Stephen Abas answered all questions about his ability at the 2004 U.S. National Championships, defeating 2000 Olympic silver medalist Sammie Henson 3-0 in the finals.    Last year, Abas fought his way through what could be called the toughest pool at 55 kg/121 lbs. in the World Championships before losing a heartbreaking match in the quarterfinals to eventual silver medalist Ghenadie Tulbea of Moldova.    TheMat.com sat down with Abas and spoke with him about those matches and his goals for this year.    TheMat.com: You made the move this year to the Olympic Training Center. Why?  Abas: To just put more time in with my par terre. That was one of the main areas I needed to work on. Being at the training center gave me the best chance to get better there. It was the best move for me all-around.    TheMat.com: When Sammie Henson made the decision to wrestle in the Takhti Cup, all questions had been answered about his comeback. Did that motivate you any further?  Abas: It was a little surprising. He was coming in and out of retirement the last two years. It's an Olympic year and I expect anybody that feels they have a chance to come out. It wasn't any more motivating for me. I felt I was already past Sammie. I was comfortable with or without him in there.    TheMat.com: Before U.S. Nationals, the last time you had seen Henson was in 2000 when he defeated you. What was different with your Henson match this year from the match in 2000?  Abas: In 2000, I was still just a little kid. I've won international tournamnets the past couple of years. That alone has put me in a good position to face Sammie as a man now instead of a young kid.    TheMat.com: With such a deep weight class, how much of a benefit is it for you to have a two-day break before you have to wrestle in the Olympic Trials?  Abas: It's going to be a great benefit. Last year was my first experience with (sitting out). The guys are all going to wrestle real hard and get each other tired. They are going to beat each other up and have some intense matches. In the meantime, I am just going to be sitting back and waiting for my opponent. It's going to be a grinder.    TheMat.com: How much more pressure do you feel there is in this Trials than the ones in the past three years?  Abas: I heard that the pressure is going to be on with this being the Olympic year. I don't feel that. I have been waiting for this moment for many years and this is my time. I just have to go out and make the team and go from there. I've trained my whole life for this year and I don't see anybody taking it away from me.    TheMat.com: Is there anyone in the U.S. that can beat you? Why not?  Abas: No. With me, I learn faster and I learn better by actually going through the motion. The one thing that I've learned is that Im learning how these Americans wrestle. The styles of the other countries is holding me back right now. As for the U.S., I've wrestled these guys many times. I know how they move. I know what they do.    TheMat.com: Your loss in the World Championships quarterfinals last year seemed to be a crushing blow to you at the time, especially after you won arguably the toughest pool in your weight class. How long did it take for you to recover from that match mentally?  Abas: I'm not sure how long it took me. It was a hard loss. I've thought about it a lot. I have just worked on being positive, looking at things, improving on my weaknesses. I just have to get myself ready for next time. I've taken every precaution and done everything that I need to.    TheMat.com: When you train, do you train for anyone specifically, or are you only looking to improve yourself, forcing others to wrestle your style?  Abas: The past couple of years I did train for a couple of guys. I remember specifically training for Rene Montero because of his style and the type of shots he was taking. I think it really depends on who the person is and how you match up with them. I'm willing to learn about my opponents and train for specific guys.    TheMat.com: Was it hard for you to leave Fresno State, your home for so long, where you are an assistant coach and where your brother Gerry is?  Abas: It wasn't very hard. Moving out to Colorado Springs was just another step, another way to make myself better.     TheMat.com: Have you thought about your career after this season? Will you continue to compete no matter what happens?  Abas: I think I will. If anything, I may take a little time off. I can't imagine not wrestling. The thought of not wrestling next year is probably the only year I would take off. I'm going to be training any ways, so why not wrestle?