“Just to represent that flag and wave it up in the air,” gold medalist wrestler Henry Cejudo begins. “It seems like you’re flying (on camera). Aww, I wish I could just relive that again.”
Cejudo seemingly came out of nowhere – a guy who wasn’t expected to medal, let alone, win. Now Cejudo is living both the Olympic dream, and… the American dream.
“It’s the land of opportunity. It’s the best country in the world,” he said to Access.
Henry’s life began on the tough streets of south Los Angeles. His single mother moved the family from city to city around the southwest trying to make ends meet. At 17, Henry joined his brother at the Olympic training center in Colorado Springs. It was the first time he had ever slept alone.
“We got our rooms separate,” he said. “Like way across the hall from each other. I was actually lonely,” he joked.
Henry’s mother didn’t make it to Beijing, but a sister and two brothers did, In fact, they got so vocal during Henry’s gold medal match, they nearly got booted from the arena.
“I heard ‘em,” he recounted. ”But I had no idea they were about to get kicked out. As long as they know I won, it’s all worth it.”
Henry had to come from behind in his first three matches just to reach the final round. He says he slept with his gold medal last night, and he’s pretty sure of where it will go when he gets back home.
“I’m just gonna leave it in my sock drawer or something, so I can see it all the time.”
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