Ellis Coleman, a 2009 graduate of Oak Park and River Forest High School and the lone athlete from Oak Park competing in the summer Olympics in London, made his debut in the 2012 Games on Monday morning by wrestling Ivo Angelov of Bulgaria in the 60-kilogram qualification round. Coleman’s Olympic debut was short-lived as the former Huskie lost 1-0, 7-1 to Angelov, the 2011 world bronze medalist.
Coleman, 20, was the youngest wrestler competing in the Olympics. His “Flying Squirrel” move gained extensive attention last year due to a video on YouTube. He attempted the move against Angelov late in the match but it didn’t take.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Coleman had around 40 family members and friends on hand in London to watch his Olympic debut and that fans unfurled a banner that read “Pride of the Huskies.”
A fundraiser on behalf of Coleman held at Doc Ryans in Forest Park two months ago netted over $14,000 to help accommodate traveling and lodging expenses to London for family and friends, according to OPRFwrestling.com, the official website for OPRF’s wrestling program.
