July 26, 2007: The Salt Lake Tribune

Pan Am Games: Utahn Wins Wrestling Title

Taylorsville's Justin Ruiz won a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling at the Pan-Am Games on Wednesday, cementing himself as a favorite at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in China next summer.

The three-time state champion, three-time national champion and former All-American at Nebraska defeated Brazil's Luiz Fernandes in the finals of the 96-kilogram (211.5-pound) weight division at the Riocentro Sports Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, giving the Americans medals in all six Greco-Roman weight classes in which they entered.

"Ruiz wrestled real smart and real solid," coach Steve Fraser said. "Everyone represented our country very well."

Ruiz dominated in his 7-0, 3-0 win over Fernandes. The silver medalist at the 2003 Pan-Am Games hit a succession of gut wrenches to earn the victory. He will aim next at the world championships in Azerbaijan in September, hoping to make up for not placing at the event last year.