Wrestler fights back after injury

Brandon's Eric Grajales, who needed nearly 100 stitches for an injury earlier this summer, is competing in the FILA Greco/Roman Junior World Championships in Beijing.

By TERRY JONES, Times Correspondent
Published August 22, 2007

BRANDON - Four months ago, two-time state and multiple national wrestling champion Eric Grajales was not sure he would be able to represent the United States this year in the FILA Greco/Roman Junior World Championships in Beijing.

Due to a skateboarding accident, the Brandon junior sustained a cut on his left leg that required nearly 100 stitches to hold together.

But he told his dad, Cesar Grajales, he left some unfinished business in the international tournament and worked hard to prepare. Grajales entered the tournament having trained just one month since his doctor cleared him to compete.

"Our doctor said physically his leg was almost 100 percent," his dad said. "It is now a mental contest for him. Will he unintentionally favor the leg and cost himself points? Only Eric can determine that."

In an e-mail to his family, Grajales said his leg is sensitive to the touch, but he felt strong and believed he could do better than last year, when he was eliminated in the first round.

Matches for the tournament are contested in the same arena in Beijing as competition for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Grajales wrestled an Iranian at 55 kilograms (121 pounds) in his first match Tuesday. Head to blogs.tampabay.com/preps to see the results of Grajales' match with Hamid Zare, which were not available at press time. Two other American wrestlers were defeated Monday by members of the tough Iranian team.

The junior team is made up of wrestlers aged 17-20. Grajales said he wants to place this time and still have two more years to be eligible to compete for the United States.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Plant City hired Wardell Chambers as its coach, athletic director Trent Hobbs said. Chambers replaces Gary Meyer, who resigned in April for personal reasons. Chambers will teach social studies. The Raiders (16-9) advanced to the Class 6A, District 8 semifinals and lost to Sarasota in overtime.

Times staff writer Joe Smith contributed to this report.

[Last modified August 21, 2007, 23:50:39]