Former MU wrestler Ben Askren qualifies for 2008 Olympics

By Nick Forrester

Published June 18, 2008

Former Missouri wrestler Ben Askren was the first Missouri wrestler to win a national championship, winning the title in 2006. He accomplished the same feat in 2007. And he now can add a new first to his list of achievements — becoming the first Missouri wrestler to qualify for the Olympics.

Askren said the realization didn’t sink in until MU Wrestling Coach Brian Smith asked him to speak at a few MU wrestling camps.

“At first I didn’t want to speak, because I don’t really like talking about myself in front of a bunch of kids,” Askren said. “Then I started to think, ‘Wait, this is a lifelong dream. I’m an Olympian.’ It just hit me and I started bawling in my car.”

When Askren arrived at the camps, he was greeted by a 600-person standing ovation to welcome him back to Missouri.

Smith, who compared Askren’s toughness, work ethic and ability to adapt to the competition to boxing-great Muhammad Ali, said he wasn’t surprised when he found out that his former wrestler was going to the Olympics.

“We expected that and we expect him to go win the gold,” Smith said. “I’ve been on the phone with some boosters saying, ‘I’ve got to get to China because I can’t afford to miss this.’”

Smith also spoke of the positive effects that this will have on the entire Missouri wrestling program.

“When I recruited him, I told him that he could be the first national champion at Missouri,” Smith said. “Then, when he was training here for the Trials, people told him that he couldn’t make the Olympic team, and now he’s done that. Now he’s going to go win the gold. When we go to recruits, we can tell them that we have an Olympian, and hopefully a gold-medalist, training here.”

Before the Olympic Trials, Askren made t-shirts that said, “Putting the Chin in China,” mocking his own large chin. His personal fan section could be seen wearing the shirts, much to the dislike of his opponents, as well as the security at the Thomas and Mack Center.

“I had by far the rowdiest crowd at the whole tournament, so the Thomas and Mack Center banned anyone wearing a ‘Chin in China’ shirt from buying alcohol,” Askren said. “They were that rowdy; it was awesome.”

Askren will have plenty of competition at the Olympic Games, with Buvaisar Saitiev, one of Askren’s favorite wrestlers to watch, and who is considered one of the best wrestlers of all-time, in the same bracket.

“I shouldn’t be considered a favorite by any means,” Askren said. “Saitiev has won six world titles and two Olympic titles, so he should be the favorite. He does have some flaws though and I’m going to try and exploit those.”

Askren will prepare for Beijing by continuing to do the same things he did to prepare for the Trials.

“I need to do the same things to be successful. I’m taking a couple days off, but as soon as I’m healed, I’ll start training again. We have some USA team training camps that we have to attend and I’ll bring some of the guys that I train with out there and get to work.”

Askren, famous for his confidence, crowd gestures and flamboyant hair, said he doesn’t like his famous hairstyle.

“I realize that people like gimmicks and I’m going to Beijing, and my hair’s going to be my gimmick, so hopefully I’ll get a sponsorship or two. Maybe I’ll get some money out of having this stupid, curly hair.”

Askren will begin competition in the 74 kg freestyle weight class beginning Wednesday Aug. 20.