Went to the 2008 Olympic Games after retiring in 2005 and subsequently announcing his return to international competition in September 2006
At the 2008 Pan American Championships, he earned his Olympic berth in a formality, simply by participating in the tournament (still won the 100 kg gold defeating Eduardo Costa of Argentina)
Four-time Pan Am Games medallist winning gold in 1995, silvers in 2003, 2007 and bronze in 1999
Suffered a hyper-extended elbow in the 3rd round of the 1999 World Championships, but with an Olympic spot on the line, he fought two more bouts without the full use of one arm
