7 Minutes with Max Askren

Missouri’s Max Askren has moved down a weight and so far it has been a success. Coming off a 5th Place finish at last years NCAA Tournament and his second straight All-American honor, Askren looks to reach the top of the podium this spring. Max took the time to contribute to TOM’s on going 7-minutes feature.

TOM: To date what is your most memorable match and why?

MA: I would have to say that the most memorable match for me was with Kurt Backes my freshman season. It most definitely had the most impact upon who I am today and has allowed me to better understand what I value and why.

TOM: What person has had the biggest impact on your wrestling career and why?

MA: It is had to name one person. I have been so fortunate to have many people of which possess great qualities and I have selected ones that seemed to fit myself philosophically. I would have to say inadvertently my father for a lot of different ideas I believe he passed on to my brother and I. But the most important would have been that not only was he supportive, he stepped out of the way and let others do their job in coaching us and then when we practiced in the house he let us be and I believe it allowed Ben and I to express ourselves creatively through innovation and develop self motivation.

TOM: What advice would you give to an up and coming wrestler?

MA: Leave yourself open to possibilities of technique and philosophy, be persistent and discipline in your pursuit of excellence, make mistakes, and learn to think for yourself because in the end you are the one who knows yourself the best. Be Gracious

TOM: Describe your first wrestling Match.

MA: I don’t remember my first wrestling match… I’m told one of my first couple of matches or tournaments I had been really into the 3 ninjas movie. I guess I started doing ninja rolls and such around the mat while my pops was trying to coach me. I’m sure that had to make for great entertainment.

TOM: If you could wrestle someone from the past who would it be and why?

MA: I would definitely have to say I would wrestle Dan Hodge. First off because he was one of the greats of his time and was a great wrestler, even though it was a different type of wrestling. Secondly, I’ve always liked watching him crush the apple… and have heard stories of when he was younger and would go into hardware stores and bend the handles of pliers. Lastly, I guess just because he really seems like a good guy. I would enjoy the opportunity to compete against him.

TOM: Three styles, Folkstyle, Freestyle and Greco-Roman, which do you prefer and why?

MA: I would have to say without a doubt that Freestyle is my preferred wrestling style and the style that makes the most sense to me. I believe it to be wrestling in the purest form. Well, Freestyle or Greco, but I like to think that Freestyle is more complete because you can use your whole body. But the level of technique, focus and athletic ability needed to win is much more. In Folkstyle, one can make many mistakes… In Freestyle if you make a mistake that will probably cost you the match.

TOM: MMA, Good or Bad for Wrestling?

MA: MMA can be used as a way to bring people into contact with our sport, not only when talking in terms of people who want to learn about in MMA, but then also because they can introduce their kids to the sport. Basically it will provide a higher percentage of the population to experience our great sport. How could this ever be a bad thing? Also, I know that people say all the good wrestlers will quit wrestling and go to MMA. Maybe, but they did before, now you just see them on a different platform rather than just getting a job. The thing that’s great about that is they garner publicity for our sport while they are competing in MMA and to keep people wrestling now at the elite level the top organizations have to innovate and find ways to provide a living for our training athletes.

By The Open Mat Staff

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