Spenser Mango celebrates his 55 kg gold medal win over Rajender Kumar of India at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. Larry Slater photo

A week after a less than stellar performance at the Kiki Cup, Spenser Mango of the U.S. Army redeemed himself this weekend by winning the Dave Schultz Memorial International in Colorado Springs, Colo. Mango was able to avenge a loss from last week, defeating India’s Rajender Kumar to take the title at 55 kg/121 lbs. 

“At the Kiki Cup I was down all day and went 1-3,” Mango said. “Then today I was fired up and ready to go and get a little revenge and it turned out great.”

Mango was able to learn some lessons from last week’s event.

“I guess I maybe took the Kiki for granted a little bit and really wasn’t as prepared like I should have been. We went to practice after that and worked on the mistakes I made and turned it around,” Mango added. 

Mango, who trains at the U.S. Olympic Training Center (USOTC) in Colorado Springs, certainly feels it is an advantage to host such tournaments here due to the altitude. 

“The advantages of being at the OTC is you get used to wrestling at the altitude and when other guys come here they are a little bit more tired. When we go down to sea level we feel like we can wrestle forever,” Mango said. “Also, almost all the top guys are here and I guess we all make each other better wrestling each other everyday out here.”

As the No.1 guy on the U.S. team at 55 kg/121 lbs. Mango is focused on getting his weight class qualified for the Olympics and then making the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team for London. 
	
“(Qualifying) is the number one priority. I’ve been working hard to get that done. Without it there is really no use making the Olympic team if you can’t wrestle,” Mango said. 

After getting a taste of the Olympic experience in 2008, finishing eighth in Beijing, Mango is anxious to get back on the world’s biggest stage and make his second U.S. Olympic Team, April 21-22 in Iowa City, Iowa. 

Unlike four years ago at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials in Las Vegas when he was not the favorite, Mango will be the guy with his target on his back.

“I was the underdog and this time I’m No. 1. I’m not so much chasing guys, but keeping everybody else down so it’s a little different this year. I’m ready to take the first stride and make another (Olympic) team,” Mango said. 

A three time U.S. Open champion, Mango would love the chance to get another opportunity to compete at the Olympics now that he knows what to expect.

“I was kind of awe struck the first time. It was my first time being there, actually, it was my first time being number one in the U.S.,” Mango said. “It was definitely an eye opener for me and you get there and realize it’s the same guys you see everywhere else, just on a bigger stage.”

Mango is ready for an opportunity to bring home a medal if he gets a second chance at Olympic glory.