Deitchler gets ready to make weight and pull it, too

The 18-year-old is focused on using his youthful energy to outwork his older, more experienced foes.

By RACHEL BLOUNT, Star Tribune

Last update: August 11, 2008 - 11:40 PM

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GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLING ANOKA'S DEITCHLER BEGINS OLYMPIC QUEST

Jake Deitchler's weight class begins competition at 8:30 tonight (Twin Cities time)

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BEIJING - Jake Deitchler spent Monday going through one of wrestling's trickiest rituals: making weight. The 18-year-old from Anoka will compete in the Olympic Greco-Roman tournament Wednesday, and he had to do a little careful trimming to get to the required 145.5 pounds.

Other than that, it's all systems go for the young star of the U.S. Greco-Roman team. His parents, Jason and Racheal Deitchler, arrived in Beijing on Sunday night, and personal coaches Brandon Paulson and Dan Chandler were trying to secure credentials to be matside for Deitchler's big day.

The 145.5-pound class begins competition at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Beijing time -- 8:30 p.m. today in Minnesota -- and ends with the gold and bronze medal matches about eight hours later.

Deitchler is no stranger to Beijing. He competed here in 2007 as a member of the U.S. junior world championship team. He was knocked out early in that tournament and hopes for a better outcome at his first Olympic Games.

"I just have to use the same approach I had before the trials,'' said Deitchler, who scored a stunning upset over Greco star Harry Lester on his way to winning his weight class at the U.S. Olympic trials. "I need to wrestle hard and outwork my opponents. My confidence is really high after winning the trials.''

Deitchler has been able to live the Olympic life since the team arrived more than a week ago. He marched in the Opening Ceremony, wearing preppy Ralph Lauren duds, and has lived in the athletes' village.

Jason Deitchler saw his son Monday at Beijing Normal University, the training base for several U.S. teams. "He's having a great time,'' Deitchler said. "He loves the Olympics. Now we're getting to the tough time with making weight, but he's ready.''

The 145.5-pound class is led by Farid Mansurov of Azerbaijan, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and 2007 world champion. Other favorites include Nikolay Gergov of Bulgaria, the 2005 world champ, and France's Steeve Guenot, the silver medalist at the 2007 worlds.

Chandler said Deitchler could surprise with his style. He is a very active wrestler who can wear out an older opponent and has the skills and strength to score.

"It's an extremely tough weight class,'' Chandler said. "He has to keep doing what he does: getting his opponents tired, scoring on top and getting reversals on bottom. We've watched tapes [of other wrestlers], and no one is in the shape he's in. His youth, flexibility and attitude are all going to help him.''

The Olympic wrestling tournament began today at 9:30 a.m. Beijing time -- 8:30 p.m. Monday night -- with competition in the lightest Greco-Roman weights. Ali Bernard of New Ulm will wrestle in the women's 158.5-pound class on Sunday.

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