Pan American champion Henry Cejudo of the US beat Asian champion Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan to win the men’s freestyle wrestling 55kg gold medal yesterday.
The 21-year-old American took the first period in an ordered clinch after a 2-2 tie and scored a three-point takedown to finish the second period 3-0 for his first world-class victory.
The bronze medals went to Russia’s world champion Besik Kudukhov and Radosiav Velikov of Bulgaria.
Cejudo’s victory gave the US its first wrestling gold of the Beijing Games
Cejudo, a 21-year-old from Colorado Springs taking part in his first Olympics, had tears in his eyes as he wrapped himself in the Stars and Stripes, following a winning campaign he attributes to his “American way” of non-stop wrestling.
Coach Mike Duroe lifted Cejudo off the floor in a bear-hug.
The coach of Matsunaga, 28, had disputed a point in the first period but judges reviewed the video tape and ruled in favor of the young American and let it stand.
“He’s testament to the fighting spirit of America,” Duroe said. “This means so much to him. Gold medals are the American dream.”
Cejudo, with an eye coming up black, said: “My life has changed already. Watching the flag go up on that podium feels real good.”
Cejudo was born in Los Angeles to then illegal immigrants from Mexico City who met in the US.
His father had stints in jail which led to the break-up of the family. Older sister Gloria has said his difficult upbringing showed her brothers the type of determination that is required to succeed.
Cejudo’s older brother Angel is also a nationally ranked freestyle wrestler.
Russia’s world champion Maviet Batirov won his second straight Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medal yesterday as he beat Ukraine’s Vasyl Fedoryshyn in the 60kg final.
The 24-year-old, the 55kg champion in Athens four years ago, narrowly outpointed the three-time European champion each of the two rounds.
The bronze medals went to Kenichi Yumoto of Japan and Iran’s Seyedmorad Mohammadi.
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