PHOENIX - Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo and Penguin Group, announced today that the book tour for Henry Cejudo's remarkable and inspirational autobiography, American Victory, will kick off in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona. Cejudo's book tour will officially begin on January 6 - just one day after American Victory becomes available in book stores nationwide. 

On January 6, at 7 p.m., Henry Cejudo will make an appearance at the Barnes & Noble book store, located at Desert Ridge Marketplace in Phoenix. Henry will be on hand to meet fans, and to autograph copies of American Victory. Henry will also be available for photo opportunities.

According to Henry Cejudo, 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist and author of American Victory, "American Victory is very close to my heart, as it enables me to share my story with the world. I wrote this book in hopes that it will be an inspiration to others, and to send the message that anything is possible in life, you just have to dream big and sacrifice hard."

Cejudo went on to say, "I am very excited about my book tour. I wanted to start the tour in cities that were very influential in my development, both as an athlete and as an individual. I was born in Los Angeles, spent a majority of my youth in Phoenix, and became an Olympian while living and training at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. With so many friends, family, and training partners in these communities, it only seemed appropriate to include them in my book signing journey. The book tour will also continue on to other cities, as I would like to share my story with as many people as possible."

AMERICAN VICTORY: Wrestling, Dreams, and a Journey Toward Home by Henry Cejudo and Pulitzer Prize nominee Bill Plaschke (Celebra Hardcover Original; January 5, 2010; $24.95), is a success story depicting a family's struggle to survive, a young man's indomitable spirit, and the American Dream.  It is a powerful and inspiring memoir of a young and determined American-born son of undocumented Mexican immigrants who, against all odds and expectations, achieved his dream of becoming an Olympic champion. 

Please see the current American Victory Book Tour schedule below. Additional cities will be added over the coming weeks. 

American Victory Book Tour Schedule:

Phoenix, Arizona - Jan. 6 at 7 p.m., Barnes & Noble
Colorado Springs, Colo. - Jan. 9 at 2 p.m., Borders Books (2120 Southgate Rd.)
Denver, Colo. - Jan. 12 at 7:30 p.m., Tattered Cover (Colfax Location)
Los Angeles - Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble at the Grove
Pasadena, Calif. - Jan. 20 at 7 p.m., Borders Books
Pico Rivera, Calif. - Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., Borders Books

For additional information on Henry Cejudo's American Victory Book Tour, please visit www.henrycejudo.com. The website will be updated as new cities are added. 

About the Authors:

Henry Cejudo is a freestyle wrestler who won a gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. At 21 years old, he was the youngest American ever to have won an Olympic wrestling gold medal. Henry was born in Los Angeles and currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Bill Plaschke has been named the Associated Press Sports Columnist of the year four times. He has been a sports columnist for the Los Angeles Times since 1996 and is a regular panelist on ESPN'S "Around the Horn." He has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and his work has been featured frequently in The Best American Sports Writing.