Lose to a cold move? Ye Chen merely smiled, his expression revealing nothing. His current explosive power, refined through extensive training over a significant period, was already formidable. Speed comes with power, after all. The burst of speed he exhibited moments ago was so astonishing that even a master wrestler would have difficulty countering it. The first time he was yanked down by the handle had taken him by surprise, but later on, Jack was unable to counter Ye Chen's subsequent maneuver. It's hard to classify this as just a cold move, isn't it?
To be candid, Jack's refusal to admit defeat can be understood. It must be difficult for him to accept losing in his area of expertise, especially in front of everyone. As they returned to the mat, it was clear that Jack had sobered up considerably, his demeanor transformed into something much more serious. While he earlier expressed that he found the loss to be a "cold move," his current expression revealed that he grasped the situation more deeply.
As the two tangled once more, Jack swiftly grabbed the back of Ye Chen's neck with his right hand, skillfully using his left hand to grip tightly as well. Ye Chen promptly mirrored the action, seizing the opponent's neck with his left hand. In wrestling, positioning is paramount; those who secure a favorable position have a significant advantage—provided their levels are comparable.
The two wrestled back and forth, their arms entangled as they struggled for dominance. This phase demanded an immense amount of physical energy, as they continually applied pressure against one another, each push and pull taking its toll. Equally important was maintaining absolute focus; any miscalculations or lapses in concentration could easily lead to defeat.
Then, amidst the intense struggle, both competitors exploded simultaneously. At that instant, as Ye Chen's center of gravity dropped, he supported himself with his right hand to steady himself. His left hand escaped Jacob's grip as Jack aimed to control his head and press forward. Yet, Ye Chen swiftly changed tactics; he used his left hand to reclaim control of the neck while stabilizing himself, thwarting Jack's next move.
The excitement of this transformation captivated the onlookers, their clapping echoing around the gymnasium. While the actions appeared simple, the rapidity with which they altered their tactics left the other students in the wrestling department in stunned amazement. They had wrestled with Jack before, who was renowned within the school; in pure free wrestling competitions, only a handful could potentially defeat him, with the remainder scarcely posing a challenge. Therefore, the outcome of this match was hardly surprising. However, the two who usually challenged him were absent on this day.
Suddenly, within the wrestling stage, Ye Chen unleashed his strength, causing Jack to tumble downwards. The move Ye Chen executed was remarkably similar to Jack's earlier attempt; the distinction lay in Ye Chen omitting the preliminary position. The hand resting on Jack's neck swiftly transitioned from the right side, snapping up to hook under Jack's chin. Meanwhile, his right arm slipped behind Jack's back, inadvertently threading beneath the opponent's armpit, and quickly secured a firm grip.
At this point, Ye Chen's chest pressed firmly against Jack's head, forcing Jack to relinquish his hold on Ye Chen's neck. Instead, in a desperate bid, Jack utilized his hands to brace against the ground to stave off a complete topple. In response, Ye Chen retreating slightly, used his weight and strength to attempt to drag Jack downward. Reacting quickly, Jack opted to abandon any resistance, falling backward onto the soft mat.
The immense force sent Ye Chen forward, jostling the grip he had on Jack's neck but providing him an opportunity to maintain balance. In a flash, Jack maneuvered underneath Ye Chen's support hand, seizing an advantageous armpit position while simultaneously gripping Ye Chen's right arm. Ye Chen felt the competitive pressure mount; Jack had effectively immobilized one of his arms, tightening his grip in the inner circle, enhancing his likelihood of victory.
Determined not to be outdone, Ye Chen decided to leverage the strength of his legs. He propelled himself upward, repositioning one arm on the ground while rolling over onto Jack's back. Jack's reflexes responded instantaneously; without missing a beat, he twisted his body to free himself. If he didn't, the encounter would end unfavorably for him. In a single, fluid motion, he turned around and securely laced his arms around Ye Chen's legs.
By this point, Ye Chen had just landed onto the cushion and instantly recognized that Jack had completed his pivot. The speed with which both of them maneuvered was extraordinary. In a determination-fueled twist, Ye Chen changed direction once more, only to have Jack successfully grip one of his ankles.
The force of Ye Chen's spinning maneuver yanked one of Jack's knees straight up. Consequently, Jack found that he could no longer maintain his balance, leaving him precariously positioned. Seizing the moment, Ye Chen barreled forward onto Jack, flattening him against the mat while still gripping Jack's leg firmly to thwart any counter-moves.
The atmosphere in the gym fell completely silent. Observers were taken aback at how two muscular men, each weighing over 90 kilograms, exhibited such agility. Not only was Ye Chen heavier than Jack, but his flexibility was astounding, surpassing Jack's own capabilities. The earlier back-and-forth motion performed by both wrestlers wasn't an elaborate display; rather, it showcased common techniques in freestyle wrestling. Yet, witnessing someone with Ye Chen's unique combination of flexibility and swiftness was indeed a rarity.
As the silence stretched on, it became evident that even the most ardent skeptics had no retorts to offer. Who dare label this performance merely a cold maneuver? What transpired was athletic skill on display, representing widely accepted techniques in freestyle wrestling. The entire exchange— from the initial position to the concluding move— transpired in under thirty seconds.
It was Jack's coach who wore the most befuddled expression. None of them had anticipated Jack's loss. Observing the scenario unfold suggested that the school's current top contender may not be the one they expected. By the end of that match, it seemed plausible that Ye Chen could eventually challenge for the NCAA 90-kilogram championship. The prospect of Ye Chen winning only intensified the disbelief; the mere thought was mind-boggling.
It was indeed impressive to note that Ye Chen practiced other forms like jujitsu and stood up combat seamlessly integrated into his wrestling skills. Many believed that if he fully committed to the sport, acquiring an Olympic medal wouldn't just be a dream, but very much within reach. The three coaches, exchanging glances, could hardly conceal their astonishment from one another. As they reevaluated the figure of Ye Chen in light of their recent observations, the admiration in their eyes shifted toward a spark of ambition.
However, deep down, they recognized the improbability of it all. With Ye Chen's current affiliations, the reality was that he would represent Daxia if he were to compete at such levels. After the match, Ye Chen helped the bewildered Jack back up, giving him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "You did well out there," he offered, genuine in his praise.
Jack managed a weak smile, but the reality of the situation plagued him: he had been flattened in a matter of seconds, hardly an admirable performance. Facing the NCAA champion had not felt this grim.
"Ye Chen is incredible!" Clark cheered suddenly, cutting through the dampened atmosphere. Instantly, the students around erupted into enthusiastic applause, igniting a wave of cheers that rippled through the crowd. Wusman and GSP couldn't hold back their admiration as they too joined in with applause. Each appreciated the imagery of Ye Chen's earlier triumph, recalling the moment he had deftly secured a victory over an opponent— a fitting form of poetic justice.
In light of the match's outcome, if Ye Chen had made the decision to decisively take down Jack, it would have been an accomplished fact sooner rather than later. Everyone recognized that Jack had given in, standing up having endured the entire ordeal.
"Why weren't you selected for the Daxia national team?" an older coach inquired, coming closer to Ye Chen. "That was mesmerizing wrestling." The old coach's question led to a realization: no other wrestler could surpass Ye Chen's skill at this level within Daxia.
With a modest smile, Ye Chen replied, "To be frank, I've never partaken in any official wrestling competitions. I made an error earlier simply because I'm more comfortable in MMA, and I almost fouled."
This revelation left everyone puzzled. "Mistakes? Still?" they asked, perplexed by the notion.