Mark Valenti speaks...

I have a new HG hero!

if there's more, I really need them to be put up.

This is worse than waiting for another season of Arrested Development.

Must suck to feel washed up and weak at 40. As for his opinions, they are feeble and meaningless. He means nothing to me. Frankly, the only reason I am even spending this much time writing something on them is because he personally insulted pretty much every one of my friends.
He doesn't get it. The games are fun for some of us, they are a release for us, or a way to connect to our families and make some good friends. To him, it is just a competition. So, because he can't cut getting older, he retired. That's pathetic. But, in the big picture, so what? The games are better off without people like this. I have no time for that attitude.

I'm not gonna defend or condemn Valenti's opinions on Highland Games, but I will say that he didn't retire because he "can't cut getting older". 

I also think after spending 22 years in the "sport" and doing hundreds of games, he's entitled to that opinion. 

And I feel washed up and weak at 37, and it does suck.  Congrats to any of you guys who actually feel strong (and the few that actually are strong) into your 40's. 

If you're offended by his opinions, then I don't know what to tell you other than you probably shouldn't watch the rest of 'em when they are posted. 

Valenti (and KO) 

C. Smith wrote:  I also think after spending 22 years in the "sport" and doing hundreds of games, he's entitled to that opinion.

The Queen wrote: hunt for a new Highland Games Bear Idol!

Craig please post the rest of the video's or tell us where we can go (basically Mark has already told us where to go) to see the rest of these short films. I'm interested to watch all of them. After 22 year's that he gave to this sport the least we can do is hear him out as a community.  Then you have all the pieces before making a comment. And Craig, Please don't shut this down if it gets ugly the door has been opened.   I think this is going to go Category 5 Sh*t storm real soon. 

I don't understand the hate for multiple classes, light weights, masters, etc, or why he thinks the only reason to do the games is to be a pro. But I agree with him on just about everything else. And if its not fun anymore then there's no reason to do it.

And the Bluto comment about Matso was pure gold.

Speaking as an over 40, under 200 pound, bottom of the B grades amateur with a training log on NASGA -- I figured the videos were a joke.  I found them funny anyway. 

Maybe I'm naive because I don't know Mark, but what I saw what this guy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=3eAtX1AaQdM&t=198) interviewing a man in a Crossfit hat, bashing his own sport.  I just didn't automatically take it seriously.

This sport has no room for sour grapes and blatantly attacking a current champion is not only in bad taste but hurtful.  I know I come across as a stone cold killer on the field but I bleed and cry just like you guys.  

Two new ones today:

http://youtu.be/r636jw2v05U

http://youtu.be/u0BIINEO2O4

Try again, works fine for me. 

WALLY.OLECIK wrote: The Queen wrote: With Valenti retired, the Bear community is in mourning, and on the hunt for a new Highland Games Bear Idol! Why would they mourn and go on a hunt?  Now that Mark's retired, he'll have more time to devote to his fans.  Ding, ding, ding!!

They're actually pretty excited about it. Just watch

Mark doesn't TRY anything.