Jackson wants more freestyle commitment
The U.S. world freestyle team, at least on paper, turned in a disappointing performance at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. A total of 28 men’s freestyle medals were awarded. Team USA received just two, both were bronze. A U.S. world team has not done this poorly since 1975 when Team USA was shutout in Minsk, Soviet Union.
A closer look at the event reveals a somewhat more positive perspective about the outcome. Three matches could have gone either way. Mental lapses played an unusually important role in these matches. Also, last year’s Olympic silver medalists, Jamill Kelly and Steve Abas, were not on the team. Neither was Olympic gold medalist, Cael Sanderson.
National freestyle coach Kevin Jackson gave no excuses. In fact he wasn’t going to rely on close calls falling his way next year. Rather, his position is to improve.
“If
we keep doing what we’re doing now, we’ll keep having the same result. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There is no secret to winning. We know what the winners do to be victorious. When we do what they do to win, we will win,” Jackson said, referring to Cuba, Russia and Georgia. Jackson broke down what it takes to be successful on the international level.
“The successful program has three key elements: gain full-time coaches, retain medalists (for sparing partners and team members) and train full-time. Gain, retain and train,” he said.
With regard to training, Jackson said, “All of our athletes should spend the majority of their training time at the Olympic Training Center. That should be their first commitment. Look at the commitment from our last two Olympic champions. Brandon Slay moved to the OTC right out of college. Cael Sanderson came to train 22 times in two and a half years.”
They both told Jackson they would do whatever he asked them to do for training and competition.
“They both did and neither complained,” Jackson said.
Retaining the medalists is an essential ingredient to Jackson’s winning strategy. It does not take much imagination to understand the powerful impact the names of our two silver medalists and our gold medalist from last year’s Olympic team would have on this year’s team roster.
Out of the 21 wrestlers on the Russian, Cuban and Georgian 2004 Olympic teams, 20 were on their 2005 world teams in Budapest. The U.S. returned just two of its seven wrestlers from last year’s Olympic team. And none of its Olympic medalists.
Jackson’s plan inherently assumes the wrestlers are obsessed with winning.
“Wrestling must be an obsession. If it is just a hobby, world and Olympic medals will not be part of your future,” said Olympic and two-time world champion Tom Brands.
Jackson points out the difficulties in his plan.
“Five of our seven-man world team are married. Training at the OTC is a great sacrifice for them, often reducing family income, increasing expenses and straining relationships. As a result, most team members stay home. Many of the married may have no choice. Most singles do have a choice,” said the U.S.’s head freestyle coach.
Jackson felt strongly that those that can come, must. If not, they don’t have the obsession of which Brands speaks. Jackson puts it this way: “They lack the true commitment it takes to beat the best wrestlers in the world.” Committed single athletes is one solution. Money is another.
One wrestler fitting the mold Jackson is suggesting for the team is Mo Lawal. He is just 24 years old, 6 years younger than the average of his teammates. He has been training at the OTC. He is single and he has been progressing rapidly. At the World Championships, he pinned his first opponent and had beaten his second opponent, a former world champ from Russia.
But in the last few seconds of his second match he began dancing around the mat beginning his victory celebration and avoiding his opponent. The referee penalized him for fleeing from his opponent. The penalty point tied the score and since it was the last point scored, it was worth more under the new rules and Lawal lost. It was a great performance until the mental lapse. He has the reputation of being a hard worker that never complains.
Jackson said he personally is willing to do what it takes to be successful.
“I am not a fundraiser but I will do what it takes to have a winning team,” Jackson said. “We are looking for a person and/or corporation who will help us become the world’s best freestyle team by turning our plan into reality, providing funds to overcome the financial sacrifices of wrestlers training at the Olympic Training Center and participating with the team at key events to encourage success and share the accomplishments.
“An annual investment of about $40,000 per wrestler is needed. We have already initiated our campaign and are encouraged by the response we have received.”
(You can read this and other articles by subscribing to W.I.N. Magazine. Either contact our office at 1-888-305-0606 or subscribe through this website by selecting the “Subscribe” section on our front page.)