Wrestling Lacks the Ability to Evolve

[hornbuckleb]

So, I was watching Judo Olympics the other day and I was not that impressed at first, but then I became extremely intrigued and soon found myself on the edge of my chair cheering the sudden death match of the mixed team finals.

In the mixed team event, each side is composed of three male and three female judokas divided into three categories instead of the usual six, meaning judokas can compete against opponents they would not normally fight.

The gold bout came down to a 3 to 3 tie, so they spun a digital wheel that resembled the one on "The Price is Right" to pick the tie breaking weight.

Never ever would wrestling ever be this bold, but how cool would it be!

[bman]

Wrestling does not lack the ability to evolve.  Step out rule, etc. shows it evolves as necessary.  What wrestling lacks is the need/push to take those who are very talented but not quite good enough to make the team, and work down from there for more inclusion.  The top wrestler in each weight would compete in the individual weight class competition but they would not also participate in a mixed pairs event. Therefore, the mixed pairs or whatever the added event is the JV Team.  For instance someone is a great diver, but they just can't quite make the team... So, what do they do?  They participate in synchronized diving and mixed pairs diving..,, Before you jump all over me, I am not oblivious to their talent and work... but be honest, nobody sets out to be a synchronized diver. The individual gravitates there after being a diver (Don't even get me started on flag football as an event. What a joke). The only exception I make would be doubles, and mixed doubles in tennis since it has been well established and many of the top players have played as individuals and also plays doubles at an event.

Lastly, I'm glad you found the mixed Judo exiting I'm sure it was, but personally, I don't believe the need or importance exists to water down the field by increasing the number of events for greater inclusion.

[Ledger]

They have mixed relays in track and swimming, and now mixed duals in Judo.  I think it would be a great way to bring the athletes together as a team to have a mixed freestyle dual. 

[bman]

I stand by my original reply.  No need to keep watering it down and manufacture events etc.  Why not add under 6' basketball?

[harley25]

I stand by my original reply.  No need to keep watering it down and manufacture events etc.  Why not add under 6' basketball?

It is coming!!

[hornbuckleb]

Wrestling always has been and always will be their own worst enemy.  I am not talking about watering down the olympics, but if that is what it takes to survive.  Why not!

I am more concerned with wrestling here in the states.  If it was not for the popularity and enormous growth of girls/womens wrestling where would wrestling be right now?

What happens next year if the newly proposed NCAA roster limits with 100% scholorships come into play.  If I was the head of a DI men's program I would be fighting hard to have a DI women's program at my instituition.

I said it before and I will say it again.  If the new NCAA rules get implemented I think the Badger Wrestling program will be on the chopping block.  Maybe not in year one, but as soon as a Big program drops (Northwestern??) the Badger program will be dropped.