Former University of Iowa wrestler and U.S. Open champion added another accolade to his already impressive resume as he was named USA Wrestling’s Wrestler of the week. Metcalf earned his honor by claiming victory yet again over Magomed Kurbanaliev – 65 kg(143 lbs) – of Russia, who was last year’s bronze medalist at the World championships. Metcalf defeated Kurbanaliev 11-8 at the Beat the Streets event in New York City en route to an 8-3 Team USA victory. It was Metcalf’s second win over the Russian, and first victory since FILA has adopted it’s new rules for freestyle wrestling.
Video of the match on Flo here and post match interview here – some funny comments in the latter. Metcalf talks about wanting to be ‘Tweeter’ friends with Dana White and even makes a comment about how Brands can have a calming influence on him while he is wrestling.
Metcalf is building momentum to the World Team Trials in Madison this summer. Metcalf rolled through the U.S. Open in Las Vegas by out scoring opponents 39-0. For his efforts, Metcalf was awarded with clinching a spot in the World Team Trials finals which take place May 31st-June 1st.
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Also, Flo had an interview with the man behind Beat the Streets, Mike Novogratz. There it’s a good interview and at roughly the 1:40 mark Mike states where his inspiration for putting the event in Time’s Square. Thanks to Iowa’s head coach Tom Brands, Novogratz put the event in the area that he felt would give Team USA and wrestling the most energy, and what better place then New York City in Time’s Square?
[…] of the week. Ramos is the second Hawkeye to be named Team USA’s wrestler of the week, as Brent Metcalf picked up that honor as well earlier last month. Jordan Burrough’s the reigning World and Olympic champion sent a […]