SCWAY News Correspondent
Los Angeles, California – Before brother’s Alex and Ronnie Ramirez learned how to walk, they were being taught wrestling moves by their dad, Camilo Gonzalez. Gonzales is the Head Coach at Rowland Heights High School and also of one of the most prestigious wrestling clubs in Southern California, the Pounders wrestling club.
Gonzales was a great wrestler during his high school days. He was a California state placewinner for Chaffey High School in 1997, and won two California state titles for Mt. San Antonio junior college and a National Collegiate Wrestling Association title for University of Reno as a college wrestler. In the international scene, he was a U.S Open National Champion and represented both Mexico and the U.S.A in international competition.
Now both of his boys are trying to have the same success as their father on the wrestling mats around the Golden state and the nation. But before they can take their talent to the junior high and elementary level, they will be taking their skills to one of the premier wrestling events in the nation, the Southwest Kickoff Classic, also known in the wrestling circuit as the Freak show.
Both Alex and Ronnie have won the event twice in their short wrestling careers.
“We love coming to the Freak show. Every year the tournament growths bigger and brings the best kids from all over the nation. Thus the reason we come here. To seek and wrestle the best from the best. I can’t wait to see my boys win this event for the third time and together for the first time” said, Camilo Gonzales.
Older brother Alex is always looking to wrestle the best from the nation.
Alex's Wrestling accomplishments
-Ranked No. 1 in the nation
-World Star Member
-2x Freak Show Champion
-Triple Crown Winner
-8X California Greco-Roman, Freestyle and Folkstyle state champion
-Ohio TOC Champion
-Tulsa Kickoff Champion
-California Republic Champion
-Top 100 Champion in New Jersey
-Post Nationals Champion
-Reno Worlds Champion
“Alex hasn’t wrestle in his correct weight and division for a long time. We always like to test the waters in tougher competition and bumped a weight or two in every tournament we attend. I always teach my boys to wrestle the best and to never avoid tougher competition” – Said, CamilO
Because of their accomplishments, many wrestling fans are comparing them to some of the best brother duals the Golden State have seen.
Ronnie’s Wrestling Accomplishments
- Ranked No. 1 in the nation
-World Star Member
-2x Freakshow Champion
-Post National Champion
-Tulsa Kickoff Champion
-Reno Trinity Award Recipient
-California 4X state champion
- California Republic Champion
- Top 100 Champion in New Jersey
- Triple Crown Winner
- Reno Worlds Champion
“It’s an honor to see so many people comparing my boys to the Valencia’s, Schultz’s, Tirapelle’s, Lawson’s, Cuesta’s and other great brothers from California at such a young age. But to be honest, we want to create our own legacy” –Said, Camilo
Camilo is doing a great job with his boys. Each year they travel all over the country, putting hundreds of miles to his car to attend major tournaments. And now people around the nation are starting to notice their accomplishments. But don’t think Camilo will be done with youth wrestling real soon.
“I have a younger boy (Camilo Jr.) who will be wrestling for the first time at the Freak Show. And a two year old boy who should be hitting the mats real soon. My goal in life is to make good men out of my boys. To be humble on and off the mat” – said Camilo
Don’t be surprised to see all the Ramirez siblings be inducted into the Freak Show Hall of Fame in the near future with all their titles won in this great event.
“I would encourage all to attend the Freak Show and wrestle the best around the nation. The top talent from California in all divisions will be in attendance. We just can’t wait for the tournament to begin” – said, Camilo.
The Southwest Kickoff Classic has gotten so popular in the past years that people have named it "The Freak Show of Amateur Wrestling" due to the toughness of the tournament. The event has 24 mats in one 80,000 square foot venue inside the Rio Resort & Casino. All competitor brackets, from the youth wrestlers all the way to the elite division, have numerous wrestlers with outstanding wrestling careers. Being so closed to California, all of the elite wrestlers from that state always attend the tournament. College coaches from all divisions are in attendance trying to recruit new talent and make them into college All-Americans.
The Southwest Kickoff Classic is also the only event of its kind in the nation that showcases wrestling matches between UFC stars and former NCAA national champions. Plus being inducted into the Freak show Hall of Fame, is one of the biggest highlights for any scholastic wrestler.
For more information on the tournament visit the following site.
FREAKSHOW:
When: October 31-November 2, 2014
Where: Rio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Nevada
Registration: www.nuwayvegas.com
Cost: $50
Spectators Admission: $15
Hotel: Rio Resort & Casino Las Vegas Nevada
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