Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Nick Sales (Yokota) 3-0 Following his 5th at the last Far East with an undefeated record this year, Nick appears to be the Goliath in a land of giants. He has a win against Maddix (#3). 2. Carlos Robles (Kubasaki) 1-0 For most of the weight classes, wrestlers are not listed unless they've had at least two matches, but the trees are a little thinner in the forest that is the heavyweight class. Carlos is undefeated until someone knocks him off that perch. 3. Maddix Larue (MC Perry) 2-1 When you're a big guy, and your only loss is to the #1 wrestler in the weight class (Nick), you're doing pretty well. He beat Dylan (#5). Hope Maddix meets more maulers in matches this season. 4. Matthew Araya (St. Mary's) 2-2 One of the lighter heavies, Matthew has platooned at 215, where his two losses have come to Noah (#3 at 215) and to Shawn (#2 at 215). He's undefeated at HWT. 5. Dylan Evans (Kinnick) 1-1 Having lost to Maddix (#3), Dylan is looking to build on what's he's got so he can take one of the top spots in the PAC-East and KPASS races.
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Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Bobby Crisafulli (Kinnick) 2-0 A tech and a pin started off Bobby's season with a bang. After beating Christian (HM), he'll be looking to keep the momentum going the rest of the year in this deep weight class. 2. Shawn Dobberfuhl (ASIJ) 3-1 His 5th at Far East in 2020, his pin against Matthew (#4 at HWT), his tech against Luke (HM), and his 10-9 loss to Toy (see below) give Shawn the slight edge over Noah (#3). 3. Noah Cruz (Yokota) 5-1 How does a 12-10 win against Matthew (#4 at HWT) and pins of Braden (#4) and Jeffrey (#5) to go on top of scoring 15/15 team points for the Panthers against other D2 schools sound? Noah's only loss so far was by pin to Toy (see below). 4. Braden Dudley (Kubasaki) 4-2 Starting out the season 3-0 while shifting up to HWT a little, Braden looks pretty good so far. His losses are to Noah (#3) and Toy (see below). 5. Jeffrey Woolard (Zama) 2-1 While not being a name we've heard called in previous years, Jeffrey has done what it takes to score max team points in two of Zama's three dual meets, losing only to Noah (#3). Honorable mention: Luke Robottom (St. Mary's) 1-1, who tech'ed Noah (#3) to take fifth at the 2020 Far East, has lost only to Shawn (#2) this year. Christian Hecox (EJ King) 1-1, who's only loss so far is to Bobby (#1), is maybe a sign of the impending rise of EJ King in the Far East standings. Special mention: Toy Williams (Osan) was one of the "lost year" wrestlers (2021 grads) allowed to participate in the Azabu Ward tournament. He was #2 at the 2020 Far East, but he tore through this year's Top Five in the 215 bracket, pinning Braden (#4) and Noah (#3), and decisioning Shawn (#2) in the final to make up for last time. Toy is an assistant coach at a high school near where he goes to college in the US, so it was great to have him back in Japan working with, and dropping knowledge on, the kids a little bit (though I'm sure these three are glad they'll never see him as an opponent on the mat again). Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-)
1. Kaleb Leon Guerrero (Kinnick) 2-0 After taking #2 in the most recent Far East, Kaleb is the king of the hill unless someone topples him. No one who's seen him wrestle before wants to be his opponent on the mat. 2(t) Kai Harbert (Yokota) 3-0 Sometimes experience at Far East can be the defining moment that changes a wrestler's entire trajectory. Kai's is headed straight up right now, having taken 15/15 possible team points in D2 matches this season. 2(t). Joey Puterbaugh (Kadena) 2-0 When you pin everyone the opposition throws at you, that's an indication you're cooking with gas. Joey has looked sharp in limited opportunities. We need him to go against Kai (#2) and Kaleb (#1). Okinawa's part of Japan, right? 4(t). Harald Hoberg (ASIJ) 1-1 4(t). Ziez McCoy (Zama) 1-1 4(t). Ashton Wall (EJ King) 1-1 After the top three, the picture gets a little blurrier. The others at 180 with wins have only lost to the cream of the crop: Harald to Takatoshi (#2 at 158), Ziez to Kai (#2), and Ashton to Kaleb (#1). We'll need a little more competition for this to shake out, but it's good to see EJ King in the rankings (and LOVE that the team is up an running). Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1(t). Douglass Tackney (Edgren) 3-0 Building on his dual meet wins at the 2020 Far East, Douglass has soared to new heights this year. He's undefeated in three dual meets for the Eagles. He's also the only one with prior varsity experience in Japan at this weight class. 1(t). Jeremiah Drummer (Kadena) 3-0 Starting off your first three matches as your school's varsity representative with a tech, a pin, and a tech is pretty, pretty good. Can't wait to see Jeremiah wrestle outside of Okinawa. 3(t). James Curtis (ASIJ) 2-0 When your entire wrestling experience in Japan can be boiled down to two victories in about a minute on the mat total, you know there's a little magic there. James needs more opportunities. 3(t). Jatarius Watkins (Kinnick) 2-0 Is this a relative of Lucas? A 10-for-10 in team points against EJ King and MC Perry so far is an indicator that Jatarius is on to something. We need these guys to all go against each other. 5. Dylan Thomson (ASIJ) 4-2 Creating opportunities for himself, Dylan has 2-3 times the number of matches that the rest of the Top Five have. He's undefeated against 168-ers, and he's stuck with top of the class at 158 when trying his hand there: win vs Joshua (#5), losses to Jo (#4) and Kurt (#1). This weight class is up for grabs at the moment. When your Top Five are all undefeated against other 168-pounders, there needs to be a lot more matches. One of these five, or maybe someone from another weight class, or maybe someone who just hasn't had the opportunity to compete yet, has to come forward to take the crown at 168. Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Kurt Chapman (Kadena) 7-0 This reigning Far East champ has not let up in the slightest. Wins against Dylan (#5 at 168), Joshua (#5), and Jo (#4) indicate Kurt is no paper tiger (er, Panther). 2(t). Owen Taylor (Yokota) 3-0 Making the most of his prior Far East experience, Owen is propelling the Panthers to the pinnacle of the D2 field. Tech-tech-pin. 2(t). Takatoshi Kanemura (CAJ) 3-0 Scoring 51 points in his three matches so far, you know you're going to see fireworks when Takatoshi is on the mat. He's got wins over Jo (#4) and Harald (#4 at 180). 4. Jo Inoue (St. Mary's) 4-2 Having a 4th place Far East finish in his resume, Jo has held his own against the best wrestlers this year. He beat Joshua (#5) and Dylan (#5 at 168) while losing to Takatoshi (#2) and Kurt (#1). 5. Joshua Hernandez (Kinnick) 3-3 Picking up pins against opponents from three different schools, Joshua's losses have come to Dylan (#5 at 168), Jo (#4), and Kurt (#1). He wins the ones you should and is competitive against higher ranked wrestlers. Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Take Zoot (ASIJ) 4-0 Tech'ing a Far East champ and winning against Tate (#2) in the Azabu Ward tournament finals puts Take squarely in the pole position. Is there anyone in this loaded weight class who can challenge him? 2. Tate Rannow (Yokota) 5-1 Motor, skill, and a little folkstyle funk has made Tate a fixture among the top of the weight class. He's beaten both Sebastian (#5) and Kirby (#5), only losing to Take (#1). 3. Godfrey Wray (Kubasaki) 4-1 After dropping his first match of the year, Godfrey has tech'ed everyone in his path, including Taiyo (#4). Another Azabu Ward bracket winner, we need to see him against Tate (#2) and Take (#1). 4. Taiyo Mitsuoka (St. Mary's) 4-2 A rookie on the rise, Taiyo has been making noise and will be someone to watch as he develops his technique and endurance. He took 2nd to Godfrey (#3) at Azabu. 5(t). Sebastian Sanchez (Edgren) 2-1 Having only lost to Tate (#2) so far this season, it looks like Sebastian will be trouble for his opponents. His 10 out of 10 team points in dual meet wins is outstanding. 5(t). Kirby Kendrick (MC Perry) 2-1 Another wrestler who's only loss is to Tate (#2), Kirby tech'ed and pinned his way through matches in dual meets against EJ King and Kinnick. Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Caleb Jones (Yokota) 3-0 A podium placer at the 2020 Far East, Caleb looks stronger and faster than ever. His undefeated start to the season places him firmly at the top position. 2. Justice Rose (Kinnick) 2-0 His prior Far East experience is paying dividends in limited action so far this season. Justice will look to stay undefeated and take over the top spot when Kinnick and Yokota wrestle. 3. Jeff Owens (Kubasaki) 4-2 Looking to improve on his 5th place Far East finish in 2020, Jeff has outscored opponents 32-0 with a pin in victories this year. He is undefeated against true 141-ers. 4. Nikolas Hawkins (Edgren) 2-1 When your only loss is to the #1 kid in the weight class, you know you're doing something right. Nikolas looks to soar as the Eagles fly against the rest of their schedule. 5. Wayne Ho (St. Mary's) 2-2 Despite only wrestling under modified rules, Wayne has somehow found a way to get four matches in. He has never been shut out, and has scored tech falls in his wins. Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. James Williams (MC Perry) 3-0 Having scored 14 out of a possible 15 in the three dual meet in which he's appeared (vs Yokota, vs EJ King, and vs Kinnick), James is a true asset to the Samurai. 2. Michiru Warren (ASIJ) 2-0 Only having two opportunities to compete so far, Michiru has made the best of it. He tech'ed both opponents 10-0. We'll probably see that score again this season. 3. Jiei Izukune (St. Mary's) 3-1 Some people take to wrestling right away, and Jiei is one of them. He's gone a combined 30-0 in his wins, with the only loss coming to Michiru (#2). 4. Isaiah Carrillo (Kubasaki) 2-1 "What's the word, humming bird? Have you heard about [Isaiah's opponents]? Did they really get pinned?" Yes, all but one. We're anxious to see how the rest of Isaiah's season will play out. 5. Carmello Holmes (Yokota) 2-1 Securing the maximum team points for the Panthers in two dual meets against Edgren and Zama, Carmello's only loss on the official records books this season is to James (#1). Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Bryce Clement (ASIJ) 5-0 Reigning Far East champ Bryce has continued to rain down points on his opponents, winning all by tech fall. The only person who's scored on him (in the process of getting tech'ed) was also a returning Far East champ. 2(t). McKay Chandler (Kubasaki) 2-0 2(t). Timon Fambro (CAJ) 2-0 2(t). William Rhyne (Yokota) 2-0 McKay, Timon, and William have started the season with as good a record as you can get, all wins coming by pins and tech falls. You've got to figure there will be some moving around weight-wise, but we need to see some competitions where these three go against each other. The sparks would fly. 5. Peter Junker (CAJ) 5-1 When you've got a record like this and are still #5, you know the weight class is stacked with talent. Peter's only loss so far this season is to Bryce (#1) for first place at the Azabu Ward tournament. Based on the publicly available results of all matches in Japan, here are the top five wrestlers in each weight class. There is always room for debate, and there may be some errors in the data, but... these are rankings are right ;-) 1. Michael Lozano (Kinnick) 5-0 After placing 3rd at the 2020 Far East, Michael has already won the Azabu Ward tournament and felled a reigning Far East champ this season. Tech, tech, pin, pin, pin - he's the guy to beat at 122. 2. Nicholaz Aguirre (Kubasaki) 5-1 The reigning Far East (2020) champion has looked fantastic this year, jumping between 122 and 129. Notwithstanding the loss to Michael (#1), Nicholaz will likely be the favorite in every match the rest of the season. 3. Charles Alvey (Edgren) 2-1 In his three matches so far, Charles has represented the Eagles well, only dropping one match to Kai (#5 at 115). Here's hoping the rest of this year sees more opportunities for this up-and-comer. 4. Leon Miller (ASIJ) 1-1 In limited action this year, Leon has been right in the thick of it both times. He won and lost decisions against good wrestlers, including his one loss to Peter (#5 at 129). 5. Jacob Morton (MC Perry) 1-2 Going against high end competition, including a loss to Michael (#1) and Kai (#5 at 115) has probably not been the most fun for Jacob, but if it works against the good ones, it'll probably work against everyone else, too. Honorable mention: Kaisei Smith (ASIJ, 1-0, former Far East #5), and Gregor Rolls (ASIJ, 1-0, 2020 Beast of the East #2) have looked great in limited opportunities. |
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