7 Minutes on the mat with Konrad Dudziak

We are proud to launch our newest feature section to The Open Mat (TOM). “7 minutes on the mat with…”

Some of your favorite wrestlers from across the country will provide us with candid answers to 7 different questions. Please enjoy the first installment with Konrad Dudziak. The 2009 Heavyweight Runner-up and Duke’s first All-American Wrestler is the first to go to the mat with TOM.

TOM: Describe your first wrestling Match.

KD: I got pinned in the first period as I did in my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th. Things clicked eventually.

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

KD: In 2005 I was wrestling a Russian in the semifinals of the U-21 European championships, which was held near my native town in Poland. This guy was good. In the first round he won by technical fall in 35 seconds, humiliating me. I adjusted and in the second round went back and forth until with one move I came out on top and held him for a pin. No one thought I would do it. I was never happier to win, and thought I accomplished something.

Because of that, I relaxed and neglected the Finals which were held that evening and lost.

Since then I’ve never let myself feel accomplished for winning a match or tournament, I’m supposed to win. I’ll never forgot that lesson.

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

KD: Jerry Rinaldi. He graduated from Cornell a few years ago. He holds the only pin against me since my first year wrestling. It happened my junior year, We were both highly ranked in New Jersey. I posted fliers around school for that match. The whole school showed up and I lost in 59 seconds. I always wanted to win that match back, but never wrestled him in college.

TOM: What brought you to Duke?

KD: Ironically, I came to Duke to quit wrestling. Goes to show how things change.

TOM: Three styles Freestyle, Folkstyle and Greco which do your prefer and why?

KD: Freestyle, There are more ways to score points. I’m also more accomplished in it. I would like to see some of it’s rules changed though.

TOM: Have you considered an MMA career after you are done competing?

KD: Depends on how much they’re willing to pay me; don’t want to hurt people without good reason.

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

KD: Just because you don’t see a way doesn’t mean there isn’t one. If you want something, no matter how much of a long shot, work for it. The greatest goals are not realistic, don’t worry about what logic says, it has no place here. Lee Kemp taught me this one.