OLYMPICS WRESTLING: SANDERSON FULFILLS HIS PROMISE HE FINALLY MAKES INTERNATIONAL IMPACT BY WINNING THE GOLD.Byline: Steve Dilbeck Staff Writer ATHENS, Greece - It's not that the bar was set high or anything, they just expected him to be the greatest wrestler of all time. Cael Sanderson Cael Norman Sanderson (born June 20, 1979 in Salt Lake City, Utah), (pronounced "kale") is an American wrestler and current head wrestling coach at Iowa State. A 2004 Olympic champion, he also went undefeated in four years of college wrestling (159-0), including four was so good in college, so unbelievable, that all he did was go 159-0, breaking the record of the legendary Dan Gable Dan Gable (born October 25, 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa), is a well-known American amateur wrestler. He is considered one of the greatest American amateur wrestlers of all time. . Gable is recognized as the greatest wrestler in American history, if not the world. When he won an Olympic gold Olympic Gold is the official video game of the XXV Olympic Summer Games, hosted by Barcelona, Spain in 1992. It was released for the Sega consoles, Mega Drive/Genesis and Master System, and Sega's handheld, Game Gear. in 1972, he did not allow a single point. Sanderson had looked semi-mortal during his first three years on the international circuit, his best finish being second in last year's world championships. But Saturday night Sanderson delivered on all that fabulous promise with an Olympic championship. The 185-pound Sanderson led an outstanding day for the U.S. freestyle wrestling This article is about freestyle wrestling. For the style of wrestling practiced in American high schools and colleges, see Collegiate wrestling. Freestyle wrestling is a form of amateur wrestling that is practiced throughout the world. team, winning a gold medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize , while 121-pound Stephen Abas Stephen Anthony Abas (born January 12, 1978) is one of the most accomplished American wrestlers in history. He graduated from James Logan High School after two years as a star wrestler. Prior to JLHS he attendended Canyon Springs High School, in Moreno Valley, California. and 145-pound Jamill Kelly Jamill Kelly is an American freestyle wrestler. He represented the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympic Games. High School Years Kelly attended Atwater High School in Atwater, California and placed fourth in the state wrestling tournament as a senior. each won silver. The U.S. has two more freestylers in today's final day of competition, Joe Williams at 163 and Daniel Cormier at 211. Sanderson led the way, however, with his 3-1 victory over South Korea's Eui Jae Moon. ``This is his greatest great moment,'' said U.S. coach Bobby Douglas Bobby Douglas is a famed wrestling coach and Olympian. Douglas was one of the few wrestlers to have defeated Dan Gable during Gable's illustrious career. [1] He is in the Hall of Fame. In his career, he has coached many Olympians who placed in the top three in the world. , who was also his coach at Iowa State. ``He has the heart of a champion.'' Moon had a 1-0 lead early in the second 3-minute period, but Sanderson took Moon to his back for a 2-point exposure and later took him down to earn the necessary three points. His reward was becoming the first U.S. wrestler here to become an Olympic champion. ``This whole thing is unreal,'' Sanderson said. ``It's hard to believe I'm here. I've been thinking about it for so long. I see the medal, but I don't believe it.'' Sanderson had to beat his nemesis, Cuba's Yoel Romero, in the semifinals earlier in the day to advance to the gold-medal match. Moon, who also took the silver at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, said he would now retire. Sanderson, 25, said he would likely continue his wrestling career, but was uncertain. ``I'm just going to take some time off right now,'' he said. ``If I have that desire to compete, I'll keep going. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. what else I would do, but I'll have fun whatever it is.'' Although Sanderson was expected to threaten for the gold, Kelly was a complete surprise. Kelly, 26, has never won a high school or college championship, never placed in a world championship. But he kept winning overtime bouts here until he advanced to the championship match. There he ran into Ukraine veteran Elbrus Tedeev, a three-time world champion. Tedeev took quick control of the match, and then hung on for a 5-1 victory. ``The silver was a huge accomplishment,'' Miller said. ``But I came here expecting to get gold. At the moment I'm disappointed, but I'll appreciate it later.'' Abas, a former Fresno State standout, has placed as high as fifth at the world championships, but never had medaled. He beat Russia's Mavlet Batirov Mavlet Alavdinovich Batirov (Russian: Мавлет Алавдинович Батиров last year on the way to his fifth-place finish, but Saturday the 20-year-old Batirov dominated the match for a 9-1 victory. ``This was not my day,'' Abas said. ``But this is the highest finish of my career, and I'm proud.'' Steve Dilbeck, (818) 713-3607 stephen.dilbeck(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: American Cael Sanderson, who was 159-0 in college, captured his first major international event on Saturday, winning a gold medal. Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press |
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