OK, campers, we're down to the Final Four. Here are the semifinal pairings in this season's battle for a place in the holy grail of Top 13 wrestlers of the last 25 years.
SportsBlog Nation, time to shout it out! Let me hear who will win these pairings and go on to our mythical championship bouts, which goes up in this space after next week's Rumble on the Rock here on Okinawa.
We'll then crown our champions just after the Feb. 7 Kanto Plain Association of Secondary Schools tournament at Tokyo's St. Mary's International School. And as a bonus, we'll honor our own mythical Outstanding Wrestler of the past quarter century.
Some of these picks were made all the more tougher because of the pedigrees, especially in the mid to upper weights. Some of those were weighted toward those who earned Outstanding Wrestler honors, but not in all cases. Some of your favourites you may feel were left out of the cut, but face it, you can't go wrong with any of these selections.
Here they are!
101 – T.J. Aguila, Kubasaki, 2001 vs. Ariel Morano Kubasaki 1983; Tom Chavez Kubasaki 1993 vs. Dylan Pablo, Guam High, 2007.
108 – Mark Striegl, St. Mary’s, 2004, vs. Steve Sigafus, Kubasaki, 1991; Rae Canlas, Yokota, 2003, vs. Jon Barr, Faith Academy, 1999.
115 – Jordan Foxwell, CAJ 2004, vs. Chris Gunderson, Kinnick, 1992; Jason Bailey, Kinnick, 2002, vs. Bobby Duncan, Kubasaki, 200.
122 – David Fish, ASIJ 1988, vs. Scott Wood, Kubasaki 2009; Go Yamada, Kinnick, 2003, vs. Brian Hughes, Kubasai, 1987.
129 – Joy Lashley, St. Mary’s, 1988, vs. Shawn Moore, Kinnick, 2002; Shu Yabui, St. Mary’s 2004, vs. Randall Hull, Seoul American, 2000.
135 – Zolboo Enkhbayar, Brent International 2003, vs. Eduardo Ayala, St. Mary's, 1997; James Simon, Kubasaki, 1993, vs. Cameron Butts, Kinnick, 2009.
141 – Mike Greeson, Zama American, 1990, vs. Kenji Doughty, Kinnick, 2006; Gary Stauffer, Faith Academy, 2002, vs. Mark Hopkins, Kinnick, 1997.
148 – Justin L. Miller, Kubasaki, 1999, vs. Connor Smith, Kinnick, 2000; Jacob Bloom, Kadena, 2008, vs. Mundre Fleming, Kadena, 2002.
158 – Carlos Albaladejo, Osan American, 2007, vs. John Higa, Kubasaki, 1984; Andy Hall, Faith Academy, 1990, vs. Steve Courtney, Kubasaki, 2006.
168 – Ryland Geiger, Brent International, 2005, vs. Elbert Bailey, Kubasaki, 1989; Kento Omori, St. Mary's, 1996, vs. Ray Lamb, Seoul American, 2001.
180 – Jens Larsson, St. Mary’s, 1991, vs. Andy Ogawa, ASIJ 1990; Zach Dopslaf, Yokota, 2006, vs. Amos Collins, Faith Academy, 1999.
215 – Cole Maxey, Kadena, 2005, vs. Jamel Smith, Kubasaki, 1993; Daniel Polaski, Zama American, 2008, vs. Blake Reinhold, Yokota, 2003.
Heavyweight – Stephe DeSantis, Yokota, 1987, vs. David Burnett, Zama American, 2005; Rodney Huffman, ASIJ, 1987, vs. Spencer Frink, Yokota, 2002.
Who will win? Shout it out! And remember, you've entered THE "No-Hate Zone." :)
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My Results
MY CHAMPIONSHIP BOUTS...
101 - T.J. Aguila (KUBASAKI) vs. Dylan Pablo (GUAM HIGH)
108 - Mark Striegl (ST. MARY'S) vs. Rae Canlas (YOKOTA)
115 - Jordan Foxwell (CAJ) vs. Bobby Duncan (KUBASAKI)
122 - David Fish (ASIJ) vs. Go Yamada (KINNICK)
129 - Joy Lashley (ST.MARY'S) vs. Shu Yabui (ST.MARY'S)
135 - Zolboo Enkhbayar (BRENT INTERNATIONAL) vs. Cameron Butts (KINNICK)
141 - Kenji Doughty (KINNICK) vs. Gary Stauffer (FAITH ACADEMY)
148 - Justin L. Miller (KUBASAKI) vs. Jacob Bloom (KADENA)
158 - John Higa (KUBASAKI) vs. Steve Courtney (KUBASAKI)
168 - Ryland Geiger (BRENT INTERNATIONAL) vs. Ray Lamb (SEOUL AMERICAN)
180 - Jens Larsson (ST.MARY'S) vs. Zach Dopslaf (YOKOTA)
215 - Cole Maxey (KADENA) vs. Blake Reinnhold (YOKOTA)
HW - David Burnett (ZAMA) vs. Rodney Huffman (ASIJ)
LEADING SCHOOLS...
KUBASAKI - 5 Wrestler(s)
ST.MARY'S - 4 Wrestler(s)
YOKOTA - 3 Wrestler(s)
ASIJ - 2 Wrestler(s)
BRENT INTERNATIONAL - 2 Wrestler(s)
KADENA - 2 Wrestler(s)
KINNICK - 2 Wrestler(s)
GUAM HIGH - 1 Wrestler(s)
SEOUL AMERICAN - 1 Wrestler(s)
CAJ - 1 Wrestler(s)
ZAMA - 1 Wrestler(s)
FAITH ACADEMY - 1 Wrestler(s)
CHAMPIONSHIP PICKS...
101 - T.J. Aguila (KUBASAKI)
108 - Mark Striegl (ST. MARY'S)
115 - Jordan Foxwell (CAJ)
122 - David Fish (ASIJ)
129 - Shu Yabui (ST. MARY'S)
135 - Zolboo Enkhbayar (BRENT INTERNATIONAL) **
141 - Kenji Doughty (KINNICK)
148 - Jacob Bloom (KADENA)
158 - Steve Courtney (KUBASAKI)
168 - Ray Lamb (SEOUL AMERICA)
180 - Jens Larsson (ST. MARY'S)
215 - Blake Reinhold (YOKOTA)
Heavy Weight - David Burnett (ZAMA)
Top 3 Pound for Pound in the last 25 YEARS...
*Zolboo Enkhbayar (BRENT INTERNATIONAL) POSSIBLE 4x GOLD MEDALIST
NO MORE INT. SCHOOLS
**Mark Striegl (ST. MARY'S) POSSIBLE 3x GOLD MEDALIST
NO MORE INT. SCHOOLS
***Steve Courtney (KUBASAKI) POSSIBLE 3x GOLD MEDALIST
MOVED SENIOR YEAR
finals
101: Ariel Morano Kubasaki vs Dylan Pablo, Guam High
108: Mark Striegl, St. Mary’s vs ...?
115: Bobby Duncan, Kubasakivs Jordan Foxwell, CAJ
122: Go Yamada, Kinnick vs ...Scott Wood?, Kubasaki
129: Shu Yabui, St. Mary’s vs Shawn Moore, Kinnick
135: Zolboo Enkhbayar, Brent International vs Cameron Butts, Kinnick
141: Kenji Doughty, Kinnick vs Gary Stauffer, Faith Academy
148: Jacob Bloom, Kadena vs Justin L. Miller, Kubasaki
158: Steve Courtney, Kubasaki vs ...probably higa.
168: Ryland Geiger, Brent International vs ...?
180: Zach Dopslaf, Yokota vs ...?
215: Cole Maxey, Kadena vs Blake Reinhold yokota
HVW: David Burnett, Zama American vs (Paul H from kubasaki)
the bolded is who i think will come out on top.. sorry some weight classes i only have one person.. i dont know many people back in the 80's n 90's ish. Still dont think Carlos Albaladejo shoulda been nominated. But other than that this is my pick. =] cant wait to see the finals =P
finals
I'm with you on 80's and early 90's....
101... can't call it prob Kubasaki...
108: Striegl was dam good.. Barr was a Beast, Canlas sooo quick hard to say.. but what fun
115: Duncan and Bailey would have both beat Foxwell imo
122: Pretty sure Go won 129 2003... so... I like Fish
129: Shawn Moore definitely would have pinned Yabui
135: Not seen Butts.. but hard to imagine him beating Zoolboo
141: Agree Doughty Kinnick
148: Miller vs. Flemming, Miller has edge (Flemming wrestled up a weight class to wrestle in a tougher weight class), Smith beats Bloom..
158: can't call....
168: Have to give it to Ray Lamb
180: Dopslaf vs Larsson... would be a war
215: Maxey and Rienhold... great match-up, can't go against Rienhold
275: Love Burnett, great kid, great family great story, but Frink would have won handily.
Mark Hanssen, Yokota Coach 1998-2005
My Pick :)
Finals!
101 - T.J. Aguila (Kub) vs. Ariel Morano (Kub)
108 - Mark Striegl (St. Mary’s) vs. Jon Barr (Faith)
115 - Bobby Duncan (Kub) vs. Jason Bailey (Kinn)
122 - David Fish (ASIJ) vs. Go Yamada (Kinn)
129 - Shawn Moore (Kinn) vs. Randall Hull (Seoul)
135 - Zolboo Enkhbayar (Brent) vs. Cameron Butts (Kinn)
141 - Mike Greeson (Zama) vs. Kenji Doughty (Kinn)
148 - Justin Miller (Kub) vs. Jacob Bloom (Kad)
158 - Steve Courtney (Kub) vs. John Higa (Kub)
168 - Ryland Geiger (Brent) vs. Elbert Bailey (Kub)
180 - Jens Larsson (St. Mary's) vs. Andy Ogawa (ASIJ)
215 - Cole Maxey (Kad) vs. Jamel Smith (Kub)
HWT - David Burnett (Zama) vs. Spencer Frink (Yok)
Champions!
101 - Ariel Morano (Kub)
108 - Mark Striegl (St. Mary's)
115 - Bobby Duncan (Kub)
122 - David Fish (ASIJ)
129 - Shawn Moore (Kinn)
135 - Zolboo Enkhbayar (Brent)
141 - Kenji Doughty (Kinn)
148 - Justin Miller (Kub)
158 - Steve Courtney (Kub)
168 - Ryland Geiger (Brent)
180 - Jens Larsson (St. Mary)
215 - Cole Maxey (Kad)
HWT - David Burnett (Zama)
From Bill May, re: Joy Lashley
Weighing in is Bill May, former head of the wrestling officials association in the Kanto Plain:
My thoughts FWTW:
Hello Orny! I have watched this discussion unfold with some interest, but it seems like many of the most highly touted individuals here competed after I left Japan, so I am at a disadvantage when it comes to commenting about who is best.
Having read through most of these posts, however, I wish now that I could have seen all of the wrestlers mentioned in this discussion, especially the St. Mary’s studs coached by Jon Rhodes.
I have to note here, however, that although this discussion is supposed to arrive at the best 13 wrestlers in the Far East tourney over the last 25 years, it seems that most of the wrestlers being considered are from the last 5-10 years! Of course, this is understandable because these are the wrestlers who are freshest in people’s minds. But, this is also grounded in the mistaken belief that there is an evolution in talent, i.e., that the wrestlers from 2000-2008 are somehow better, more accomplished than those 1983-1990.
For this reason, I would like to make the case for Joy Lashley who, for whatever reason, has never received the recognition he is due.
Lashley is the first wrestler (as far as I know) in the Far East tourney to win three titles (1-1-2-1) and defeated two wrestlers voted Outstanding Wrestler although he himself never received the award. I don't think there are many wrestlers in 25 years at the Far East who can say they have defeated an OW, not to say anything about two OWs.
Lashley’s only loss came in 1987 at the hands of Brian Hughes at 122. (Hughes was named OW that year) Lash rebounded to defeat David Fish (OW 1988) on the second day of the tourney for the silver.
(On Hughes’ behalf, I have to say that he was one of the more accomplished wrestlers I have seen in the Far East tourney to win only one title. He could have easily had one or two more titles if not for Lashley and St. Mary’s teammate Robert Treacher.)
In 1988, Lashley was a natural 129-pounder but John Hohenthanner had him up at 135 in preparation for another meeting with Hughes -- Battle by the Bay II. This match between two technically refined warriors, eventually won 4-3 by Lashley, completely enthralled an SRO crowd at Thew Gym and was easily the best match ever in the Far East tourney. (Sorry Orny, not Simon and Iijima!)
For those unfamiliar with Lashley, he was a lanky wrestler with deceptive strength, uncanny balance, and an unorthodox style of wrestling. He may have lost a match or two on the Kanto Plains, but in the Far East he was, for the most part, untouchable. And, even though, I haven’t seen the Far East in a number of years, it is hard to imagine that anyone in these last 20 years could have beaten him.
Okay, ‘nuff said.
More from Bill May, re: Lashley, other topics
More comment from Bill May, including some clarification re: his role in Kanto officiating.
Hello Orny and Jeff!
Thank you, Jeff. Any suggestion that Lashley was wrestling “like a Russian,” I’m sure, will be taken by Joy and John Hohenthanner as the kindest of compliments. It is no accident that year after year the Russians have the most world and European champions and many coaches and wrestlers around the world try to emulate the Russian technique and approach to wrestling. Thanks, again.
However, any suggestion that Lashley may have been stalling in his match with Hughes calls to mind the words of the late, great President Ronald Reagan: “There you go again!”
If you will recall, Hughes opened with a beautiful 3-point hiplock against Lashley early in the first period. (I remember Hohenthanner and assistant coach Doug Ofstedahl checking their pockets for aspirin because it looked like a long -- or maybe a very short -- afternoon ahead!) So, Lashley had no reason to sit back and play the edge because he was trailing the previous tourney’s Outstanding Wrestler 0-3! Instead, Lash got to work and started chipping away at the deficit. He did not score the go-ahead point until late in the third period and then went into "match-management" mode to secure the win.
Again, I reiterate that Brian Hughes was one of the finest wrestlers to ever wrestle in the Far East -- even though he had only one title. And, Joy and the St. Mary’s coaching staff had nothing but respect and admiration for Brian’s abilities. In fact, I would pick him to win over many of the more recent multi-titlists mentioned in this blog.
But, in this particular match on this particular day between two of the Far East tourney’s finest, Lashley came out on top with a combination of determination and patience and mat savvy! But, regardless of the winner, this has to be the greatest exhibition of wrestling I have ever seen at the Far East tourney.
Re Simon-Iijima, yes, it was a classic! However, I can only wonder what might have happened if John Hohenthanner had remained at St. Mary’s. I believe that Daniel’s focus and preparation would have been different under John’s guidance -- and with that, perhaps, the result. (On the other hand, if John had stayed at St. Mary's, we may never have seen the success of the Jon Rhodes years!)
P.S. As for the mythical semi-finals listed here, I was fortunate enough to see Shawn Moore wrestle before I left Japan. I would have to say that Shawn was a very accomplished wrestler, but his style would have played right into the hands of Lashley. He might have gotten to Joy’s legs, but then he would have been wrapped up like lunch for a boa constrictor! (Here, think of a “Bouvaisa Saitiev” for the Far East) Ditto for Hughes, Yamada may have given Brian a match for a minute or two, but Hughes has too many weapons in his arsenal for this to go the distance.
PS2: Just as a point of clarification, I was never the head of any wrestling officials group. During my time in the Kanto Plains, I merely served as a liaison between the Kanto Plains wrestling coaches and the officials of the East Japan Collegiate Wrestling Association. Their instructors included Yoshimitsu Naito, a former gold whistle recipient from FILA, and other members of the Japan Wrestling Federation.
My job was to make sure the officials made it to the competitions on time (not always successfully) and to make sure the officials knew what to expect from the wrestlers and coaches at the competitions. My own understanding of the rules, by the way, were informed by Mr. Naito, my own mentor Mr. Yo*****aka Ban, FILA vice president Mario Saletnig, FILA instructor Kim Ik-Jong, head of the USWOA Rick Tucci and countless other officials from FILA, Japan and the United States. (And still, there were a number of coaches who thought my eyes were brown for the obvious reasons!!)
Winners of Semifinal Matchups
101 – Ariel Morano Kubasaki 1983; Tom Chavez Kubasaki 1993
108 – Mark Striegl, St. Mary’s, 2004; Rae Canlas, Yokota, 2003
115 – Jordan Foxwell, CAJ 2004; Bobby Duncan, Kubasaki, 2000.
122 – David Fish, ASIJ 1988; Go Yamada, Kinnick, 2003
129 – Joy Lashley, St. Mary’s, 1988; Shu Yabui, St. Mary’s 2004
135 – Zolboo Enkhbayar, Brent International 2003; Cameron Butts, Kinnick, 2009.
141 – ?????
148 – Justin L. Miller, Kubasaki, 1999; Jacob Bloom, Kadena, 2008, vs. Mundre Fleming, Kadena, 2002
158 – John Higa, Kubasaki, 1984; Steve Courtney, Kubasaki, 2006.
168 – Ryland Geiger, Brent International, 2005; ?????? (other match up not sure)
180 – Jens Larsson, St. Mary’s, 1991; Zach Dopslaf, Yokota, 2006
215 – Cole Maxey, Kadena, 2005; Daniel Polaski, Zama American, 2008
Heavyweight – David Burnett, Zama American, 2005; Spencer Frink, Yokota, 2002.
These are my finalists for the top 13 wrestlers...I'm gonna take another few days to think about who would win these matches. All these wrestlers were so different in style and were faced with way different levels of competition. Back to the comments made by Coach Edmonds and Misawa, although I disagree that Decalio or Morris should be nominated there are definitely some outstanding wrestlers from Edgren including Louie Lee...had he not lost in the finals his senior year I would have voted for him... and had Kevin and Kenneth not moved after sophomore year they would have left their mark here in the Far East and been up there as well. My picks are very unbiased and well thought out. Wrestlers I have not seen, do not remember, or havn't heard of were left out because I don't want to just guess or be biased and just pick wrestlers from my era and team.
101 - Augila vs. Chavez -
101 - Augila vs. Chavez - Augila
108 - Streigl vs. Canlas - Streigl
115 - Foxwell vs. Bailey - Bailey
122 - Wood vs. Yamada - Yamada
129 - Moore vs. Yabui - Yabui
135 - Enkhbayar vs. Butts - Enkhbayar
141 - Doughty vs. Stauffer - Doughty
148 - Miller vs. Bloom - Bloom
158 - Albaladejo vs. Courtney - Courtney
168 - Geiger vs. Lamb - Geiger
180 - Larsson vs. Dopslaff - Larsson
215 - Maxey vs. Reinhold - Maxey
285 - Burnett vs. Huffman - Burnett
Semi finals
Hi folks. still enjoying the banter. Really enjoyed Bill May's excellent recount of one of the all time best matches in my 16 years at far east (Lashley-Hughes). Lashley got the lead and then worked the edge like a russian. It was an amazing battle. Just spoke with former Far East Champ, Major Chris Murray, USMC (148, 1992) and even though we're talking about best 13, he suggested a discussion of "Best Match". The Lashley-Hughes bout would be in there, as well as Ijima and Lindbloom from 1991. Anyone remember that? I showed that video to every team I ever coached after that just to prove that what the mind of man could conceive and believe, it could achieve. Stay tuned. jp
Re: Semi finals
JP:
Simon-Ijima in 1992 has to be in that conversation also, as I stated earlier. Just like that 1988 Hughes-Lashley bout at Far East, everything in the Dragons' Den just stopped dead. No action on the other mat. All eyes riveted on the two combatants. Simon decisions Iijima in a bout for the ages.
Bouts of the ages
Orny, as I remember it, we expected Ijima-Simon to be the match that it was because Linbloom turned him away the year before in maybe the upset of the last 25 years. Remember that Lindbloom got pinned in his first match and worked his way back into the finals. I'm not sure that Major Lindbloom would have wanted to wrestle him again the next day but it was purely a case of someone who had one shot at a title and who had come back from the brink and arrived at exactly the perfect state of mind vs a very fine wrestler who thought he was in a walkover for the title. back at ya. jp
Excellent Bill
What a great treatise re the Hughes Lashley bout and I totally agree with the later predictions re Moore-Lashley or Hughes-Yamada. I guess you had to be there. The Russian comparison came after I watched the Russians win decisively at the Olympics in Seoul. Their plan was simple and they worked it to perfection. I complain only in admiration. This is really fun.
Note from Brian Hughes, Kubasaki c/o 88
Hey gentlemen, how goes it?
As chance would have it, I was signing graduation certificates for my Marines this afternoon (I'm the CO at Logistics Operations School in Camp Lejeune, NC) and one of their first names was "Joy". I hadn't come across a guy named Joy since I wrestled Lashley in 88, so I decided to Google him. That brought me to your blog. I have to say I'm pretty humbled to still be getting compliments in the halls of Far East Wrestling. Thanks! The names brought back some great memories too. Though I have to cringe a bit that only 2 total points separated me from being a 3x Far East Champ! ha. I think it was 9-8 against Treacher as a sophmore (I wasn't in Oki my freshman year); and the 4-3 loss against Lashley as a senior. Character builders both though. Treacher I think was double jointed! I remember I had the deepest arm bar I could muster and could get zero leverage to turn him. It was like wrestling Stretch Armstrong! Funny what you remember. I also recall Fish just being an animal. I knew I would beat him because of his inexperience, but I also knew it would be dangerous to get wrapped up by him. VERY strong kid. Lashley and I had COMPLETELY different styles. I don't think he was ready for my "always forward" (though not always smart) style in '87, so I beat him badly... pinned him with like 1 second left in the match. In '88, he was clearly motivated and better equipped to absorb the aggression. Being used to refs on Okinawa throwing "Cautions" and taking points if you weren't working and advancing, I quickly got frustrated and Joy took advantage of every mistake. He was indeed uncannily strong and could seemingly reach and entangle every part of his opponent. Very strategic, very collected. And WOW, Ariel Morano... the little power house who I could NEVER beat at our open tourneys on Oki! ha. He was like greased lightning. And one last note. I was glad to see Elbert Bailey in the Quarter Finals too. He was on my team and was one of the most natural athletes I've ever met. Great guy and smart too. Columbia undergrad and Harvard Business School grad. Have fun with the voting. I'm glad to be considered.
Cheers.
Brian.
Re: Note from Brian Hughes, Kubasaki c/o 88
Brian:
Great to hear from you! This thing has really brought folks out of the woodwork. Has it really been 21 years? Cheers.
Re: Note from Brian Hughes, Kubasaki c/o 88
21 years and about 60 lbs my friend! Has Jeff Pellaton chimed in? I think he is still at Ramstein, but don't know how to contact him.
s/f,
brian.
brian, coach p, and dave --
brian, coach p, and dave -- appreciate the mentions and honoured for the consideration! indeed, i will never forget the hughes-lashley BATTLE!! brian -- me, you, donald, and john gotta get together when i'm back in cali.
check this out -- teaching wrestling now at Evolve MMA in Singapore! http://evolve-mma.com/.
cheers,
e.
Nostalgic 80’s
As an average scrub wrester back then, I still fondly remember many late night runs in snow covered, chilly January in Seoul and doing endless push ups in my room while “envisioning” all those wrestling powerhouse foes from Kanto and Okinawa.
Great to see old names again, “Tiger” Bailey, Brian Hughes, Fish, Lashley, and many others.
Have learned a lot of life lessons from the wrestling and for that I am always grateful. Man, I wish I could go back 20 yrs. :-)
- Tony Park (Hicks)
SAHS '88
USMA '94