Thompson getting better with age

RPW Staff Writer

Wrestling is undoubtedly one of the most physical sports there is. In recent years, a lot of the top wrestlers in America have stepped off the mats due to the toll that this sport takes on their bodies. The shelf life of a male American wrestler? Usually somewhere around 28 or 29 years old, and that is if they are at the top of the ladder.

But heavyweight Tolly Thompson has aged like a fine wine. Turning 33 years old in June, Thompson is the senior U.S. Freestyle World Team member. He also may be the oldest returning wrestler when Season 2 of Real Pro Wrestling gets underway later this year.

“I don’t really think about my age, “Thompson said while taking a break between a workout and looking after some of the rental properties he owns in Iowa. “I still feel like I’m 23 when I step onto the mat, not 33. I’ve had some bad breaks health-wise in my career, but in the last year or so, things have really been coming together for me.”

That includes Thompson’s bronze medal in the 2005 World Championships, his first World Championships competition. Thompson also recently captured a bronze medal at the Yasar Dogu International in Turkey and a gold at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs.

However, Thompson was not expecting to wait this long to get his first chance at a World medal. In 1998, he was on track to become the next great U.S. heavyweight, following in the footsteps of Bruce Baumgartner and Real Pro Wrestling commentator Tom Erikson. After winning the U.S. Freestyle National Championships, Thompson tore his knee apart. He could not compete in U.S. World Team Trials.

Kerry McCoy, a coach for the Pennsylvania Hammer, took over the spot in 1998, and ended up competing through the 2004 Olympic Games. Along the way, McCoy won a silver medal at the 2002 World Championships. Overall, he gathered five World and Olympic finishes in the top seven at heavyweight.

Some would say that Thompson only flourished after McCoy stopped competing. Some does not include Thompson.

“Kerry is a great competitor. He worked hard for everything he won. But so have I, “Thompson said emphatically. “Over the last year and a half, I have been wrestling with as much confidence as I have at any other point in my career. I feel I am capable of winning any match, including if Kerry were to come back and compete.”

But so far, McCoy has not come back to compete. And Thompson has not only produced glaring results in international competitions, he has dominated his U.S. opponents.

College star Steve Mocco, who has had the eyes of the wrestling world on him since he was in the eighth grade, was pinned by Thompson at the U.S. Nationals and defeated twice more by him at the U.S. World Team Trials. Cole Konrad, another up-and-coming college star, has yet to defeat Mocco in freestyle, though he has downed him three times during this collegiate season.

With so much focus on the wrestlers who have come before him and those whom may someday take over his spot, it would be understandable for Thompson to become frustrated. Because of his age, many wrestling critics continue to doubt him, and look for one of the younger wrestlers to step to the top of the ladder.

“I’m not going to take anything away from the younger guys. Steve and Cole have worked hard, and they are going to have their chance to shine someday. But I’m not ready to give this spot up yet, and they’re going to have to earn it, “Thompson said.

Earning it is what it took Thompson nearly 33 years to do. Now, even with a World medal around his neck, he is being labeled as too old by some within the wrestling community.

With Mocco completing his senior season, he may get a chance to earn it during Real Pro Wrestling’s Season 2. For Konrad, he will have to wish for a chance at the U.S. Nationals or the U.S. World Team Trials.

But until that time comes, Thompson will keep his corkscrew where it belongs — in his wine cellar.