Cox packs gold-medal dreams for Olympic Games
By Tod Palmer
Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA, Mo. - J’den Cox has one objective for the 2016 Olympics.
Cox — who left Aug. 2 for Rio de Janeiro, where he’ll compete for the United States as an 86-kilogram freestyle wrestler — intends to return with a gold medal draped around his neck.
“I don’t think anyone trains for third,” said Cox, who was the Central Region winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2013. “I don’t know what that looks like. I sure as heck don’t know what it’s like to train for second.”
It may seem strange for Cox, 21, to declare championship intentions given his relative lack of freestyle and international experience, especially considering the Olympics represent the greatest test in wrestling.
Tigers coach Brian Smith doesn’t find Cox’s confidence odd at all.
“There’s no doubt in my mind, he can beat anybody in the world,” Smith said. “That’s the way he thinks, too. He’s going there to win a gold medal.”
Five months ago, Cox wasn’t even sure if he wanted to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, which he qualified for by winning the NCAA title at 197 pounds.
It had been a long, grueling season for Cox and he contemplated taking a break.
“We sat down and talked about what an opportunity it was and the chance to compete in the Olympic Games,” Smith said. “I told him, ‘You may not be around in four years health-wise or wrestling-wise. You may get a job and move into a career or get married. You never know where you’ll be in four years. You are good enough to do it now, so this is the time to do it.’”
It’s been a whirlwind, but Cox couldn’t be happier with the journey.
“I got to experience things I never thought I would …” he said. “Now, it’s the greatest decision I’ve ever made.”
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Kansas City Star
COLUMBIA, Mo. - J’den Cox has one objective for the 2016 Olympics.
Cox — who left Aug. 2 for Rio de Janeiro, where he’ll compete for the United States as an 86-kilogram freestyle wrestler — intends to return with a gold medal draped around his neck.
“I don’t think anyone trains for third,” said Cox, who was the Central Region winner of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2013. “I don’t know what that looks like. I sure as heck don’t know what it’s like to train for second.”
It may seem strange for Cox, 21, to declare championship intentions given his relative lack of freestyle and international experience, especially considering the Olympics represent the greatest test in wrestling.
Tigers coach Brian Smith doesn’t find Cox’s confidence odd at all.
“There’s no doubt in my mind, he can beat anybody in the world,” Smith said. “That’s the way he thinks, too. He’s going there to win a gold medal.”
Five months ago, Cox wasn’t even sure if he wanted to compete in the U.S. Olympic Trials, which he qualified for by winning the NCAA title at 197 pounds.
It had been a long, grueling season for Cox and he contemplated taking a break.
“We sat down and talked about what an opportunity it was and the chance to compete in the Olympic Games,” Smith said. “I told him, ‘You may not be around in four years health-wise or wrestling-wise. You may get a job and move into a career or get married. You never know where you’ll be in four years. You are good enough to do it now, so this is the time to do it.’”
It’s been a whirlwind, but Cox couldn’t be happier with the journey.
“I got to experience things I never thought I would …” he said. “Now, it’s the greatest decision I’ve ever made.”
Read Full Story
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