wrestling

Japan launches petition site to lobby for wrestling

23 Comments

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Uh Spudman, Wrestling has been a traditional sports for the olympics even in Ancient Greece, so whoever had the idea to drop wrestling should have his head examined. A link to the JWF site would have been nice.

13 ( +12 / -0 )

So this is why they want it in

What exactly is wrong with Japan wanting a sport that they are good at in the Olympics?

5 ( +7 / -3 )

It was great to see all the countries at the recent Wrestling tournament in Iran get together and sign a cooperation statement regarding getting wrestling back into the Olympics. The signatories included Iran and the US together, and all the participants showing good will and friendship.

Here's to hoping that they are sucessfull!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

They should have pushed for it when it mattered, then.

The only "push" that could've saved wrestling would be of the illegal under-the-table kind. Fortunately or unfortunately, the wrestling federations of the world didn't go that route. In the end, one of the original sports at the Olympics is gone, and we're left with the rich guys playing golf. I can't see myself sitting through four rounds of golf play at the Olympics.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Wrestling at the Olympics have produced many great moments. I remember the Iranian wrestler and American wrestler who hugged after their match at the last Olympics, and where else but the Olympics will you ever see an Iranian and American show affection like that? I'll also miss seeing wrestlers like Saori Yoshida carrying their coaches on their shoulders after winning.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The problem with wrestling is that there are presently 3 types in the Olympics: Judo, Greco-roman and Freestyle. They are essentially the same thing though ( a bit like all those swimming events). I like to watch a bit of wrestling, but would love to see a "unified" Olympic Rules version. All the three (and other variants) could continue with their respective teaching, but then adopt the Olympic version. Bragging rights to the winning style. I'd favour a mixed martials arts as well, instead of Tae Kwon Do, Karate and Wu Shu (kung fu).

Anyway, 2016 is ALL about Rugby 7s. This event will re-define the Olympics, I predict it will be the standout event.

1 ( +3 / -1 )

If they were truly hoping the sport itself were to be in the 2020 Olympics they would have done all this promoting BEFORE it was canned.

I guess they could have done that if they were mind-readers. Failing that, how did you expect them to protest something they did not know was going to happen until this month?

The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) executive board made a surprise recommendation this month to drop the sport from the 2020 Games

1 ( +4 / -3 )

@smithinjapan

Really looks like you are piling blame on the victims. Do you honestly believe that the wrestling federation were aware that golf guru's were serenading the IOC? Moreover, the IOC will stand to gain more by playing sports off against each other - more "gifts" from both sides to line their pockets. Surely you get that? But then again, if you did, you would naturally think it corrupt and fall behind the wrestling lobby - who clearly haven't been bribing people (yet).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

In with wrestling!

0 ( +2 / -2 )

So this is why they want it in... not because of history, not because of the sport, but because it not being there might mean less medals for Japan. Quite pathetic. If they were truly hoping the sport itself were to be in the 2020 Olympics they would have done all this promoting BEFORE it was canned.

No smith. It's because the statement is made by Japan WRESTLING Federation. Of course, they want their sports to be included in the Olympics. But if you are trying to get support for their cause domestically (signatures), it's only natural that they appeal through medal count.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

They should have pushed for it when it mattered, then.

I have no idea what this means. It's a secret ballot that IOC members determine which core sports events should remain. It was a sudden and surprising decision which is obvious by the reaction from wrestling community all over the world. Don't you think the various wrestling organization throughout the world try to promote their sports year in and year out? Perhaps maybe you are suggesting something under the table to the IOC members??

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The announcement was made on the 12th and Japan and the global community reacted on the 13th.

http://thestar.com.my/sports/story.asp?file=/2013/2/13/sports/ioc-plays-down-wrestlings-exit-after-global-uproar&sec=

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Oh, no! Save badminton, a real competitive sport in ancient Greece. The IOC is only interested in TV sales of venues. The next sport will be the wife carrying competition. Greeks did it when they carried their comrades off the battle field. "Show me the money" has always been true in the IOC, including the awarding of the next venue and judging, so why should it change now?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The link is on change.org - https://www.change.org/save_wrestling

Or you can go to the japan wrestling homepage, and get the link from there http://www.japan-wrestling.jp/2013/02/27/26616/

The people in the sport at grass roots level are not in it for the "tally" - they love the sport and are darn good at it, and they want a global platform in which they can compete and demonstrate their hard work. We don;t really need another golf tournament do we? We don't even need football at the Olympics (female excepted) as the event actually drains resource from the regular season preparation, etc. Keep it pure.

@smithinjapan - it looks like you may have misunderstood where the greed is - it isn't within wrestling, it is at IOC level, and how much they can milk the sporting world. They really should return to promoting sport.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

nigelboy: "Of course, they want their sports to be included in the Olympics."

They should have pushed for it when it mattered, then.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Call it 'mind reading' if you think understanding the obvious requires psychic powers.

I do not think a 'sudden announcement' qualifies as something being obvious before the announcement. That is the definition of sudden.

They should have pushed for it when it mattered, then.

When exactly do you think they should have pushed for it?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

It's been well known for two weeks, but still somehow forgotten by Japanese,

This is incorrect. Both Japanese wrestlers and the federation stated their opposition to this move. So did the wrestlers and federation members of other countries.

no one pushed for wrestling

Again, this is incorrect. The announcement produced an instant wave of anger and protest from the sport's global community, including Japan's.

BEFORE it was too late

Again, exactly when you do say they should have done something?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I would definitely miss all those cute, musclebound gals with their cauliflower ears.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

nigelboy: "I have no idea what this means."

No surprise there, but that aside you would have done well as those suddenly pushing for wrestling would have done well if you did it BEFORE it was too late. It's been well known for two weeks, but still somehow forgotten by Japanese, no one pushed for wrestling while the other events were being pushed for and now there simply is not enough cheese for the amount of wining.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

slumdog: "What exactly is wrong with Japan wanting a sport that they are good at in the Olympics?"

Nothing, except that they pretend to be for the sport when in reality they are for the tally. Have you not seen the people saying things like, "Why are they targeting sports Japan is good at??"?

"I guess they could have done that if they were mind-readers. Failing that, how did you expect them to protest something they did not know was going to happen until this month?"

You don't have to be a mind-reader to know that you should support something you love even when it doesn't give you gold in return, and in this case, do some promotion when you know, as usual, you might not make the cut. It was clearly stated that wrestling has, as in the past, been on the chopping block, but what was done? NOTHING. Other sports pitched themselves and gained ground while greedy morons like the now 'retired' Olympic Wrestling head sat back and expected the sport would be included.

A sad slap in the face, but a needed one. Call it 'mind reading' if you think understanding the obvious requires psychic powers.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Japan also won medals for baseball, maybe they should focus on popular sports.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

'“We won four gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics and at least one at 15 straight competitions (at the Games),” the JWF said on the site.'

So this is why they want it in... not because of history, not because of the sport, but because it not being there might mean less medals for Japan. Quite pathetic. If they were truly hoping the sport itself were to be in the 2020 Olympics they would have done all this promoting BEFORE it was canned.

-11 ( +3 / -14 )

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