U.S. OLYMPIC TRIALS

Posted by Simguy on Monday, 21-Aug-2000 17:17;24

Before: complex backdrop as always during the Olympic trials. Coach Bela Karolyi only has two girls locked in--everyone else has to fight for Sydney. Battle frequently pit’s the remnants of the Magnificent Seven against the new blood--city after city sees Dominique Dawes pound away on the fragile psyche of Vanessa Alter, leaving her all but eliminated by the time Boston rolls around. Jamie Dantzscher answers by hammering Dominique Moceanu into retirement and beating Shannon miller down in a series of fights at that wrecks the hopes of the former superstar. Final stop, Fleet center Boston, Massachusetts--It’s 23 year old Dawes vs. 18 year old Dantzscher--pressure squarely on Dawes who probably needs  to impress to make the team--Jamie a rugged little mass of muscle the hardest hitter since Mary Lou Retton is eager to put the final nail in the coffin of the Mag 7. Red leotard Jamie, tone-toned navy and white leotard Dominique.

During R1: Jamie reminiscent of miller in her prime, right hand at her cheek, left across her stomach, stepping confidently forward and hooking Dawes to the biceps and body with sledgehammer force. ‘Nique using her legs, dancing, lifting the jab off her hip or touching a sneaky lead right before escaping,. Jamie D the clear aggressor, walking Dominique down, bludgeoning her wherever Dawes stands her ground.

R2: Jamie continuing to stalk, getting off with cudgeling power to the hips and tummy, but ‘Nique starting to get there rhythm. Dawes with her left hand at her side, fades Jamie’s fearsome right and counters with a licking right hand from the shoulder--subtle in and out movement, angles and potshot ting power adds up, Dantzscher getting shined up when late in the round, ‘Nique bends into a crashing right hand over Jamie’s left shoulder. Crowd oohs at the flashy punch--but Dawes clearly in awe as she dances away, chased by Jamie D who seems completely unfazed by the flush connect.

R3: Dawes still doing it outside, never letting Dantzscher get to her chest and square up. Jamie bobbing, stepping forward, but her punches come up consistently short as Dawes dances, drops in flashy counterpunches from either side over Jamie’s punches. Late in the round, Dantzscher able to club right round punches to Dawes ribs to avoid the shutout.

R4: Jamie still applying the pressure, Dawes running for the first minute rather than feel those fists on her arms and torso, but midway through the round she catches the teen reaching with another crushing lead right hand. Dawes stepping away--Jamie once again soaking it up without visible wear--Dantzscher walking in, taking punishment, hops in to lift her punches into Dawes’ chest at the bell. girls continue trading after the break as bela nods in approval.

R5: Jamie starting to pound Daws flat footed--’Nique laying in more often, looking to tie up--Jamie walking her down, clubbing her arms, ripping hooks in behind the elbow, and trying for tight uppercuts between the mitts as Dawes slips and leans back desperately, Jamie’s round, but credit Dominique--she’s avoiding being hurt by the dangerous brunette to this point.

R6: Jamie in a comfort zone, riding her cheek on Dominique’s shoulder, heaving her fists up underneath to the ribcage and breasts--’Nique visibly pained, clinching and retreating around the ring. Constant walking pressure from Jamie, bodying up, punching in bunches, and jerking out a very strong jab that catches Domino whenever she backs away. ‘Nique looking discouraged, wincing, cringing late in the round as Jamie works her over in a corner.

R7: OH DOMINO! Crowd roars an ‘Nique feints and walks Jamie onto a crushing right uppercut--Dantzscher finally hurt, stumbles to all fours as Dawes dances away. Jamie bating the count, but those beautiful brown eyes are glassy--Dawes with her weight on the front foot, lets those famous hands play across Jamie’s face, banging away with shoe shining combinations as Dantzscher swoons. Jamie all wobbly butt at the bell--’Nique lifting her mitts and nodding in taunt as Dantzscher ‘s formidable composure starts to crack.

R8: Dawes circling, cruelly playing matador as the wounded brunette plunges forward. ‘Nique never more accurate, spearing Jamie’s face with the jab, falling off to the left, walking Jamie into a crushing straight right and disappearing again. Dantzscher’s beautiful face all swollen and bruised--Dawes just picking her up with deft timing, often with her left hand at her side right coiled at her chest as she slashes in and out.

R9: All Dominique Dawes. No quit in Jamie D, but she’s being outclassed, and getting her face spanked as Dawes fights well going backward. Dawes lifting the jab off her hip, able to sway back from Jamie right hand and counter with that licking right from the chest, bending into the punch and smashing Jamie’s head to the side with cracking connects.

R10: Shutout Dominique Dawes who draws boos by showboating for Bela this round. Dawes harming Jamie’s swollen eyes with that slapping jab, bending into slashing right hands, then keeping her head at Jamie’s thigh level to effortlessly bob and weave her way clear. Jamie blundering forward, teeth gritted as she hacks away in futility--Dawes smoothly stepping back, walking the brunette into punches, late in the round, Dominique with her hands down, nearly pivots, clubbing Jamie’s breasts with catspaw left hands as the girls rotate. Bell sounds as Dominique completes a full circle, just left hands to the breasts as Jamie is powerless to stop the bombardment. Unanimous duke Dominique Dawes.

After: Dawes smiling cat-like as she struts--impressive effort gets her on the team, but there will be some gym wars leading ti Sydney as the new Olympic team gels. Dawes able to neutralize Jamie’s shattering power, much the same way she often handled Miller--Dantzscher unable to hurt ‘Nique even once in ten rounds.

Reposted by Archer 10/21/10.