By Heidi Pederson
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Florida native Chris Bono has long been one of the country’s top wrestlers. He was a 1996 NCAA champion for Iowa State University and has won two U.S. national freestyle titles, including the 2005 crown at 145.5 pounds. He will represent the U.S. in the 2005 World Championships, which start Monday in Budapest, Hungary.
The 31-year-old Bono has been an assistant wrestling coach at Iowa State University since 1997. Fans can follow his career through his website, www.chrisbono.com. He talked with the Star-Telegram two days before his departure for Hungary.
The last time you made a world championship squad, in 2002, the U.S. later pulled out of the meet (which was held in Iran) because of threats made to the U.S. team. How did you feel about missing out on that chance?
“It was crushing. We were ready to go, and we pulled out only two days before we were supposed to leave for it. As a competitor, I would have rather gone and taken my chances. But as an organization, USA Wrestling absolutely made the right decision. They have to look out for our best interests.”
You won the 2003 U.S. title, but last year finished fourth in the 145.5-pound class at the Olympic Trials after you lost to only one opponent. It later came out that you’d broken your elbow in practice two weeks before the Trials. Did you consider not even competing at the meet?
“That never crossed my mind. I was going to do it, regardless. I still thought I’d win. I’m getting older, and what I was thinking is, ‘a gold medal or nothing.’ I’m a college coach, and I also didn’t want to send my college wrestlers the wrong message by withdrawing from the tournament.”
You did go to Athens, as a workout partner for U.S. team member Joe Williams. Jamill Kelly, the wrestler who had won the U.S.’s 145.5 slot, went on to earn a silver medal. Was it hard to watch Kelly, knowing it might have been you with an Olympic medal?
“No, it was good, because he deserved it. We’re all friends at this level, and I’m an American, so it was good to see him do well. It also showed me that I’m right there with all those guys too. That was really what made me decide to keep going.”
Have you changed your training habits at all as you’ve gotten older?
“Yes. I used to be a guy who thought I had to do these long, grueling workouts, but I’ve realized I have to work smarter. So sometimes my workouts aren’t as long as other guys’. I’ve also changed my practices a bit because the rules have changed, and the matches have changed.”
Do you think the rules changes that have been implemented by FILA (the sport’s international governing body) will work to your advantage?
“They’ve helped me out a bunch. Just the change with the clinch position alone – every international match I lost last year was because we went to the clinch position. The upper body aspect was really to my disadvantage because I’m so short.”
You competed in the 2001 World Championships but did not medal. Did you learn anything from that experience that you’ll apply to this Worlds?
“Yes – I need to be ready to go from the first whistle. In 2001 I went out in my first match and got bounced, 4-0. I need to be ready to wrestle my toughest match right off the bat.”
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