion to get to Yandazi’s legs. In the second period, David gained momentum and confidence in his abilities. He scored 4 takedowns and eventually pinned Iran’s hero. You could hear a pin drop at this point. Well done, David, and now was the US’s chance, trailing 4-2 and 13 to 10 in classification points.
Olympic Champion Kyle Synder entered the arena, ready for what he does best. Pressure and scoring! He has broke many great wrestlers and we needed him here. Kyle delivered a 3-0 shut-out win. The score is 4-3 and classification points are all tied up, 13-13. Way to go, Kyle!
Nick Gwiazdowski, in his first World Cup, stepped up next. He had been in a familiar position earlier in the year helping Titan Mercury win the Club Cup by beating an Iranian Champion Hadi in a similar situation. Unfortunately, Nick came up short, losing 5-0 to the Great Ghesimi and Iran won the World Cup for the 5th time in a row.
I am proud how this team fought through adversity. Their travel was long, and they arrived later then scheduled. Then, they they had to wrestle through the pool of death against some of the best teams in World. They wrestled in a packed arena, and they all knew that this event was special. It was the single greatest dual meet I have ever been associated with.
I am humbled by working with Bill Zadick and by having the opportunity to coach such great athletes. This has been an experience of a lifetime. Traveling to Iran was memorable, seeing a nation of very proud and loyal people. More important, friendships were made and sports brought countries together for competition; much respect was gained by all. This match will never happen again under the circumstances, in this environment, with this caliber of athletes. I thank Rich Bender and Cody Bickley from USA Wrestling, Mo Tavakoliam from the NYAC, and all the Police and Military from Iran that made this trip possible and successful. Strength and Honor.