Dom Bradley squares off against rival Jarod Trice in the 120 kg freestyle finals at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Robbert Wijtman photo

The freestyle heavyweight gold medal match at the 2012 Dave Schultz Memorial International was a battle between two familiar foes.

Dom Bradley of the Sunkist Kids took the title when he defeated the Gator Wrestling Club’s Jarod Trice. Both of the finalists are on their Olympic redshirt year from college.

College wrestling fans may remember that Bradley, competing for Missouri, beat Trice, from Central Michigan, in the third-place match at the 2011 NCAA Championships in Philadelphia by a 3-2 margin. 

Bradley estimated that he and Trice had wrestled as many as 20 times before. This time, the match went down to the last period, with Bradley winning 0-1, 1-0, 1-0.

“Our match was real different than what we usually wrestle, we usually both score takedowns. It’s just a grind every time we wrestle,” Bradley said. “He’s one of the people I respect the most that I wrestle because he always brings it no matter what. I really like wrestling him, he’s good competition.”

Today’s victory at the Schultz Memorial was aided by the fact that Bradley is able to focus solely on freestyle during his redshirt year. Bradley, who was a Junior World Champion in freestyle in 2009, is now able to prepare full time for the U.S. Olympic Trials in April. 

“I never got to wrestle freestyle in college for more than a month or so, and now I can focus on what I need to do to be the best,” Bradley said. “Training six or seven months for freestyle is a big difference for me and I want to be able to go out there and compete with (the best).”

Bradley has seen improvement in his freestyle wrestling, both technically and tactically.

“Now, I’m able to focus on the things that will make me better like more explosive lifts and being able to come in at different times and work out. It’s just different getting to go overseas and wrestle more guys internationally and getting that experience,” Bradley added. 

The Schultz Memorial allows guys like Bradley and the rest of top American athletes to face against top level international competition in addition to the top wrestlers from the U.S.

Bradley defeated Sunny Dhinsa of Canada and Ramzan Magomedov of Russia on the way to the finals on Saturday.

“I really look forward to wrestling the foreigners,” said Bradley. “I also feel like the best heavyweights in the world are right here in the U.S. I feel like I have my opportunity to go out there and wrestle those guys at the Senior level. I feel it’s my turn to go out there and get my chance and opportunity and earn it against the top guys.”

Bradley is looking ahead now, to the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, slated for April 21-22 in Iowa City, where he hopes to represent the U.S. at the Games in London. Although he is hopeful about making the team, Bradley realizes the tough road ahead. 

“It’s a tough bracket to be in. There are some really good guys and I’m excited about it.” Bradley said. “In terms of preparation, I’m training hard and going out there to compete like I can. I still feel like I haven’t reached my potential yet in freestyle and I hope by April 22, I’m at the top.”