R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Byers holds Greco to high standard
In 2002, Dremiel Byers was able to achieve what only three other Americans had done before him: win a World title in Greco-Roman wrestling. After his win in the finals, the U.S. Army’s Byers put on a spectacular display of emotion. He began running around on his hands and knees and then started barking like a dog. This was followed by “dancing with and anomalous troupe of Russian pompom girls and turning a more-or-less graceful back handspring”.
In 2006, Byers is the same heavyweight wrestler but he’s a little more subdued in his reaction to a win. Instead of an animated victory celebration after a victory, Byers simply bows to the crowd.
“I don’t want to be that guy that says I was surprised I won again,” said Byers. “I watched the Cuban when he won and he was like I’m supposed to win. I think I’ll take that approach unless it was a dog fight and then I’m coming out dancing. In 2002, I won the Worlds and I knew I was close to something and it happened for me and it was pure from the heart. Anything else would be rehearsed.”
“(I
bow because I’m) grateful to compete and I’m happy. I’m always going to be loyal to fans, maintain some respect and discipline, and I hope I convey that. At the World Championships in 2002, there were several opportunities where it wasn’t going my way. I was getting bad calls. One of my teammates kept telling me just like in the movie “Gladiator,” you win the crowd you win your freedom. I kept bowing to the crowd and they love me for it. I can go to Russia any time and they’ll remember me. I think that’s special.”At this year’s World Team Trials, Byers had several opportunities to bow. In four matches wrestled, the current staff sergeant in the U.S. Army was never seriously challenged by any of the three opponents he faced. His two matches against the New York Athletic Club’s Russ Davie for the right to represent the United States at the World Championships were a mere formality. Byers gave up only one point in four periods, dominating Davie in the par terre position.
Yet, it was the absence of Rulon Gardner — a friend and former rival — that has left the biggest void in the heavyweight division. And for Byers, it’s a hole that needs to be filled.
“I was fortunate enough to have Rulon and he was fortunate enough to have me,” said Byers of his friend and formal rival. “Fortunately enough, I beat him so I know I can beat the rest of these guys. I would love to have him back. Don’t ever get that confused. I would love to have somebody back and step up. I think there are some heavyweights who compete in this competition who are going to be ready two or three years from now.”
For now, Byers will have to be motivated by dominating the world-level tournaments.
GR heavyweight notes
• No points were scored in the first minute of either of the matches between Byers and Davie. All points were scored from the par terre position.
• Only Davie wrestled at the Division I level in college.
• Byers plans to compete through the 2012 Olympics
• The 2005 World Team Trials marked the second year in a row that Byers and Davie met in the finals.
• 1998 was the last time someone other than Dremiel Byers or Rulon Gardner made a World Team at heavyweight. That year, Matt Ghaffari made the team and placed second in the World Championships.
(You can also 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.)