Men's freestyle Olympic Games session 1 quotes
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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
08/27/2004
55 kg/121 lbs. - Stephen Abas, Fresno, Calif. (Sunkist Kids) After you took the early lead, did you want to take control of the match? "I think after that 30 seconds, I pretty much took charge of it already. I realized that I couldn't get out of hand and wrestle sloppy. I decided to go out, stay in good position and pick my shots as good as I can." Did you plan to start fast in this match? "He just got off of a match maybe a half hour ago, so I knew he was going to be a little winded and I decided to go out there real hard and score fast." What did you do different in this match than your last one against him? "I think more than anything, just keeping a level head and not letting the points scored determine how I wrestled. I got up on him 5-0 last time and he came back and scored on me." 66 kg/145.5 lbs. - Jamill Kelly, Stillwater, Okla. (Gator WC) Did the long wait until your match get to you at all? "Having to be the last match, and everyone was winning, I don't want to be the one that loses. It's just another tournament. The first match is always going to be the toughest, especially at this level." 84 kg/185 lbs. - Cael Sanderson, Ames, Iowa (Sunkist Kids) Does it feel like the Olympics to you? "I think reality is setting in now. It's just another wrestling tournament. I've got to out there and do the same things I've been doing my whole life and just enjoy it. That's why I wrestle anyways, so I have to keep that in perspective." Would you rather have both matches this morning? "It doesn't matter. You've just got to take what they give you. It would be nice to have a bye all the way into the finals, but it doesn't work that way. You've got to earn it." Did you have trouble scoring in this match? "The guy is real defensive. He doesn't shoot a lot. I knew he was waiting for me to shoot and he was looking to counter. He got away a few times. I need to be quicker on my finished. But I'm just glad to get that first win." 120 kg/264.5 lbs. - Kerry McCoy, Bethlehem, Pa. (New York AC) Do the matches get easier or harder as the tournament goes? "Harder. Every round is going to be harder than the next. The bottom line is you have to perform your best every time. Win or go home is the way it is for us. I just have to be at my best every time. I felt a little better - more relaxed this last match. If I can keep the ball rolling, it's going to be a fun couple of days." How invaluable is Olympic experience for you? "Competition is competition. World Championships, the Olympics, winter tours, everything is just going out trying to be your best. Obviously the Olympics is the bigger stage than some of those other events. One of the biggest benefits for me being here before was just knowing how some of the things run."