Alex Krom Goes 7 Minutes with TOM
Dec 14th, 2009 | By viratas | Category: Maryland, Open Mat Originals
The Senior ACC Champion and NCAA All-American from Maryland Alex Krom spends 7 mins with TOM. Trying to improve off his 4th place finish from last year’s national tournament he is approaching this season with the same goals in mind, a National Title.
TOM: Describe your first wrestling Match.
AK: Wow my first wrestling match was so long ago I can’t even imagine being that small anymore. I was 5 years old. I was wrestling one of my good friends in our wrestle-off to make our junior league team. He had been wrestling for 2 years already and I remember trying to be all tough about it with no fear, stomping around before the match started, I probably looked ridiculous. When it came down to it I remember taking him down and cradling him up a few times and I ended up beating him even though he was supposed to win.
TOM: To date what is your most memorable match and why?
AK: I can think of two that were very memorable, both coming from nationals last year. The first is probably my quarterfinals match to become an All-American, mainly due to the fact that I did so well and got my first All-American status. The most memorable is my first match out at national against Alex Tsirtsis from Iowa. I lost to him earlier in the year and I came into the tournament unseeded so I wanted to prove I deserved to be in the national spotlight. After I won the match I kept saying to myself ‘I am ready, I am ready.’
TOM: If you could wrestle anyone from the past who would it be and why?
AK: Funny you should ask this because I am a history major and I have always wondered what it would be like to wrestle Alexander the Great. He always boasted he was the best at every aspect of his life, using the Greek word “Arete” to describe himself, stating he was the warrior of warriors like Achilles. I would love a shot at him to see if he could go 7 minutes.
TOM: What are you most looking forward to this upcoming season?
AK: The goals never really change, they just get fine tuned so the main thing I am looking for this year is the same thing as every year – and it’s that natty championship. Watching my team grind out a successful season ending with the ultimate goal of a national championship is what drives me right now.
TOM: How have you improved from last season to this one? What helped that improvement?
AK: Bottom has always been a problem for me so I have been working on different techniques to help me get out. I don’t want to give out too many secrets but I got a few things to help for this season.
TOM: MMA good or bad for wrestling and why?
AK: I think it is great for the sport of wrestling. You see a lot of wrestlers today that are in the UFC or are training MMA. MMA highlights many aspects of wrestling that people do not see, pushing wrestling into the national spotlight. Anything to help promote wrestling is fine by me.
TOM: Have you considered a MMA career after you are done competing?
AK: Yeah, however after talking to a bunch of people and training a few times with people that are in MMA I have realized it’s not as great as it looks on TV. These guys take too much of a beating on a daily basis.
TOM: What advice would you give to an up and coming wrestler?
AK: Focus on the little things. Flashy moves are great to get some ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’ from the crowd every once in awhile but sticking with the little things and fine tuning those little things makes the difference in a match. Also, although it may be cliché, doing the right things in every aspect of your life does make a big difference out on the mat.
TOM: What person has had the biggest impact on your wrestling career and why?
AK: Personally at a young age it was my grandfather. He had Polio since his childhood and was not able to play sports like most kids did. Being his first grandchild, it was as if it was his personal mission to make me great at any sport I participated in. I felt like I had a responsibility to him as his grandson to be the legs he never could use. Wrestling was our sport and together we would train and go to every wrestling event possible. Unfortunately he passed before my 5th grade year. Ever since then I made it a point to remember what we have built together and to achieve every goal we set forth.
By TOM Staff
No flash just grit makes a great wrestler