2016 U.S. OLYMPIAN - 75 kg GR Bisek aims to turn bronze into gold
by Joe Mehling Two-time World bronze medalist Andy Bisek, and his world famous mustache, will be heading to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio after a dominant showing at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City.
Bisek automatically advanced to the best-of-three final series after placing third at the 2015 World Championships. He would only need two matches to make his presence his felt.
“The Cowboy” dismantled the 2016 U.S. Open champion Geordan Speiller, 6- 2 in the first match and 4-0 in bout two, to punch his ticket to Rio. Using his signa- ture gut wrench, Bisek put the rest of the world on notice with his victory in front of a rapturous Carver-Hawkeye crowd. “This is incredibly special,” Andy said. “This only happens every four years. In this environment and this moment any- thing can happen on any day. You see it every year here and to get it done, on this stage, is a great feeling. I didn’t get to wrestle in college since I went right into Greco. There weren’t too many big crowds. So to be here in front of these people is great. It's been a long road to get here. It's incredibly tough, but it's so rewarding. Now I want to get on top of that podium in Rio. I know I'm capable of getting there."
Bisek will look to breakthrough on the
world’s biggest stage after several years of being on the cusp of greatness. The Chaska, Minn. native has nearly done it all, winning two U.S. Opens, the 2015 Pan American Games and the 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial and more interna- tional tournaments. He has also defeated multiple former World and Olympic Champions. However, Bisek has yet to garner that
statement win on a big stage to solidify his place in Greco-Roman history. He’s not sweating the pressure. He is actually looking forward to it.
“I don’t think I am underappreciated,” Bisek said. “I have always believed that I was best in the state, best in the country and best in the world. I know I made a few mistakes but if I fix them then I will get there. I will be the best.” Bisek has been the face of the U.S. Greco-Roman program since 2014 and the four-time World Team member has raised the expectations, of not only him-
14 USA Wrestler
Andy Bisek battles with Geordan Speiller in the 75 kg finals series at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Iowa City. John Sachs photo.
self, but the entire Greco-Roman team. “I really think everyone else on the team is underappreciated,” Bisek said. “Just because they don’t have a certain accolade doesn’t mean they aren’t extremely talented. On any given day anyone can be on that podium.” Adding to this U.S. legacy, Bisek’s win at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in April main- tained Minnesota’s streak of sending a Greco-Roman wrestler to every Olympics since 1968.
“The streak is so awesome, and I’m so happy to put my name on it and be a part of it,” said Bisek, “I’ve had a great career so far. To add this on top of it is incredi- ble.”
Bisek, a husband and father of two, has moved on from Minnesota and taken residence in Colorado Springs, Colo. to train at the Olympic Training Center with
U.S. National Team coaches Matt Lindland and Momir Petkovic. Since the move, Bisek has taken his career to the next level and expects his game plan to pay off in Rio.
“I have just been trying to get different
partners and feels every day,” Bisek said. “I am trying to perfect the little things.” Determined to turn bronze into gold and put his name among the best to ever don the red, white, and blue singlet, Bisek and his mustache will be ready to roll when the arena goes dark and the spotlight is ignited in Rio.
“Being on the podium two years in a row proves that I belong on this team,” Bisek said. “This last quad, in my weight class, there are only three guys that won multiple medals and I am one of them. There is no reason I won’t be at the top in Rio.”
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