izgeupdated
Remembering The White Lion Of Africa, Juan Espino
IMAGE SOURCE African Traditional Wrestling and its variants has over the centuries been practiced exclusively within the African continent by African fighters, predominantly found in West Africa from countries such as Niger, Benin, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina, Nigeria, Ghana. But this information is not new to some of the users on this platform who are familiar with African Traditional Wrestling. However, what is different is that, there was a time when an athlete far detached from the Dark Continent, had a foray into the African Traditional Wrestling and on top of that, dominated the sport. That person is non other than Juan Espino, a former champion of the African arena, christened the ‘White Lion’. Juan is a not only a champion in Africa but a Grappling champion of Europe and Grappling champion of the World on multiple occasions. If not for the saying ‘to each his own’, i would have said Africa is a wrong choice. It beats ones imagination that one will leave the safer forms of wrestling in Europe and America to come and engage in a dreaded and dangerous sport like African Traditional Wrestling. When heavyweights use bare knuckles and feet’s to hit and kick each other without the basic protection of mouth guards or helmets as the case may be, one will have to agree that that is a crude and dangerous sport. To cap it all, there are no insurances or proper financial agreement in the event of death or permanent and incapacitating injury to provide succor or some sort of compensatory mechanism in place. ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE WINS. The only consolation for a fighter who wishes to enter the sandy circle of the arena is the voice of his marabous, his soothsayer, charms and emulates on his arms and body, prayers points and rituals of the mystic world. The most interesting aspect of the saga was that the White Lion did patronize the Mystic world by having Spiritual guides such as Marabous and the Soothsayers. Whether he believes it or not, It will be safe to admit that he performed his mystic rituals quite well, considering that his stars continued to shine each time he locks horns with an opponent in the arena. His mystic signature style is no different from other African fighters who wear charms, emulates and the usual grey loincloths. One thing that stands out though, is the breaking of raw eggs between him and an opponent which must precede the locking of horns. The White Lion is the first European to become a professional wrestler of the African tradition. ‘laamb’ a Senegal style of wrestling that allows fighters to throw punches and kicks in other to stun opponents before the final take down was his choice. Perhaps because right from childhood, Juan had learned and experimented with different styles of wrestling such as the Kurish, Ju-jitsu, Gouren and other kinds of combat styles, he was able to quickly integrate perfectly and understood the requirements of pre-fight traditions. Since coming to Africa to grapple in the ‘laamb’ style around 2008, the White Lion has not lost one single match, not even a draw which is surprising for someone his size, stature and above all an outsider. One cannot ascribe brute strength as a means by which he was able to conquer his opponents, but the combinations of pre acquired skills and experience, together with an uncommon reserve of fearlessness before giant athletes in a strange land. TRAINING SESSION WITH COLLEAGUES IMAGE SOURCE Juan Espino, who is 38 years, has since moved on from the crude form of African Traditional Wrestling to the ‘big leagues’ of finer climes, better pays, refined styles, rules and regulations, and above all, bigger challenges. The MMA and the UFC, brutal as it is, is way better than African Traditional Wrestling. One thing is quite certain though, Africa can never be forgotten in his life and is a reference point in the making of the champion he has become today. The good thing is that he is presently making positive exploits in his area of concentration. Will the White Lion ever stage a come back to engage the younger and upcoming Black Lions of African Arena? Will his teeming Fans ever hear the roar and watch the victory champion dance of the White lion once again? Only time will tell. Thank you as usual for stopping by, sincerely @izge.
izgeupdated
Remembering The White Lion Of Africa, Juan Espino
IMAGE SOURCE African Traditional Wrestling and its variants has over the centuries been practiced exclusively within the African continent by African fighters, predominantly found in West Africa from countries such as Niger, Benin, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina, Nigeria, Ghana. But this information is not new to some of the users on this platform who are familiar with African Traditional Wrestling. However, what is different is that, there was a time when an athlete far detached from the Dark Continent, had a foray into the African Traditional Wrestling and on top of that, dominated the sport. That person is non other than Juan Espino, a former champion of the African arena, christened the ‘White Lion’. Juan is a not only a champion in Africa but a Grappling champion of Europe and Grappling champion of the World on multiple occasions. If not for the saying ‘to each his own’, i would have said Africa is a wrong choice. It beats ones imagination that one will leave the safer forms of wrestling in Europe and America to come and engage in a dreaded and dangerous sport like African Traditional Wrestling. When heavyweights use bare knuckles and feet’s to hit and kick each other without the basic protection of mouth guards or helmets as the case may be, one will have to agree that that is a crude and dangerous sport. To cap it all, there are no insurances or proper financial agreement in the event of death or permanent and incapacitating injury to provide succor or some sort of compensatory mechanism in place. ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE WINS. The only consolation for a fighter who wishes to enter the sandy circle of the arena is the voice of his marabous, his soothsayer, charms and emulates on his arms and body, prayers points and rituals of the mystic world. The most interesting aspect of the saga was that the White Lion did patronize the Mystic world by having Spiritual guides such as Marabous and the Soothsayers. Whether he believes it or not, It will be safe to admit that he performed his mystic rituals quite well, considering that his stars continued to shine each time he locks horns with an opponent in the arena. His mystic signature style is no different from other African fighters who wear charms, emulates and the usual grey loincloths. One thing that stands out though, is the breaking of raw eggs between him and an opponent which must precede the locking of horns. The White Lion is the first European to become a professional wrestler of the African tradition. ‘laamb’ a Senegal style of wrestling that allows fighters to throw punches and kicks in other to stun opponents before the final take down was his choice. Perhaps because right from childhood, Juan had learned and experimented with different styles of wrestling such as the Kurish, Ju-jitsu, Gouren and other kinds of combat styles, he was able to quickly integrate perfectly and understood the requirements of pre-fight traditions. Since coming to Africa to grapple in the ‘laamb’ style around 2008, the White Lion has not lost one single match, not even a draw which is surprising for someone his size, stature and above all an outsider. One cannot ascribe brute strength as a means by which he was able to conquer his opponents, but the combinations of pre acquired skills and experience, together with an uncommon reserve of fearlessness before giant athletes in a strange land. TRAINING SESSION WITH COLLEAGUES IMAGE SOURCE Juan Espino, who is 38 years, has since moved on from the crude form of African Traditional Wrestling to the ‘big leagues’ of finer climes, better pays, refined styles, rules and regulations, and above all, bigger challenges. The MMA and the UFC, brutal as it is, is way better than African Traditional Wrestling. One thing is quite certain though, Africa can never be forgotten in his life and is a reference point in the making of the champion he has become today. The good thing is that he is presently making positive exploits in his area of concentration. Will the White Lion ever stage a come back to engage the younger and upcoming Black Lions of African Arena? Will his teeming Fans ever hear the roar and watch the victory champion dance of the White lion once again? Only time will tell. Thank you as usual for stopping by, sincerely @izge.
izgeupdated
Remembering The White Lion Of Africa, Juan Espino
IMAGE SOURCE African Traditional Wrestling and its variants has over the centuries been practiced exclusively within the African continent by African fighters, predominantly found in West Africa from countries such as Niger, Benin, Senegal, Gambia, Burkina, Nigeria, Ghana. But this information is not new to some of the users on this platform who are familiar with African Traditional Wrestling. However, what is different is that, there was a time when an athlete far detached from the Dark Continent, had a foray into the African Traditional Wrestling and on top of that, dominated the sport. That person is non other than Juan Espino, a former champion of the African arena, christened the ‘White Lion’. Juan is a not only a champion in Africa but a Grappling champion of Europe and Grappling champion of the World on multiple occasions. If not for the saying ‘to each his own’, i would have said Africa is a wrong choice. It beats ones imagination that one will leave the safer forms of wrestling in Europe and America to come and engage in a dreaded and dangerous sport like African Traditional Wrestling. When heavyweights use bare knuckles and feet’s to hit and kick each other without the basic protection of mouth guards or helmets as the case may be, one will have to agree that that is a crude and dangerous sport. To cap it all, there are no insurances or proper financial agreement in the event of death or permanent and incapacitating injury to provide succor or some sort of compensatory mechanism in place. ONE OF HIS SIGNATURE WINS. The only consolation for a fighter who wishes to enter the sandy circle of the arena is the voice of his marabous, his soothsayer, charms and emulates on his arms and body, prayers points and rituals of the mystic world. The most interesting aspect of the saga was that the White Lion did patronize the Mystic world by having Spiritual guides such as Marabous and the Soothsayers. Whether he believes it or not, It will be safe to admit that he performed his mystic rituals quite well, considering that his stars continued to shine each time he locks horns with an opponent in the arena. His mystic signature style is no different from other African fighters who wear charms, emulates and the usual grey loincloths. One thing that stands out though, is the breaking of raw eggs between him and an opponent which must precede the locking of horns. The White Lion is the first European to become a professional wrestler of the African tradition. ‘laamb’ a Senegal style of wrestling that allows fighters to throw punches and kicks in other to stun opponents before the final take down was his choice. Perhaps because right from childhood, Juan had learned and experimented with different styles of wrestling such as the Kurish, Ju-jitsu, Gouren and other kinds of combat styles, he was able to quickly integrate perfectly and understood the requirements of pre-fight traditions. Since coming to Africa to grapple in the ‘laamb’ style around 2008, the White Lion has not lost one single match, not even a draw which is surprising for someone his size, stature and above all an outsider. One cannot ascribe brute strength as a means by which he was able to conquer his opponents, but the combinations of pre acquired skills and experience, together with an uncommon reserve of fearlessness before giant athletes in a strange land. TRAINING SESSION WITH COLLEAGUES IMAGE SOURCE Juan Espino, who is 38 years, has since moved on from the crude form of African Traditional Wrestling to the ‘big leagues’ of finer climes, better pays, refined styles, rules and regulations, and above all, bigger challenges. The MMA and the UFC, brutal as it is, is way better than African Traditional Wrestling. One thing is quite certain though, Africa can never be forgotten in his life and is a reference point in the making of the champion he has become today. The good thing is that he is presently making positive exploits in his area of concentration. Will the White Lion ever stage a come back to engage the younger and upcoming Black Lions of African Arena? Will his teeming Fans ever hear the roar and watch the victory champion dance of the White lion once again? Only time will tell. Thank you as usual for stopping by, sincerely @izge.
MCA wrestler has chance to break out
By MARC MALKOSKIE Press Enterprise Writer MOUNT CARMEL — Hidden within the star-studded, state-known wrestling powerhouse that is District 4 are a few wrestlers who are about to make some noise. Among these under-the-radar performers is Shane Weidner. After compiling a respectable record of 37-27 through his first two seasons, the Mount Carmel junior is 25-6 this year with a solid chance to claim his first district medal. Weidner, now a 182-pounder, picked up two falls in a combined 46 seconds to reach the South Sectional final last Saturday. There he dropped an 11-4 decision to state-ranked Tyler Waltman of Southern Columbia in a match that felt a lot closer than the final score. Bumping up After struggling his first few matches at 170 pounds, his weight through the first seven weeks of the season, it wasn’t until a quad-meet at Central Columbia in late January that Weidner bumped up. Weidner opened eyes at his 182 debut, going 3-0 with three falls in the quad-meet. “Shane has the talent. He’s an excellent football player,” Mount Carmel coach Steve Pisarchik said of the three-sport athlete. “Anything you ask him to do, he can do it. You just have to channel his focus on wrestling at the time. And that’s what we did. He took a couple losses early (in the season), but after that we focused and regrouped, and it’s showing.” Three-sport athlete Since making the recent weight adjustment, Weidner is 5-2 with all five wins coming by fall. Three of those falls took less than 50 seconds. “He’s the one that wanted to move to 182, and it’s working out,” Pisarchik said. “Instead of having to lose some weight, he wanted to lift and get stronger as the postseason goes on.” In addition to wrestling, Weidner runs track and is a two-way starter in football. The Tornadoes’ wide receiver/cornerback had 1,250 yards of total offense for the District 4 2A runners-up this past season. “It’s really nice running track because you’re in shape for football,” Weidner said. “During football, you’re lifting and running more, so it keeps you going all year-round.” A role model According to Pisarchik, Weidner is also a strong leader on the Red Tornadoes squad. “It’s huge,” Pisarchik said of Weidner’s leadership role. “I tell him that all the time in the (wrestling) room. ‘Listen, whatever you’re doing, they’re seeing it. If you’re screwing off, they’re going to screw off.’ It’s channeling his focus hard, we just have to do everything the right way because the younger guys see it.” Weidner credits his team’s intense practice regimen for its impressive 15-8 record in duals this season. “We run a lot at practice,” Weidner said. “We drill a lot to practice the small things, but we train a lot to be in shape and be the better guy come the third period.” ‘Working harder’ The district qualifier knows he’s well into the second half of his high school career, and he wants to make the most of it. “Coming into my final two years here, I’m trying to make the most of them,” Weidner said. “I’m putting in more work and working harder, and hoping for a better outcome than the last few years.” Weidner earned a first-round bye as the 4-seed this coming weekend, and is scheduled to face the winner of a match between Montoursville’s Gavin Livermore and Canton’s Carter Route in the quarterfinals in Williamsport Friday night. Marc Malkoskie covers sports for the Press Enterprise. He may be reached at 570-387-1234, ext. 1338, or by email at sports@pressenterprise.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mmalkoskie.
MCA wrestler has chance to break out
By MARC MALKOSKIE Press Enterprise Writer MOUNT CARMEL — Hidden within the star-studded, state-known wrestling powerhouse that is District 4 are a few wrestlers who are about to make some noise. Among these under-the-radar performers is Shane Weidner. After compiling a respectable record of 37-27 through his first two seasons, the Mount Carmel junior is 25-6 this year with a solid chance to claim his first district medal. Weidner, now a 182-pounder, picked up two falls in a combined 46 seconds to reach the South Sectional final last Saturday. There he dropped an 11-4 decision to state-ranked Tyler Waltman of Southern Columbia in a match that felt a lot closer than the final score. Bumping up After struggling his first few matches at 170 pounds, his weight through the first seven weeks of the season, it wasn’t until a quad-meet at Central Columbia in late January that Weidner bumped up. Weidner opened eyes at his 182 debut, going 3-0 with three falls in the quad-meet. “Shane has the talent. He’s an excellent football player,” Mount Carmel coach Steve Pisarchik said of the three-sport athlete. “Anything you ask him to do, he can do it. You just have to channel his focus on wrestling at the time. And that’s what we did. He took a couple losses early (in the season), but after that we focused and regrouped, and it’s showing.” Three-sport athlete Since making the recent weight adjustment, Weidner is 5-2 with all five wins coming by fall. Three of those falls took less than 50 seconds. “He’s the one that wanted to move to 182, and it’s working out,” Pisarchik said. “Instead of having to lose some weight, he wanted to lift and get stronger as the postseason goes on.” In addition to wrestling, Weidner runs track and is a two-way starter in football. The Tornadoes’ wide receiver/cornerback had 1,250 yards of total offense for the District 4 2A runners-up this past season. “It’s really nice running track because you’re in shape for football,” Weidner said. “During football, you’re lifting and running more, so it keeps you going all year-round.” A role model According to Pisarchik, Weidner is also a strong leader on the Red Tornadoes squad. “It’s huge,” Pisarchik said of Weidner’s leadership role. “I tell him that all the time in the (wrestling) room. ‘Listen, whatever you’re doing, they’re seeing it. If you’re screwing off, they’re going to screw off.’ It’s channeling his focus hard, we just have to do everything the right way because the younger guys see it.” Weidner credits his team’s intense practice regimen for its impressive 15-8 record in duals this season. “We run a lot at practice,” Weidner said. “We drill a lot to practice the small things, but we train a lot to be in shape and be the better guy come the third period.” ‘Working harder’ The district qualifier knows he’s well into the second half of his high school career, and he wants to make the most of it. “Coming into my final two years here, I’m trying to make the most of them,” Weidner said. “I’m putting in more work and working harder, and hoping for a better outcome than the last few years.” Weidner earned a first-round bye as the 4-seed this coming weekend, and is scheduled to face the winner of a match between Montoursville’s Gavin Livermore and Canton’s Carter Route in the quarterfinals in Williamsport Friday night. Marc Malkoskie covers sports for the Press Enterprise. He may be reached at 570-387-1234, ext. 1338, or by email at sports@pressenterprise.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mmalkoskie.
MCA wrestler has chance to break out
By MARC MALKOSKIE Press Enterprise Writer MOUNT CARMEL — Hidden within the star-studded, state-known wrestling powerhouse that is District 4 are a few wrestlers who are about to make some noise. Among these under-the-radar performers is Shane Weidner. After compiling a respectable record of 37-27 through his first two seasons, the Mount Carmel junior is 25-6 this year with a solid chance to claim his first district medal. Weidner, now a 182-pounder, picked up two falls in a combined 46 seconds to reach the South Sectional final last Saturday. There he dropped an 11-4 decision to state-ranked Tyler Waltman of Southern Columbia in a match that felt a lot closer than the final score. Bumping up After struggling his first few matches at 170 pounds, his weight through the first seven weeks of the season, it wasn’t until a quad-meet at Central Columbia in late January that Weidner bumped up. Weidner opened eyes at his 182 debut, going 3-0 with three falls in the quad-meet. “Shane has the talent. He’s an excellent football player,” Mount Carmel coach Steve Pisarchik said of the three-sport athlete. “Anything you ask him to do, he can do it. You just have to channel his focus on wrestling at the time. And that’s what we did. He took a couple losses early (in the season), but after that we focused and regrouped, and it’s showing.” Three-sport athlete Since making the recent weight adjustment, Weidner is 5-2 with all five wins coming by fall. Three of those falls took less than 50 seconds. “He’s the one that wanted to move to 182, and it’s working out,” Pisarchik said. “Instead of having to lose some weight, he wanted to lift and get stronger as the postseason goes on.” In addition to wrestling, Weidner runs track and is a two-way starter in football. The Tornadoes’ wide receiver/cornerback had 1,250 yards of total offense for the District 4 2A runners-up this past season. “It’s really nice running track because you’re in shape for football,” Weidner said. “During football, you’re lifting and running more, so it keeps you going all year-round.” A role model According to Pisarchik, Weidner is also a strong leader on the Red Tornadoes squad. “It’s huge,” Pisarchik said of Weidner’s leadership role. “I tell him that all the time in the (wrestling) room. ‘Listen, whatever you’re doing, they’re seeing it. If you’re screwing off, they’re going to screw off.’ It’s channeling his focus hard, we just have to do everything the right way because the younger guys see it.” Weidner credits his team’s intense practice regimen for its impressive 15-8 record in duals this season. “We run a lot at practice,” Weidner said. “We drill a lot to practice the small things, but we train a lot to be in shape and be the better guy come the third period.” ‘Working harder’ The district qualifier knows he’s well into the second half of his high school career, and he wants to make the most of it. “Coming into my final two years here, I’m trying to make the most of them,” Weidner said. “I’m putting in more work and working harder, and hoping for a better outcome than the last few years.” Weidner earned a first-round bye as the 4-seed this coming weekend, and is scheduled to face the winner of a match between Montoursville’s Gavin Livermore and Canton’s Carter Route in the quarterfinals in Williamsport Friday night. Marc Malkoskie covers sports for the Press Enterprise. He may be reached at 570-387-1234, ext. 1338, or by email at sports@pressenterprise.net. Follow him on Twitter at @mmalkoskie.