INLAND FIELDHOUSE

Take a closer look at Roosevelt sophomore Nour Adbullatif and you’ll see an affable kid who just so happens to dominate the heavies.

Abdullatif recently won the 285-pound title at CIF-Southern Section Master’s meet, and will wrestle beginning Thursday, May 1, 2012, at the CIF-State Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield (Ca.).

I caught up with Nour (much easier than spelling/typing A-b-d-u-l-l-a-t-i-f over and over) following his final victory at the Riverside County Championships on Jan. 7.  He was all smiles after a 6-2 win over Rigo Gonzalez (Palm Desert Shadow Hills) in which he pointed early with a takedown and maintained a lead throughout.

What’s it mean to win a Riverside County championship?

“It means a lot. I started the season off late, this is my first tournament, and it means a lot oto just come back.”

This is your first tournament?

“This year. This season.”

What was the issue? Were you injured?

“It was some weight issues.”

Oh. OK. What did you learn tonight that you might apply to the rest of your season?

“Just to be more focused, and observe my opponent more; to work harder.”

What were some of the key points of your championship match?

“(Rodriguez) was more content (to wrestle with his) upper body than most of the guys I’ve wrestled here. He knew what he was doing, though. He had more pressure but I have a low center of gravity.”

No taller than 6-foot-1, Adbullatif is shorter than many heavyweights. It’s a physical trait that carries with it both advantages and disadvantages.

If he’s able to further master his advantages to his opponents’ disadvantage this weekend, the kid with a big smile and low center of gravite could be a champion.