“I can honestly say I’m sad. But at the same time, I gave it my all. I just wasn’t meant to be an Olympic champion again.”
- Henry Cejudo, 2008 Olympic champ Henry’s Last Stand
Olympic champ Henry Cejudo’s comeback falls just short of finals
By Craig Sesker IOWA CITY - Henry Cejudo has always had a flair for the dramatic.
The 2008 Olympic gold medalist, back wrestling again a three-year layoff, gave the 13,000-plus fans plenty to cheer about when he returned to the mat for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials on April 22. Cejudo, 25, won his first two matches before dropping a wild match to 2011 World Team member Nick Simmons in the semifinals at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Simmons earned a dramatic 3-0, 5-9, 5-2 win over Cejudo at 55 kg/121 lbs. Simmons placed fifth at the 2011 World Championships.
The match was considered by many to be the most exciting of the two-day event in Iowa City.
Cejudo removed his shoes following the match - symbolic of a wrestler retiring - before firing them into the stands as the crowd stood and cheered.
“I can honestly say I’m sad,” Cejudo said. “But at the same time, I gave it my all. I just wasn’t meant to be an Olympic champion again.
“For me, it was to use that platform to share my story and to give back. And ulti- mately, I’m full of peace. I’m full of joy.” The dangerous Simmons piled up
points in a number of scrambles between two of the country’s most talented wrestlers.
“I was trying to zone in no matter what was happening,” Simmons said. “I could- n’t tell you how I was scoring points. I don’t really know what happened, it was
18 USA Wrestler
2008 Olympic champ Henry Cejudo retired after dropping an entertaining semifi- nal match to Nick Simmons at the Olympic Team Trials. Tony Rotundo photos.
kind of a blur.”
Cejudo became the youngest U.S. Olympic champion in wrestling at age 21 in Beijing, China.
He then stepped away from the sport before returning to the mat this season. Cejudo offered to provide assistance as a training partner for the U.S. freestyle team as it prepares for this summer’s Olympic Games in London, England. Sam Hazewinkel beat Simmons in the best-of-3 finals to make the U.S. Olympic Team at 55 kilos.
“I’m not going to say goodbye to the sport of wrestling,” he said. “Now, I’m done competing, but if anything I’m going to say hello. I’m going to help these guys. I’m going to help this team.”
Cejudo grew up in poverty in Phoenix as one of six children. His mother, Nelly Rico, raised the fami- ly by herself while working numerous jobs.
Cejudo’s mother has provided motiva- tion for him during his career. “I think my mom wanted me to retire anyway,” he said. “She doesn’t like me wrestling. She’s a sweet lady. To be hon- est with you, she’d rather have us preaching.”
Cejudo just released his second book, and will continue to promote the sport through speaking engagements. He will continue to appear at camps and clinics.
He also is working toward his business degree at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.
He also said he wants to start a family of his own.
“I want to thank everyone for their sup- port,” he said. “The sport of wrestling has meant everything to me. It has opened so many doors for me and I’m very grateful for that. “It’s been a great ride.”
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