Cowboy RTC and the next quad

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
93,280
15,485
48
Izzak was up 4-0 at the break and then gave up 3 straight step outs. He looked small at 86kg. Hurt his knee and gave up a takedown and turn because he stopped fighting

Plott looked awesome. His finals opponent from Ukraine was good
Izzak is so talented it’s funny. Hes focused on coaching and has been healing for a bit.

Plott will be a problem until he’s 50+…just a hammer of a dude.
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
He's so frustrating. Best in the world when he wants to be, but he doesn't seem to want to be the best very often.

Yup. He literally is JB talented, but refuses to have anything to do with consistent discipline.

Should have tech smashed one of the world favorites.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DPJ1 and AtownPoke

osu2082

Heisman
Jan 29, 2006
33,504
61,725
78
Zahid beat Kadiev 9-5 . He took a 7-0 lead and faded wrestled on his knees on the edge a bunch. His shape is definitely an issue

I read he injured his ankle pretty bad in that match. Was that part of the issue last night?
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
I read he injured his ankle pretty bad in that match. Was that part of the issue last night?

1. He was gassing bad BEFORE he rolled his ankle

2. I literally screamed at my computer “put your laces down!” The rolled ankle looked pretty bad on replay.

3. Zahid is a freak. That should have been a pretty decent injury, but it didn’t affect him the rest of the match. He kept putting his ankles in the same position the rest of the match. Easily another 8 times or so. The last point he scored came on a nifty front head D, where Kaniev tried to jump over him and Z was able to elevate, circle with him, stay in bounds and get the push out

Again, just freak stuff.

There’s not a bigger zahid fan than me. When he’s motivated to be disciplined - untouchable.
 

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
93,280
15,485
48
1. He was gassing bad BEFORE he rolled his ankle

2. I literally screamed at my computer “put your laces down!” The rolled ankle looked pretty bad on replay.

3. Zahid is a freak. That should have been a pretty decent injury, but it didn’t affect him the rest of the match. He kept putting his ankles in the same position the rest of the match. Easily another 8 times or so. The last point he scored came on a nifty front head D, where Kaniev tried to jump over him and Z was able to elevate, circle with him, stay in bounds and get the push out

Again, just freak stuff.

There’s not a bigger zahid fan than me. When he’s motivated to be disciplined - untouchable.
In his defense, not being the rep for the USA is a pretty strong reason to dial back his focus for a bit.

I know I’d have a hard time training for nothing for an entire year.
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
In his defense, not being the rep for the USA is a pretty strong reason to dial back his focus for a bit.

I know I’d have a hard time training for nothing for an entire year.

He’s a professional athlete. He got paid very well to wrestle at RAF.

And also, completely indefensible… When the only reason he isn’t on the world team is because he decided not to take training seriously, other than 25 days out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheJimReaper

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
93,280
15,485
48
He’s a professional athlete. He got paid very well to wrestle at RAF.

And also, completely indefensible… When the only reason he isn’t on the world team is because he decided not to take training seriously, other than 25 days out.
Fair points.

Im just saying, I’d have a hard time training to win a World Title when it’s not possible.

But, at the same time, Dake could get hurt or something could happen and Zahid better be ready to go.
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
4,881
10,690
113
Fair points.

Im just saying, I’d have a hard time training to win a World Title when it’s not possible.

But, at the same time, Dake could get hurt or something could happen and Zahid better be ready to go.
Professionals can't look at things that way he's still receiving a check . What's that teaching the college guys. Did the club stop paying him once he lost at Final X?
 

okokzach

All-Conference
Dec 18, 2024
1,021
2,598
113
Kadiev gassed worse than Zahid and he's going to be at Worlds. I guess he isn't taking the sport seriously either?
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
Kadiev gassed worse than Zahid and he's going to be at Worlds. I guess he isn't taking the sport seriously either?

Riiiiiiiight. Let’s compare a 20 year old RUSSIAN to the defending American Workd Champ, who has a history of this.

And feel free to go back and watch the tape. One guy was attacking and moving forward. The other? Literally falling to his knees is abject tiredness and relying on some otherworldly god given gifts.
 

okokzach

All-Conference
Dec 18, 2024
1,021
2,598
113
Riiiiiiiight. Let’s compare a 20 year old RUSSIAN to the defending American Workd Champ, who has a history of this.

And feel free to go back and watch the tape. One guy was attacking and moving forward. The other? Literally falling to his knees is abject tiredness and relying on some otherworldly god given gifts.
That RUSSIAN (lol) was good enough to whoop Kyle Dake this year and is ranked #2 in the world.

Zahid went out and took control of the match and spent a lot of energy doing so. Kadiev started attacking late because he was losing. There was more to the match than just the last period.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AtownPoke

thosick

Freshman
Jul 13, 2010
34
71
18
Yup. He literally is JB talented, but refuses to have anything to do with consistent discipline.

Should have tech smashed one of the world favorites.
I hear what you’re saying. In a sport where the perception of elite, unrelenting discipline, is fairly common, Zahid seems more fun loving and relaxed. There are times when he looks unprepared compared to his lofty expectations. But we’re not talking about a college kid. This guy is a 29 year old multiple time national champ and world champion.
No amount of talent alone puts you at that level. He now gets to decide what he wants, what he’s willing to go all out for, what he’s willing to balance with personal life and his profession. I look at my own life, and I want to be world class as a man in my life and business. And yet, I can’t say I’ve performed at that level with the consistency that I desire.

I don’t mean to preach at you or discount what you’re saying. Just sharing something I’ve been thinking about in regards to elite performance as a whole. It’s very, very hard to attain. And harder to sustain. That’s what makes the JB’s of the world historic. It’s hard for me to point the finger at a guy on that level. Just want to cheer him on and hope accomplishes his goals.
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
4,881
10,690
113
I hear what you’re saying. In a sport where the perception of elite, unrelenting discipline, is fairly common, Zahid seems more fun loving and relaxed. There are times when he looks unprepared compared to his lofty expectations. But we’re not talking about a college kid. This guy is a 29 year old multiple time national champ and world champion.
No amount of talent alone puts you at that level. He now gets to decide what he wants, what he’s willing to go all out for, what he’s willing to balance with personal life and his profession. I look at my own life, and I want to be world class as a man in my life and business. And yet, I can’t say I’ve performed at that level with the consistency that I desire.

I don’t mean to preach at you or discount what you’re saying. Just sharing something I’ve been thinking about in regards to elite performance as a whole. It’s very, very hard to attain. And harder to sustain. That’s what makes the JB’s of the world historic. It’s hard for me to point the finger at a guy on that level. Just want to cheer him on and hope accomplishes his goals.
Some people are fans with friends who are close to certain situations. I don't believe VHS is saying this because what he saw in at RAF. Zahid in shape isn't losing to anyone at 86
 

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
4,881
10,690
113
I think it also points to how seriously some of these guys take RAF. It is an exhibition match.
Well Zahid is wrestling this weekend at a tournament in Armenia so he wasn't training for 1 match. After RAF I started asking some questions and was told he works really hard in the room . I have been watching back his matches over the last year and it looks like to me he holds his breathe for long stretches during matches. I believe that's why he's gassing
 

OAMC99

All-Conference
Mar 25, 2002
4,839
1,762
113
I hear what you’re saying. In a sport where the perception of elite, unrelenting discipline, is fairly common, Zahid seems more fun loving and relaxed. There are times when he looks unprepared compared to his lofty expectations. But we’re not talking about a college kid. This guy is a 29 year old multiple time national champ and world champion.
No amount of talent alone puts you at that level. He now gets to decide what he wants, what he’s willing to go all out for, what he’s willing to balance with personal life and his profession. I look at my own life, and I want to be world class as a man in my life and business. And yet, I can’t say I’ve performed at that level with the consistency that I desire.

I don’t mean to preach at you or discount what you’re saying. Just sharing something I’ve been thinking about in regards to elite performance as a whole. It’s very, very hard to attain. And harder to sustain. That’s what makes the JB’s of the world historic. It’s hard for me to point the finger at a guy on that level. Just want to cheer him on and hope accomplishes his goals.
This is a very good post. I agree and especially in the brutal sport of wrestling. To maintain the amount of discipline it takes to stay at that level of elite is insane. Year-round. Conditioning can slip in a week or two. Diet can be jacked up with one bad week/weekend. Every single meal. Recovery is a full-time job. Every single decision, every single day revolves around it. Father Time. Younger and hungrier competition. Having already been a national and world champion means Zahid's legacy is secure. Maybe he makes one more final run at the Olympic Gold Medal.

Another factor is that his 90% is better than 98-99% of the world. So it's probably tough for him to get motivated to grind out the extra it takes to beat out the other 1%. And he's kind of a chill California/Arizona dude to begin with. I can't imagine. He's had a great career. Yes it probably could have been a tad bit better.
 

Howie_Fartz

All-Conference
Jan 29, 2024
969
3,510
93
Well Zahid is wrestling this weekend at a tournament in Armenia so he wasn't training for 1 match. After RAF I started asking some questions and was told he works really hard in the room . I have been watching back his matches over the last year and it looks like to me he holds his breathe for long stretches during matches. I believe that's why he's gassing
Interesting take on holding his breath. No clue if thats true and I havent watched this recent match. I did however listen to Willie and Basch yesterday. Willie Said, and I not giving this word for word, but basically that he talked to DT and that DT said it was hard to figure out whats going on with Z because he works HARD. Coach Taylor went onto say that it was possibly nerves? Or something along those lines. Feel free tp pull up the show and listen but that was basically the gist.

Now I dont believe that Coach Taylor is going to coddle or cover for anyone so if he says Z works hard then I believe him. Also I cant possibly think of any reason that Willie would make any BS up.

There may be more going on then meets the eye.
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
Interesting take on holding his breath. No clue if thats true and I havent watched this recent match. I did however listen to Willie and Basch yesterday. Willie Said, and I not giving this word for word, but basically that he talked to DT and that DT said it was hard to figure out whats going on with Z because he works HARD. Coach Taylor went onto say that it was possibly nerves? Or something along those lines. Feel free tp pull up the show and listen but that was basically the gist.

Now I dont believe that Coach Taylor is going to coddle or cover for anyone so if he says Z works hard then I believe him. Also I cant possibly think of any reason that Willie would make any BS up.

There may be more going on then meets the eye.

Z's problem will never be what happens in the room. Hope there's something to what Corby is saying about his breathing.... But he ain't have no "breathing" problems in 2025.
 

Btbw1968

Junior
Jul 1, 2025
116
291
63
Not breathing correctly really screws up a performance. I was rowing with a group of guys and they made me workout before as My best performances were after I was dead tired as I would breath correctly. My trainer complains about my breathing and has made me work on that. I will never get it right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Corby2 and vhsalum

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
4,881
10,690
113
Not breathing correctly really screws up a performance. I was rowing with a group of guys and they made me workout before as My best performances were after I was dead tired as I would breath correctly. My trainer complains about my breathing and has made me work on that. I will never get it right.
I have watched a bunch of matches and he definitely doesn't control his breathing. Seems like when he's engaged in the handfight he holds his breath.And when a break happens you can see him start to breathe really fast trying to catch up . It's easy to fix with meditation and breathing exercises. Most guys who do it while lifting weights do it in competition.
 

chasepollard

Heisman
Nov 25, 2005
93,280
15,485
48
One thing to mention is the travel.

He was stuck in airports for 3 days. So, very poor sleep, jet lag and probably poor nutrition.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vhsalum

Corby2

Heisman
Jul 14, 2025
4,881
10,690
113
One thing to mention is the travel.

He was stuck in airports for 3 days. So, very poor sleep, jet lag and probably poor nutrition.
McKenna Amine Zahid Olejnik are all in Armenia this weekend. Not sure how the competition will be I haven't seen an entry list yet .
 
  • Like
Reactions: vhsalum

proud2bpokes

All-Conference
Feb 17, 2002
1,171
1,061
76
He is weeks away from being 29 years old. He is likely past his physical prime (27-28 for athletes in most sports and likely before for wrestling). No matter how hard he works, he can’t wrestle at the same pace as Jax and Bassett. They will get there someday too.
 

vhsalum

All-Conference
Nov 14, 2002
1,819
4,353
113
Mckenna lost 8-0 to Magemedov. Amine and Zahid are in the finals tomorrow and McKenna is in repechage. Olejnik will wrestle tomorrow.
Links to the sessions. McKenna was on A . Zahid and Amine had matches on both mats
Mat A


Mat B


Aren’t you on vacation?!
 
O State Illustrated

Latest

  1. 01 On3 Football College Football TV Ratings: Most-watched games of Week 2
  2. 02 O State Illustrated Football Recruiting Oklahoma State Offers top 2028 Arkansas WR Chase Hancock
  3. 03 Rivals Football Recruiting Intel and predictions for Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, Oklahoma State, SMU move into the lead for blue-chippers and visitors after Week 2
  4. 04 O State Illustrated Football OSI Breakdown | Week 2: Oklahoma State 39, Oregon 31
  5. 05 Rivals Football Recruiting Intel: Oklahoma State gaining traction with 2028 blue-chip quarterback