Jim Gruenwald (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) is an amazing athlete. After a devastating shoulder dislocation at the 2003 World Championships, causing him to injury default in his semifinal match against two-time Olympic champion Armen Nazarian of Bulgaria, Gruenwald was almost forced into early retirement.    "This is a situation no one ever pictures happening to themselves, walking off the mat with out completing the match," explained Gruenwald.     Shoulder surgery immediately was followed by six painful months of rehabilitation. Gruenwald was unable to compete in any events before the 2004 U.S. Nationals in Las Vegas, Nev. How well he would wrestle was unknown.     Seriously injuring himself and working through the pain daily in rehab is something Gruenwald had never experienced. He decided not to quit and turned to his faith to help him through.    "I always thought that if I am ever seriously injured, I would call it quits, but it didn't seem right. I feel as if I serve God through wrestling and I felt I was so close to the medals that I could not quit," said Gruenwald.     With a vow not to let this injury break him, and use it to make him a better all-around person, Gruenwald started rehab. Included was conditioning and strength training. He got onto the mat only a few weeks before the U.S. Nationals, where he won all five of his matches and the gold medal at 60kg/132 lbs.     "Two months ago, if someone asked me if I would be ready to compete at Nationals, honestly I would have said no. But I worked hard through rehab, and trained smart. I knew once I got back on the mat, it would be just like riding a bike, and it would just come to me," said Gruenwald. "It is amazing at how much improvement I have made and how far I have come in the last few months."    Anatoly Petrosyan, Greco-Roman Resident Coach agrees.    "I did not expect him to recover so quickly," explained Petrosyan. "He was on the mats only a few weeks before the U.S. Nationals."    In previous years,  Gruenwald would have wrestled in at least four or five tournaments before the U.S. Nationals.     "I am completely satisfied with my performance at Nationals. For me to come to this tournament and win, only six months after the surgery is incredible," said Gruenwald. "My shoulder felt good. Honestly, while I was wrestling I never felt a problem."    Wrestling was difficult at first for Gruenwald because of the pain in his shoulder. He only wrestled one match in practice before Nationals. His training partners welcomed him back and were ready to work with him during his recovery.     Kevin Bracken, a fellow 2000 Olympian, works with Gruenwald on a consistent basis on the mat. He also has three other athletes at his weight training in Colorado Springs, Colo. including Glenn Nieradka, Joe Warren, and Jacob Hey.     "I have no enemies at my weight, but I do have opponents," explained Gruenwald. "Most of the guys do not like training with the other guys at their weight. I feel it is an ideal situation for me with those four guys training in the same room daily. I am able to figure them out and they should have been able to figure me out by now."    Even though his rehab is progressing at a good pace and he has been working out with Bracken more, Gruenwald has a lot on his plate in the next few months. He will be dealing with the aches and pains of his shoulder on a daily basis.     The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling in Indianapolis, Ind. May 21-23 are less than a month away. Should he win, there will be more training to prepare for the Olympics in Athens, Greece.     "Matches at Nationals exposed some of my weaknesses in certain areas. I know I need to work on the clinch and par terre offense. I am adjusting my style and techniques to work with my shoulder and keep it healthy," said Gruenwald.     In these final few weeks of training before the Olympic Trials, Gruenwald has no hesitations.     "In preparation I am going to do what I can and improve where needed. More importantly, I have to listen to my shoulder and let it tell me what I am able to do," said Gruenwald.    At the Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Gruenwald will have to wrestle at most three matches in the Championship Series on May 23. He will face the winner of the Challenge tournament in a best two out of three series.     Gruenwald, who placed sixth at the 2000 Olympics, is hoping to finish his conquest of Olympic glory this summer in Athens, Greece. His ideal goal is to win the Olympic Trials Championship Series, then head to Athens, Greece and beat Nazarian to win the Olympic gold.     "It would be the best way to put this part of my life to rest," expressed Gruenwald. "I am 95% sure I will retire after this season."     "He has sacrificed a lot to get where he is today. There is no doubt in my mind that he will be ready," said Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach, Momir Petkovic.    Gruenwald believes everything will work out. His faith and positive attitude has helped him through rehab, strengthing his shoulder and practice daily.     "He is not a scary man, but he is very mentally strong. His goal to be a champion and he will do everything to achieve that," added Petrosyan.      Nothing, not even a repaired shoulder and the pain that comes with it, will hold Gruenwald back from realizing his dream. He is focused, determined, and has faith that he will wrestle well and win.     "Winning and losing does not define me, rather knowing I put my best effort forth and gave it my all does," said Gruenwald.      _________________________________________________________  The U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Wrestling are May 21-23 at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Tickets and hotel accomodations are available. Visit www.trials2004.com for more information.