Henry Cejudo loses at Olympic trials, retires
Sunday, April 22, 2012
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo is retiring after his comeback bid ended with a loss in the semifinals of the U.S. Olympic trials.
Cejudo was the freestyle champion in Beijing four years ago at 55 kilograms. He fell to top-seeded Nick Simmons 3-0, 5-9, 5-2 on Sunday.
Cejudo removed his shoes after the loss, symbolic of a wrestler calling it quits, and flung them into the crowd in Iowa City.
Cejudo, a native of Phoenix, was the only U.S. wrestler to win gold in the Beijing Games. Cejudo didn't wrestle for three years and competed in just a few tournaments before returning for the Olympic trials.
Cejudo says he returned to the sport to inspire people, adding that he's at peace with his decision to retire.
More like this
Gardner says body told him to stop comeback
