Tuesday, June 18, 2013

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Coronado grad wins gold in Beijing
Posted: 08.19.2008 at 7:05 PM
Rachel Welte

Rachel Welte is the Weekend News Anchor and a General Assignment Reporter.

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Henry Cejudo, Courtesy AP

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Defeats Japanese opponent Tuesday to win freestyle wrestling gold in 121 lb. weight class

Since the Olympic games started, we have seen a lot of  gold. From Michael Phelps in the pool, Nastia Lukin in the gym, and Kerry Walsh on the sand. And Tuesday, Colorado Springs celebrated its own Olympic champion.   

"He has everything. He has speed, he has talent, and he has a work ethic that is unbelievable, just unbelievable," Coronado wrestling coach Matt Bickell said.

He is 21-year-old Henry Cejudo. A Coronado High School graduate, four-time state wrestling champion, olympian, and now gold medalist. Tuesday, Cejudo defeated Tomorhiro Matsunaga of Japan to win freestyle wrestling gold in his weight class,121 pounds. But, those who know Cejudo said they are not surprised.

"He told me from the day that he got here that he was going to win and olympic gold medal, and he did," Coach Bickell said.

Longtime wrestling coach, Matt Bickell worked with Cejudo during his junior and senior years. He said Henry's desire to win was constant. "I would say, 'Henry who coached you, who made you into this amazing machine,' and he would say 'I am hungry, I want it,'" Coach Bickell said.

Cejudo's parents were illegal immigrants from Mexico. Growing up in Los Angeles, his dad was in and out of prison, leaving his mother and siblings alone to fend for themselves. Coach Bickell said wrestling opened a world of opportunities and dreams for Cejudo.

"You know you are an 'Ameri-can,' not an 'Ameri-can't,' and so when kids say they can not, I just look at them and say 'Yes, you can. We have a kid that went all the way. It is possible,'" Coach Bickell said.

He said when Cejudo turned down numerous college scholarships to pursue his Olympic dream, he was a little nervous, but knew deep down Henry would succeed.

"To be able to say 'I am going to go get that gold,' and to go and get it--wow, it just blows my mind," Coach Bickell said.

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