Olympic silver medalist Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan working out at OTC
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by Craig Sesker
Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga (in blue) battles American Henry Cejudo in the 2008 Olympic freestyle finals. Larry Slater photo.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga is a name that is familiar to wrestling fans in the United States and around the World.
Matsunaga won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He placed second at 55 kg/121 lbs. in freestyle wrestling.
Matsunaga lost in two straight periods to American Henry Cejudo in the Olympic gold-medal match. Cejudo, at age 21, became the youngest U.S. Olympic wrestling champion in history.
Matsunaga, 28, is at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this week. He's been training with the American freestyle wrestlers during the first U.S. World Team Camp.
He had been in the United States earlier this year taking English classes in Los Angeles.
Matsunaga pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the Olympics when he headlocked and pinned 2007 World champion Besik Kudukhov of Russia in the semifinals.
Matsunaga's ability to speak English is still very limited. When asked about wrestling Cejudo, who is taking this season off, Matsunaga smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign.
"Cejudo is very good," Matsunaga said.
Matsunaga went through a pair of light workouts with the team as the camp started on Monday.
2009 U.S. World Team member Danny Felix talked in a video interview about working out with Matsunaga on Monday morning. U.S. Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick also discussed what it's like having one of the best wrestlers in the World training with the U.S. team.
Video of visit to OTC by Olympic silver medalist Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Japan's Tomohiro Matsunaga is a name that is familiar to wrestling fans in the United States and around the World.
Matsunaga won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. He placed second at 55 kg/121 lbs. in freestyle wrestling.
Matsunaga lost in two straight periods to American Henry Cejudo in the Olympic gold-medal match. Cejudo, at age 21, became the youngest U.S. Olympic wrestling champion in history.
Matsunaga, 28, is at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs this week. He's been training with the American freestyle wrestlers during the first U.S. World Team Camp.
He had been in the United States earlier this year taking English classes in Los Angeles.
Matsunaga pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the Olympics when he headlocked and pinned 2007 World champion Besik Kudukhov of Russia in the semifinals.
Matsunaga's ability to speak English is still very limited. When asked about wrestling Cejudo, who is taking this season off, Matsunaga smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign.
"Cejudo is very good," Matsunaga said.
Matsunaga went through a pair of light workouts with the team as the camp started on Monday.
2009 U.S. World Team member Danny Felix talked in a video interview about working out with Matsunaga on Monday morning. U.S. Assistant National Freestyle Coach Bill Zadick also discussed what it's like having one of the best wrestlers in the World training with the U.S. team.
Video of visit to OTC by Olympic silver medalist Tomohiro Matsunaga of Japan
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