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all the World titles he’s won. He’s very dedicated. It takes that type of commit- ment to be the best.
Do you think you can recapture some of the magic you had in 2008? Absolutely. I just started training, so I know it’s going to take some time. I’m back and I’m excited. I’m ready to make another run at this. How important is this season for
you? It’s crucial. This is a big year for me and a big year for our country. Time is not on my side. I have to catch up. I’m excit- ed to compete again. I want to make the World Team and win a World title. It’s important because we have to qualify the weight class for the Olympics. I haven’t won a World title and I want one. Do you feel like you still have the skill and the athletic ability you had before?
Oh yeah, for sure. I feel great and I’m
hungry. People think I’ve just been sitting around and doing book signings, but I’ve been working out and staying in shape. I’m just not in wrestling shape yet. You went through the pressure of qualifying the weight class for the 2008 Olympics. How difficult was that? There was a lot of pressure. If you don’t make it, then the U.S. doesn’t wres- tle in that weight class in the Olympics. What do you remember most about your experience in Beijing? The most exciting part of Beijing obvi- ously was winning and accomplishing my dream and draping that American flag around me when I ran around the mat after I won. I wish I could feel that again. That was so amazing. I had a dream about winning the 2012 Olympics in London. I wasn’t so emotional this time, but I was laughing and saying, ‘I told you guys I could do it again.’ I want to experi- ence that again.
What do you say to some of the people who don’t think you are seri- ous about wrestling?
I’m back and I’m committed to this. I’m at my peak physically. I just turned 24. I feel so strong. My speed and my timing, I know it is still there. I really don’t care what people say. I know what I’m capable of doing. You are in a different training situa- tion now with a different coaching staff from when you last trained at the Olympic Training Center. How do you see that going? We have some good coaches here. I just need someone to push me like Terry Brands did in 2008. Zeke Jones is the National Coach now and he’s working
8 USA Wrestler
Henry Cejudo jumps into the arms of Coach Kevin Jackson after winning the Olympic gold medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. John Sachs photo.
with me. He is my general and I’m his soldier. I just have to listen to him and fol- low the plan he has for me. I have faith in Zeke.
What is it going to take to win the Olympics again?
My mind has to be right, my weight has to be down and I need to have the right attitude and the right approach. If I do that, nothing can stop me. Your older brother, Angel, is training with you at the OTC. How important is that to have him around? That’s why I’m here. If Angel wasn’t here, I would probably be in Iowa with Terry Brands. Angel and Terry were the reasons I won the Olympics. Angel led the way for me and he’s the reason I came here. I can’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me. He’s a good train- ing partner and he really supports me.
What’s it like being back at the Olympic Training Center? It’s different. It’s a lot different being
back. There are some really dedicated athletes here who work really hard. I was really fortunate to make it at age 21. It’s a great place to train.
How long do you plan to continue wrestling? I’m done after the Olympics in London. This will definitely be it. I will get on with the rest of my life after that. I want to get my degree and maybe start a family. Your weight class of 55 kilograms has a lot of different faces in the U.S. since you last competed. How do you see that?
There are some tough guys in there, but those guys better run and they better hide because I’m coming after them. I
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