Michigan Wrestling - World Class

Submitted by StirredNotShaken on September 17th, 2023 at 10:16 PM

Three former Michigan wrestlers have medaled at the Senior World Championships in mens freestyle wrestling this weekend.

Stevan Micic - Wrestles for a gold medal tomorrow at 57kg. He pulled off two big upsets today in beating  the defending Olympic champ (2021) and defending World Champ (2022) in back to back matches to make the final. Micic is born and raised in the US but wrestles internationally for Serbia. 

Myles Amine - Won bronze at 86kg. Like Micic, born and raised in the US (Detroit CC grad) but wrestles internationally for San Marino. 

Mason Parris - Won bronze at 125kg for the US. Lost a heart breaker in the semi finals on Saturday to a multiple time world champion. Looks like a future world champion and potential Olympic gold medalist next year. 

 

StirredNotShaken

September 17th, 2023 at 11:28 PM ^

Nobody knows at this point, including Steveson. He is signed with the WWE who actually nixed his planned participation at the World championships this weekend. Mason stepped up on short notice which makes his performance even more impressive.

Steveson is the best 125kg in the world but the WWE made an investment into the Olympic Champion. There is not much upside for the WWE if Steveson wins another World/Olympic gold but a lot of downside if he were to lose and tarnish that image. So he was told "no". 

It's a shame for Steveson because he has the potential to be one of the best wrestlers in US history, but he decided to get paid by the WWE instead. It's great for Mason though and he is making the most of it. 

YakAttack

September 18th, 2023 at 1:56 AM ^

Not sure if I've shared this anecdote here before, but alas:

I was "recruited" to join the wrestling team in 7th grade since I was one of the few semi-athletic kids that could fill out the roster at 75 pounds. Plus a bunch of my friends were going out. So I joined, wrestled in 3 tournaments that year. Won 2 golds and a bronze. 

But going into the first day of practice, I was about 10% sure I was going to learn how to fly iff the ropes and properly apply a sleeper hold. I knew nothing about amateur wrestling at the time.

Fast forward to the 8th grade, and I had plumped up to the 85lb weight class. Had similar success, but lost in an "exhibition" match against our cross town rivals' 110 pounder. That was their smallest wrestler, so I won my "match" by default. I ended up losing to West Middle School. To a girl. And she was so hot. Imagine wrasslin' around with a member of the opposite sex as a 14 year old boy that you had a huge crush on. In front of 10's and 10's of people.

Good times...

RedRum

September 18th, 2023 at 9:41 AM ^

in front of tens and tens of people - that sir is funny.

We had the most successful team in my HS. We had wrestlers going to state and no other sport was making regionals. We couldn't pay people to come to our meets. When I looked into the stands, i saw the familiar faces of the parents of my teammates, and few else. But winning was the best thing. Ref was right next to your ear looking at the opponents shoulder blade's distance, if any, to the flat mat. and then BOOM, refs hand to mat and jump up, act like it was no biggie, and shake the opposing coaches hand. fun times.

 

DonAZ

September 18th, 2023 at 5:07 AM ^

I have great admiration for wrestlers.  It is a sport that requires incredible stamina and endurance, and is, in a way, almost 'pure' sport.  Back in 9th grade gym class, in Howell, we had wrestling during the winter term.  If memory serves, we didn't actually wrestle until eight weeks in; the the first seven weeks was pretty intensive calisthenics getting us ready to be able to go past 30 seconds of wrestling.  And once we started wrestling, it quickly became apparent that things happen fast, and technique can overcome lack of raw strength.  I generally didn't like gym class, but all these years later I still have vivid memories of that winter wrestling.

maquih

September 18th, 2023 at 7:18 AM ^

Friendly reminder tickets to Michigan Wrestling are five bucks with free parking right next to Cliff Keen Arena, it's a great experience.  (And no media timeouts!)

MGoSoftball

September 18th, 2023 at 11:52 AM ^

I sit near Coach Bormet in the Stadium. You talk about an animated guy. He jumps around like his hair is on fire eventhough he has none.  He is All Blue for sure.  Great guy.