Vito Arujau vs Marcus Blaze | 2024 World Team Trials

[@CoachJosh-ki3sz]

no one is talking about how he just won gold at world juniors a week before, then he had to go through the gauntlet, just to get to Vito, amazing how well he did at such a young age

[@xzjayz7925]

Except he didn’t win gold… he took bronze. Edit: which is still impressive. But that’s probably why “no one” is talking about it. Because what you just mentioned didn’t happen…

[@jordanresultan8138]

he didn;t get gold at junior worlds, that was the year before, but yeah its crazy he went through nashon and daton with ease and no type of wear on his body

[@Solaxer]

@@xzjayz7925he got bronze? Who’d he lose to?

[@xzjayz7925]

@@Solaxer the Japanese kid. Ono.

[@chamboyette853]

It means he probably would beat Vito if he didn't have to go through such a gauntlet.

[@dirtworshiper2800]

Pleasure to watch Vito. Privilege to watch Blaze everytime. Looking forward to watching Blaze for years to come. Thanks for posting.

[@bartsimpson2159]

Always amazed how many high level wrestlers like Blaze wait till there are 40 seconds on the clock to start wrestling with urgency.

[@travisnix594]

He's 17 wrestling a world champ...

[@bradyfoster6299]

Did you ever wrestle?

[@wyattgreenhalgh9653]

He wasn’t losing until there was 40 seconds left

[@xzjayz7925]

Yes because it’s SMART to keep the score close because you have the offense to beat anyone in the last few seconds. As legit showcased through the tournament you genius.

[@bartsimpson2159]

@@bradyfoster6299 yes

[@scottburgess696]

Pretty impressive for a 17yr old to be at such a high level of wrestling, congrats to both wrestlers!

[@TheZiggle]

Sometimes I wish the shot clock wasn’t a thing. It’s so annoying when both wrestlers are actually working for positioning and a takedown and the ref has to pause the match to tell the wrestler to attack. It seems somewhat arbitrary at times, and just slows it down. Just let them wrestle.

[@ghostrunner2138]

couldn't agree more. It wants to encourage aggression but it just ends up breaking up the action to put a seemingly random dude on the clock

[@kc696969]

I see both sides. It is a spectator sport and folks want to see action,

[@TheZiggle]

@@kc696969 yeah and the ref literally stops the action to tell them to be more active.

[@donishcushing8223]

It should be about who controls the center. Just give a point to whoever controls the center position more throughout the match, and bam you have a natural consistent incentive to fight for positon if you're not outright scoring.

[@wo1975]

Vito fan, but Blaze is solid and has a bright future. Bronze at the Olympic trials for Blaze is impressive 👍

[@jasonkennedy-o5c]

everybody forfeited olympics trials after losing but still an impressive feat

[@ferby135]

Blaze is gonna be unstoppable in 5 years!

[@roofy3075]

Vito going on the clock was horse shit... He was the one attacking.

[@jasonkennedy-o5c]

freestyle rules are weird.. action isn’t always the reason for shot clock tho

[@andrewb7869]

Freestyle.. Territory counts too. In folk you are 110% right.

[@kc696969]

Remember, refs are human and may be affected by multiple influences. Personally, I would want to be objective, but when I see a teen going against a gown man, I tend to credit the younger. Just buy bias.

[@sandymilne224]

Best matches I’ve seen on KZbin! Blaze has a couple of leg chances and couldn’t ’convert’ them. Both exceptional wrestlers

[@SHIFTKICK]

go Vito!! but damn, both wrestlers look GOOD. that was a battle

[@justsaynrush9689]

All the respect in the world for Vito, But Marcus is a kid, undersized for Vito and very young. A year from now I feel for those who would have to face him.

[@Effervescence421]

Only issue is I'm worried he's overdeveloped for his age and he's not gonna improve technically from here on out. He'll still get bigger and stronger but who's gonna push him to keep growing from the technical side? Time will tell though I might be dead wrong

[@bobross7473]

They’re the same size though. And plus, Marcus was the one who wanted to act like a big man so now he’s getting treated like one. He can’t fall back on the excuse of being a kid.

[@kc696969]

@@Effervescence421 Hard to tell of course, but there are lots of great wrestlers out there. Each has a style, technique or attitude that will sharpen Blaze's skills.

[@Effervescence421]

@kc696969 idk too much of who blaze has trained with so you might be right, as long as he's not already training with all those people lol. Saw a similar situation with Aaron pico but blaze might be a different story

[@Darsquarius]

​@bobross7473 You sound dumb. Nobody's using it as an excuse and they're not the same size.

[@WaltDowns]

Marcus Blaze is really interesting to watch. His fundamentals are like a rock. Everyone talks about his head and hands defense as superior, and Marcus has even taught classes on this. But wrestlers are not dumb. What isn't Marcus telling us? It is his footwork that gives him the edge. Notice that Marcus never ever takes a full step (where the heel of one foot is ahead of the toes of the other foot). Technically, Marcus's feet are never separated until he makes his move or countermove. So, when Marcus' feet are like that, and his opponent clearly has one or the other foot ahead of the other (meaning their feet are separated) who is stronger in the position? Marcus is. It is a matter of physics. His *potential* for *movement* is *greater* and that is all. I loved watching Marcus wrestle in the trials and at the World's. He shuffles up on guys like a lazy grizzly bear. No wonder his opponents feel like they are being stalked even though Marcus does not seem to be doing anything intimidating. His opponents generally do not figure him out until after the fact. 😄😄😄

[@paulmacdonald1349]

The footwork....yes!

[@yerboiethan]

do you mind elaborating on what you by Marcus never taking a full step (where the heel of one foot is ahead of the toes of the other foot)? Do you mean that he always has a square stance rather than a staggered stance?

[@WaltDowns]

​@@yerboiethan The easiest way to experience the difference is by example. Consider one wrestler in a square stance with their feet exactly shoulder width apart and basically underneath both their shoulders and hips. Now compare that to a staggered stance with one foot forward, feet wider than shoulder width apart and underneath neither their shoulders nor hips. Take the first stance (similar to Marcus). Now as quickly as you can - leap as far as you can in any direction. Try that jumping with both feet and jumping in a direction by pushing off of one foot or the other. Measure the distance you were able to jump. Now - repeat this experiment for the usual staggered stance and measure the distance of how far you can jump. In a staggered stance if you could jump 2 feet, then in Marcus' stance you can jump 3 to 3 1/2 feet and that is the difference. As far as half steps ... If you take a full step forward with your right foot, how far can you move your right foot after that? If you take a half step forward with your right foot how far can you move your right foot after that? That is the difference. That works for the left foot too (wrestling humor).

[@neorandy]

I watched some very good matches when I lived in the Columbus Ohio area in the 90’s. There are some really good programs in Ohio!

[@dpc0809]

Blaze, along with Lilledahl, Forest, & Bassett make up a great four horseman of young US wrestlers competing with the best.

[@jakekern6756]

For 17, that kid has a future. Great takedown defense.

[@obsserver6435]

Wow. Blaze looks like a multiple time NCAA championship is in his future 😮

[@frankiecal3186]

Crazy that vito missed the shit show that was the 2024 Olympics. Hope he gets to make the Olympics in 2028 in LA that will be magical.

[@LakeNonaFan]

at 65 kg

[@steinervision7643]

We used to call what Blaze was doing on his feet “stalling”. Vito was a bit stale.

[@jasonkennedy-o5c]

defensive wrestling

[@bobross7473]

I’m not an expert but both seemed to be pretty aggressive rather than passive. They’re both extremely technical so hats off to them.

[@MrLoserpatrol]

Blaze using survival skills more like it

[@tanako98]

Hold up a high schooler is on par with NCAA runner ups and NCAA champions!! Wow.

[@GosalFam]

AND Vito is the returning world champion! Blaze is going to be so fun to watch in college

[@adambernon6930]

Crazy they’re the same weight class

[@dailytheology1689]

Blaze is 17.... gave him all he could handle.... imagine him in 2 years....

[@fredbouwman7218]

Blaze is the King of stalling.

[@Thebluesky0311]

Has Marcus Blaze committed anywhere yet??

[@theamazing10yearold65]

Does blaze still wrestle his HS duals, tournaments, state championships, regionals etc?

[@ミロン-d8i]

8:49 15:02 17:41

[@davidhurrelbrink6754]

Match 2 round 1 how did Vito get a passivity warning when he was attacking more than Marcus?

[@WrestleKZ]

Blaze is a cool boy

[@Vincentovich89]

🔥

[@excsour3441]

Legit was wondering where this vid was last night

[@advancedchiropractic667]

How in the world did freestyle get to be the style of the world? Folkstyle wrestling is so superior.

[@RichardOwen-p3h]

no doubt.

[@wo1975]

@@advancedchiropractic667 Folkstyle is too boring. If you have a dominant rider like Spencer Lee, just ride him out and tilt him to get backpoints. Compared to freestyle where there's countless ways to score

[@MrPaulyperk]

I agree. Folkstyle is the best. Just look at all the wrestlers that wrestle freestyle during their years in college. There is probably a statistic on that comparison.

[@papaal7014]

Ever have pins.?

[@lucifersam2209]

Vito!

[@barreldking7138]

I know about Vito but how the heck can Blaze be right there already? Seems like a sure pick for NCAA finalist in a year or two

[@jacobtorres2467]

Wouldn’t be a Arujau match without 5 minutes of blood time

[@trynalearn]

Crazy Vito is 8 years older than Marcus.

[@ogot344]

Blaze looked considerably smaller bet he could still go 57kg if needed

[@bobross7473]

They’re the same size, quit making excuses! Act like a grown man get treated like one.

[@davionwilson5546]

@@bobross7473what’s your problem stoping coping

[@bobross7473]

@@davionwilson5546 he’s the one coping by making excuses about size lmao

[@morganstepp]

blaze is so impressive an ncaa and senior world champ did not score 1 takedown in two matches against a high school wrestler

[@MrLoserpatrol]

But he still lost. That tells me he had no offense in those matches. Wreslting with only luck on your side will not win many matches at this level.

[@daveadams8005]

Glad I never have to see this again…

[@romleyhardy5691]

Aggression… Bueller Bueller Bueller?

[@batsukhbayarsaikhan276]

Blade had been defending for 2 rounds 12minutes he couldn’t do any tricks. It is same like to take straight lose

[@RandyLex-wu6jy]

The Shultz brothers heavy hips not cat and mouse

[@GaryJackson7Moore-k5q]

Perez Elizabeth Hernandez William Hernandez Melissa

[@NickyQ]

Planet Earth: Young lion vs Old Lion

[@blessedboxer3449]

Unlike Ho Bassett, this kid is the proper age and what do you know, he’s way better too

[@LakeNonaFan]

Bassett is a 17 year old junior

[@blessedboxer3449]

@@LakeNonaFan wrong

[@Solaxer]

We’re all amazed at Marcus’s skill but really it’s a demonstration of how far we are behind Japan. Japan beat the shit out of every wrestler we sent to the Olympics this year. And while Marcus is dominating at these trials, he just lost to Japan 7-2 2 weeks ago. We got work to do.

[@bobross7473]

You’re delusional. America has won far more Olympic medals than any other country.

[@Solaxer]

@@bobross7473 Not this year. Not in wrestling. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@coleperry4735]

13:03 hawk tuah

[@RonSmith-u1e]

In 1975 I wrestled in both double A and triple AAA STATE championships in one of my matches I pinned my opponet 3 seconds in the first round. Not impressed with these matches of just running the clockout . This was uninspiring to watch .

[@Guywithcrazyideas]

Marcus peed himself at the very end.

[@MrLoserpatrol]

Blaze was really never a threat. Defensive wrestling makes you look closer to your competition than you really are. Just trying to stay in a match to give yourself a chance at a last second win is fool hardy at this level. It's tuff to wrestle a match knowing any mistake can to take you out, but you have to be offensive. You have to score to win.

[@Lorre4]

vito just came off neck injury wasn't even in form yet

[@DarrellWiley-q1c]

Miller Mary Harris Matthew Williams David

[@douglastovey2685]

Blaze scored no points. Tough to win if you don’t score more than the other guy.

[@aaronalldredge2260]

VITO!

[@ZollMisc-c1w]

Moore Daniel Brown Michael Martin Dorothy

[@loganlee7387]

Vito is a dog... but man Blaze's future is bright!

[@stevenbeer2350]

Blaze bad mofo for sure.

[@UnaOnDaGame]

that was extremely boring, are all pro matches like this? I get that they're going for little amounts of points just to win but damn

[@i_dont_hug_koalas]

The skills are comparable but Vito is more of a man atp 😂 he just had more strength

[@MrLoserpatrol]

If Blaze would have even attempted any effort to score in those matches, he would have been scored on pretty much at will. Don't confuse defensive wrestling with winning wrestling.

[@RandyLex-wu6jy]

These older wrestler did not use there muscle advantage just wear the kid down he is not as strong as they are but the lost because they play the cat and mouse game which the does not help a stronger wrestler

[@MrLoserpatrol]

You can't judge a wrestler's strength by all way they are built. Take a look at some of John Smith's matches. John didn't have the success he had by wrestling at the level he did because he looked the part.

[@charlesdelrio8402]

🦾🫡

[@learning.isnt.linear]

Hit in the back of the head is bad. Think about boxing.

[@philipj.sherman2987]

4:05 Wrestle through. Always wrestle through. Blaze would have had at least 2!

[@72wisdom]

Freestyle is dumb. You literally get hit for passivity when you’re taking shots.

[@SuperSooner01]

vito stalls to much

[@jethronel3541]

Vito is. Embarrassing

[@guycolerick7958]

About the most boring thing I've ever watched.

[@ZZ430T56]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[@jefferyschirm4103]

Sorry, as a new viewer , it’s way too boring ,need boxing , mma , ufc ect ect !!

[@hellotcautiver]

🤦‍♀️

[@loganperry5167]

Please keep watching,it gets under your skin after a while*. *results may vary

[@JayNye1]

Boring as F.

[@City0017]

Boring

[@kc696969]

Grown man against a kid.

[@tylernicholson1155]

This is for *senior* nationals so yeah

[@bobross7473]

Marcus chose to do this, no one forced him to. Your argument is like a minor assaulting an elderly person and getting charged as an adult and saying he’s just a kid as an excuse. Like, no, you chose to do a grown up thing, now you will get judged as a grown up.

[@kc696969]

@@bobross7473 You missed the blindingly obvious point. This young man, teen, beat 4 other gown men to get to the finals, and, showed great skill and tenacity. I have been following Marcus for a couple of years, and I am proud of him. He has represented our country very well.

[@bobross7473]

@@kc696969 yes, he’s good, but him being a kid is not an excuse for him losing matches

[@MDMOTP]

Blaze needs to grow up. He dd not shake Vitos hand when Vito extended it after the match. That is very Telling of him, Sadly!

[@kc696969]

No takedowns by either. Good match, a little boring.

[@todd1388]

Freestyle sucks so much to watch.