Final Minute
-Nestor Zapata
As we approached the lights coming out of the tunnel, I still had not looked at my opponent once. From my peripheral, all I can notice was that he was definitely Goliath and I was David. I've wrestled guys his size before but this was the semi-final match in the San Diego County Masters Championships and the winner was guaranteed a spot at the California State Championships.
My opponent was Jose Leon from Vista, California, a school known very well for their wrestling program. The whole match he dominated, controlling the tempo and being quite impossible to take down. As we entered the final period he led the match 11-3 and I knew his strategy going into would be to stall and keep his distance. So I moved left to right, shoot single leg take downs and double leg take downs. I was looking for every possible angle to get the the take him down. As the final minute approached I thought I might try something he'd never expect and something I rarely due. I tied up with him with and over under grapple and made sure I had it locked in. As he struggles to break away from it I heard my coach yell short time which meant I only had 30 seconds left. It was now or never. so I gave one final push for him to push back and give me that momentum to arch back and throw him over my shoulder. I had him om his back and held on with every once of energy I had left. I heard the slam of a hand and a final whistle blow. It was over and it was my hand that the ref lifted and it was my face that smiled as I knew I was going to the Ship.
My opponent was Jose Leon from Vista, California, a school known very well for their wrestling program. The whole match he dominated, controlling the tempo and being quite impossible to take down. As we entered the final period he led the match 11-3 and I knew his strategy going into would be to stall and keep his distance. So I moved left to right, shoot single leg take downs and double leg take downs. I was looking for every possible angle to get the the take him down. As the final minute approached I thought I might try something he'd never expect and something I rarely due. I tied up with him with and over under grapple and made sure I had it locked in. As he struggles to break away from it I heard my coach yell short time which meant I only had 30 seconds left. It was now or never. so I gave one final push for him to push back and give me that momentum to arch back and throw him over my shoulder. I had him om his back and held on with every once of energy I had left. I heard the slam of a hand and a final whistle blow. It was over and it was my hand that the ref lifted and it was my face that smiled as I knew I was going to the Ship.
Comments
Post a Comment