Sentinels Wrestling Academy

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Someone named Robert Owens wrote this when he shared my post that I published this morning about 3X NCAA Champion 149 lber out of Cornell, Yianni Diakomihalis. I’ve never met Mr. Owens, but I thought this was so good that everyone should read it. Paints a pretty clear picture of the greatness Yianni has shown on and off the mat, including in rare defeat…

ROBERT OWENS: Let me tell you something about Yianni. I got to see the loss to Austin Gomez live and in person as part of the tournament Ben wrestled in. After taking a loss (his only second ever college loss) did Yianni throw his head gear Did he yell at his coach? Did he sit and pout the rest of the match? Nope.

He shook hands, went to the locker room, put his shorts and shirt back on, and came out and watched every other match rooting on his teammate's. That right there would be enough to respect him but after the dual was done, he and all the rest of the Cornell wrestlers came and set up tables and signed autographs for 2 hours. Then as the tournament was finishing up Yianni a 3x NCAA champ, and World Silver Medalist was rolling mats only stopping to snap pictures with little kids.

That's the mindset of a champion, losing hurts and I’m sure he was hurting inside but he didn't let it affect who he is as a person, and as a leader on his team and the sport.

Athletes, you should emulate Yianni's work ethic for sure, but more so emulate his attitude and his leadership in dealing with a loss, that's what truly makes him a champ.

Parents encourage that mentality and reaction from your kids, and reward it win or lose.

Coaches set that expectation from your athletes. Losing sucks but in wrestling everyone takes losses, it's how you respond that defines you.

Thanks Yianni for the best lesson Ben learned that day.