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RIO DE JANERIO -- It was the sort of victory that resonates for years, the sight of a colossus in a sport suddenly going down, with all the attendant shock and amazement that comes with that. But even so, it wasnt the Miracle on the Mat it might seem.American freestyle wrestler Helen Maroulis was only 18 when she was pinned by legendary Japanese wrestler Saori Yoshida in 69 seconds the first time they met. She tore a ligament in her elbow too. Just two years ago, Maroulis was among three Americans chosen to train with Yoshida and some of her Olympic countrywomen at a conference in Japan, which dominates womens freestyle wrestling the way the U.S. owns basketball, and Maroulis says, I didnt get a single takedown of them the whole time I was there.But Maroulis learned from it. She pushed herself even more after that. She got a new head coach, won the 2015 world title at a higher weight of 55kg, and by the time she and Yoshida walked out Thursday for their 53kg gold-medal match, all those years of chasing Yoshida and studying Yoshida on tape, all the real and imagined hours of wrestling against the great Yoshida and watching her from afar, knowing Yoshida was the woman to beat here in Rio even at the age 33, paid off. Because Maroulis had landed on something she was committed to trying now. And the fascinating thing is, it wasnt a throw or a move.It was a thought: What is it that separated Yoshida from everyone else? And if you could unlock that, wouldnt you have a better chance of being able to beat her?As Maroulis explained it Friday, Im not a great video scouter from a wrestling technician point of view. But I studied her for years and years ... And I just tried to get into her head, tried to get to see what she was thinking. From what I saw, shes just better at being patient [during a match].Then I was like, When youre used to being patient, knowing someone panics, what happens when youre patient and someone matches you in that? Then youll be the one to panic.Thats the thought I went into the match with.And?It happened, Maroulis said Friday with a grin.The insight was a stroke of genius. No one else seemed to have the brains to figure it out and the talent to make it work. It was also a bit of a risk.Freestyle wrestling matches last only six minutes. Thats it. But Maroulis had trained for this moment against Yoshida with patience in mind, and she says shed wrestled that way in previous matches, always thinking about this potential match.Though the weight of knowing Yoshida hadnt given a point to anyone in these Olympics couldve hit Maroulis again once the match began, running like a freight train through her mind when the referee decided she wasnt being aggressive enough and put her on the shot clock -- meaning she had 30 seconds to try to score or Yoshida would be awarded a point -- Maroulis had a decision to make.And still she told herself, Do nothing. Be patient.I was just thinking Im not going to take a shot -- I can be down 1-0 and thats OK, Im going to show her even being down 1-0, Im still not going to get out of my game plan, Im not going to get out of my stance, Im not going to react to her movement. Im going to set the pace. Starting the second period, I think she knew that she might get put on the shot clock, and thats when she started opening up, and thats when I capitalized on that with my takedown.It was daring. It was smart. It happened exactly as Maroulis hoped it could. She was ahead 2-1 now, and then she added two more points near the end of the match, pushing her lead over Yoshida to 4-1. Bedlam broke out when it was over and everyone realized what she had done. Maroulis was romping around the mat with an American flag flying behind her. Yoshidas legendary run was over. Perhaps a new one had begun?By Friday, Maroulis happily admitted she hasnt slept for three days. And patience was still the word. Laughing now, she added had no idea when she might get some rest. . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness. . -- Catcher Brett Hayes has agreed to a $630,000, one-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, avoiding salary arbitration. . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St.With Zlatan Ibrahimovic close to joining Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, we look at what the pair have said about each other over the years. Sky Sports News HQ understands Uniteds executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovics representatives are finalising terms on a one-year contract, with Mourinho determined to make the Sweden international his first marquee signing at Old Trafford.It would represent a blockbuster reunion for Mourinho and Ibrahimovic, who spent the 2008/09 season together at Inter Milan before the Swede moved to Pep Guardiolas Barcelona. What would Ibra bring? Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a huge star, but what would he add on the pitch? We take a in-depth look… The two personalities clashed at times but Ibrahimovic fired 25 goals as Mourinho steered Inter to the Serie A title, and they formed a strong bond during their time together. With a reunion on the cards, we look at what they have said about each other over the years…MOURINHO ON IBRAHIMOVICIn April 2014, Mourinho recalled an episode at Inter Milan when he refused to substitute an angry Ibrahimovic, who felt his team-mates werent helping him to score the goals he needed to win the Serie A Golden Boot. Ibrahimovic and Mourinho worked together at Inter Milan He was very angry and upset as he came at me. He was shouting, We are champions, I helped a lot to make you champions, now nobodys helping me. I want to [come off] now.But I pretended not to understand him. I said, What? What? Do you want a drink, do you want some water? and I threw him a bottle. I told him, Here, take a drink and go. A few minutes later he scored a beautiful goal.In the same interview, Mourinho admitted he had a special relationship with Ibrahimovic, whose dedication was as valuable as his quality at Inter.A player who gave me as much as Ibra will always be in my heart. He did a lot for Inter and Inter did a lot for him. I like seeing Ibra. I greet him whenever I get the chance to and I wish him all the best - except when he plays against me. He is very special, he is one of the best strikers in the world. Sky Sports News HQs Andy Burton explains the potential deal that would bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United It was not the first time Mourinho had sung Ibrahimovics praises. In the middle of the 2008/09 season, he described the Swede as a bigger talent than Cristiano Ronaldo.Ronaldo is a good player but he is certainly not the best. He deserved the Golden Ball award because his team won the Champions League and the Premier League. But, for me, Ibrahimovic is the best.Mourinho was less complimentary when explaining the decision to allow Ibrahimovic to join Barcelona a few months later.Inter had two possibilities, tell Ibrahimovic, Were not selling you, or take Etoo, plus Hleb on loan for a year for free, plus 50m euros. To me that seems like an incredible deal, a deal worth 100m euros, the deal of the summer. Kaka 70, Cristiano Ronaldo 96. For me this is worth 100m because Etoo is worth not even one euro less tthan Ibra.dddddddddddd I think its a pity for him when he finishes his career and he played in the most important countries in the world of football, and won the most important championships in the world of football, but he didnt play in the best league in the world. Jose Mourinho on Zlatan Ibrahimovic Ahead of Chelseas Champions League quarter-final with PSG in April 2014, Mourinho said it would be a shame if Ibrahimovic did not get the chance to play in the Premier League.I think he has to be where he is happy, and if hes happy in Paris then he has to stay. But at the same time I think its a pity for him when he finishes his career and he played in the most important countries in the world of football, and won the most important championships in the world of football, but he didnt play in the best league in the world and never won the best league in the world. Thats a pity.IBRAHIMOVIC ON MOURINHOIn an interview with French outlet Telefoot in March 2015, Ibrahimovic hinted that he would like to work with Mourinho again. We worked together for one year at Inter. The feeling was great between us and my only regret is that we were together for only one year.Ibrahimovic devoted plenty of his autobiography, I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to discussing his former coach. Jose Mourinho is a big star. The first time he met my partner Helena, he whispered to her, Helena, you have only one mission: feed Zlatan, let him sleep, keep him happy. The feeling was great between us and my only regret is that we were together for only one year. Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Jose Mourinho The Swede also used his autobiography to compare Mourinho to Guardiola, who he didnt see eye to eye with at Barcelona.That guy says whatever he wants. I like him. Hes the leader of his army. But he cares, too. He would text me all the time at Inter, wondering how I was doing. Hes the exact opposite of Pep Guardiola. If Mourinho lights up a room, Guardiola draws the curtains. Mourinho would become a guy I was basically willing to die for.On leaving Inter Milan to join Barcelona in 2009, Ibrahimovic said: No matter how happy I was going to Barca, it was sad to leave Mourinho. That guy is special.Ibrahimovic offered further insight into Mourinhos managerial techniques in Carlo Ancelottis recently published autobiography Quiet Leadership. Zlatan Ibrahimovic left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season Mourinho is the disciplinarian. Everything with him is a mind game - he likes to manipulate. Such tricks were new for me - all the time doing one thing to get another thing, all the time triggering me. I like these games and it worked for me; I became top scorer under him and we won the league. The striker revealed how Mourinhos motivational techniques get the blood pumping before Inters games.The way Mourinho prepared for games was also new to me. I would get pumped up, believing the story he would feed us. I went through a lot of adrenaline when I played for him. It was like nothing was ever good enough. He gave and he took. Jose Mourinho knows how to treat a footballer, but Carlo knows how to treat a person.Ibrahimovic showed more admiration for Mourinho ahead of last seasons Champions League meeting with Chelsea - two months after his former managers sacking.I think everybody will miss Mourinho in the game. But I believe he will be back soon in football and if you are a little patient you will soon see him managing another club.Ibrahimovic was right about that - and it looks as though the Swede could soon join him at Old Trafford… Also See: United will sign Ibrahimovic What will Ibra bring? Transfer Centre Paper Talk ' ' '
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