LAHTI, Finland (Army News Service, Aug. 18, 2010) -- All-Army wrestler Pvt. Angel Cejudo took home a bronze medal at the Conseil International du Sport Militaire's 27th World Military Wrestling Championships Aug. 12 in Lahti, Finland.
Cejudo, who trains with U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program wrestlers at Fort Carson, Colo., defeated Zhan Safian of Belarus 0-2, 3-0, 2-1 for third place in the 66-kilogram/145.5-pound freestyle division.
Cejudo dropped the first period after getting turned in a front headlock. In the second period, he used movement and quickness for three takedowns without allowing a point. In the final period, Cejudo attacked a leg for the last takedown and deciding point.
"Coach Lewis said to keep scoring," said Cejudo, who had WCAP head coach Shon Lewis in his corner. "He trusted me to get the takedowns. I didn't let the pressure off my opponent."
Cejudo lost in the semifinals to Mohammad Naderi, 2-1, 1-1, 0-1. Cejudo was seven seconds away from winning the match in the second period when Naderi scored. In the final period, Naderi landed a takedown with 1:37 left to notch the victory. Naderi went on to win the gold medal.
In his first bout, Cejudo quickly defeated Mohammed Karbou of Morocco, 7-0, 7-0.
(CISM U.S. Team Captain Van Stokes, deputy director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Campbell, Ky., contributed to this article.)
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