1. Dom, you recently dominated and won Gold at the Junior World Championships in Ankara, Turkey. Tell us about your expierence wrestling in Turkey. How was the overall experience in Turkey (how was the food, transportation, etc).
The experience in Turkey was awesome. I was excited to wrestle and represent for the USA. I wrestled very well I think that it was the best tournament I ever had wrestled in but many more to come. I finally understood all the ins and outs of wrestling a big international tournament. The Food in Turkey was not good to me. Every meal there was rice, some kind of chicken slop, beef slop bread, and watermelon. Well being the big guy that I am I went to McDonalds and burger king. I usually don’t eat fast food much I’m usually a pretty good eater but I had to eat something I was somewhat familiar with. I would tell people to appreciate water, good hygiene, and the laws of driving. The driving over there was crazy no rules they had stop lights and they didn’t use them which really amazed me.
2. Classes are starting up at MU. What's going to be your favorite class?
I’m really excited for school to back up. I have become such a better student that i actually like school now. I know hard to believe. I’m majoring in hotel restaurant and management. So that’s the hospitality field. I think i would like to focus more on event planning. I think that I could have future in that plan big wrestling tournaments like KCI tournament or the Winnetonka tournament or Fargo. My favorite class this semester will probably be management just learning how to manage many different things.
3. You had an excellent freestyle season placing third at the U.S. Senior World Team Trials, fourth in the U.S. Senior Nationals, and also winning the FILA Junior World Team Trials and the FILA Junior Nationals. How did this prepare you for the upcoming college season, and what are your goals for the 09-10 college season?
I wrestled at all of these tournaments to make up for the season i lost in my eyes. I went 17-3. My season ended January 31st last match was against Nebraska. Everybody else got to wrestle in the Missouri valley open or the duals and etc I didn’t. I just wanted experience against the top people to prove to everyone I’m not a back up I’m very capable of doing good things. My goals for the season are to win nationals I think that is very realistic goal. I mean me and the returning national have battles in the room that you guys can’t even imagine. I would encourage you guys to come up to our room on Saturday mornings in September and October to see Saturday matches. But i think practicing with Mark and Tyler hands down the best heavys in the country I could attain my goal. I beat many of the all Americans and national qualifiers over my long wrestling I career I counted 15 at nationals, so I think I do well.
4. What do you like to do in your "down time" (if you even have time for any free time....)
In my free time that rarely have I like to clean I’m a clean freak. I’m very organized and neat. I also like to go to the movies and get away from wrestling and school which is stressful. I also like hangin out with my teammates and friends and have a good time. Oh also like any other college student kid I always find time to play video games somehow.
5. Any advice for current high school wrestlers wanting to make the jump to college wrestling?
Any kid that wants to make the jump to college i would first wish you good luck. I think to wrestle in college you have to crazy cause of all the things you do. Your not the average college kid if wrestle you have to sacfrice so much you really do. Really hit the weight room, have a unbelieveable work ethic, wrestle freestyle and greco to get experience, be open minded you can learn from anyone and really just love wrestling. i think wrestling is the greatest sport if you treat it great it will reward you.
Thank you for the interview. Keep supporting Missouriwrestling.com it is one of favorite sites I can on at least 4 times a day. I appreciate all the support from everyone even the negative ones on the message boards. Thank you again and please support Mizzou wrestling and Missouriwrestling.com
Thanks Dom!
120 kg Freestyle: Dom Bradley (USA) dec. Bazarboy Utambetov (Uzbekistan)
The experience in Turkey was awesome. I was excited to wrestle and represent for the USA. I wrestled very well I think that it was the best tournament I ever had wrestled in but many more to come. I finally understood all the ins and outs of wrestling a big international tournament. The Food in Turkey was not good to me. Every meal there was rice, some kind of chicken slop, beef slop bread, and watermelon. Well being the big guy that I am I went to McDonalds and burger king. I usually don’t eat fast food much I’m usually a pretty good eater but I had to eat something I was somewhat familiar with. I would tell people to appreciate water, good hygiene, and the laws of driving. The driving over there was crazy no rules they had stop lights and they didn’t use them which really amazed me.
