Sanderson returns to top of heap

ATHENS — Most Olympic sports grow in America because of a champion’s influence. “We need an ambassador in wrestling, bad,” said U.S. coach Bobby Douglas.

He smiled when he said it because he knew the Americans already have one. Cael Sanderson was confirmed Saturday night when he won the freestyle gold medal in the 185-pound class. Sanderson beat Moon Eui-jae of South Korea, 3-1.

“I’ve been carrying a spare key around because, if I’d lost, I wanted to make sure I could get in the house,” said Sanderson, who quickly added his family was more supportive than that.

Sanderson is probably the most famous Olympic wrestler since Dan Gable. He was undefeated throughout his Iowa State career and was a four-time NCAA champ, and has appeared on a Wheaties box.

He hasn’t been invincible after leaving college, however. He had to struggle to make the U.S. team during the Trials, and was a silver medalist in last year’s Worlds.

“I didn’t wrestle my best during this meet,” Sanderson said. “I gave up a lot of points throughout. But you just have to struggle through it and do what you have to do, and I did.”

“He’s the quickest wrestler in the world at his weight class,” Douglas said, “but what makes Cael special is that he has the heart of a champion.”

But the Americans, who have won more freestyle medals than any other Olympic nation, lost two other finals Saturday.

Stephen Abas was beaten by Russia’s Mavlet Batirov in the 121-pound class, 9-1, and Jamill Kelly lost to Elbrus Tedesev of Ukraine 5-1 at 145-pounds.

Abas was happy with the silver because it is his highest international finish. But Batirov beat him up soundly, and Abas emerged with a bad knee and a partially-closed eye.

“I was probably over-aggressive and it cost me,” Abas said. “But I haven’t had that much experience. I’m going to go back and keep training, and I’ll be going for the gold medal in Beijing.”

Kelly, who was not considered a medal contender, was happy with silver but unhappy with the way he approached Tedesev.

“I was a little timid,” Kelly said. “You’ve got to come out shooting in a match like this and I didn’t shoot.”