Sports

In one statement, you can hear in Dremiel Byers’ voice the disappointment of not fulfilling a promise to his grandfather, Theodore, to win a wrestling gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

PHOTO/U.S. ARMY

Kings Mountain native Dremiel Byers (top) is determined to make another run at a wrestling gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.

“I really need to get this medal. I really do, just to feel normal,” the Kings Mountain native said.

A super heavyweight in Greco-Roman wrestling, Byers lost in the third round of the tournament to Sweden’s Jalmar Sjoberg 0-3, 1-1 and 1-1. Byers, a staff sergeant in the Army, knew he did not perform to his abilities and came up short of his goal.

“Blame lies in the mirror. I’m always going to be disappointed that I didn’t do what I was supposed to do while I was there. I understand it’s an accomplishment to make it that far. However, don’t count me out,” said Byers.     

 
In 2005, while suffering from Alzheimer’s, Theodore died of a heart attack. Byers promised his grandfather that he would earn an Olympic gold medal. In a June 15, New York Times story, Byers talked about losing his grandfather.  
“It was the most painful news I ever received,” Byers said about Theodore’s death. “It still touches me and crushes me. I don’t remember a day gone by where I don’t talk about him.”

With the 2008 Olympics behind him, Byers has his eyes set on the 2012 Olympics in London for one more shot. However, he admits this is his last attempt, since age plays a factor. In a heavyweight field of 20, Byers was the second-oldest wrestler at 33.

“I’m looking towards London. I figured if I did anything past that, some one will have to do an intervention. I feel like I have a lot more wrestling left in me. ... At this point it’s like, I’ve been there, I know what it’s about, I know what I have to do to go get and do it.”

That’s because in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Byers was a training partner for Rulon Gardener, the 2000 gold medalist who beat Byers in the 2004 Olympic team trails. When Gardener retired, Byers stepped in.  

He is a seven-time U.S. national and Armed Forces champion and was a 2007 World Championship bronze medalist. His athletic awards include 2004 U.S. Nationals outstanding wrestler, 2002 Olympic committee male wrestler of the year, 2002 U.S. Army male athlete of the year and was named outstanding wrestler at the 2007 Dave Shultz Memorial Tournament.

In 1993, Byers won a state wrestling championship at Kings Mountain High. He attended N.C. A & T on a football scholarship for one year, but left due to family issues. He then joined the Army.

He attributes his success to the military, his coaches and family.

“(The Army) saw what I was working with and were able to do something with it,” Byers said. “They took what my coach [Steve Moffitt] built, polished it and made me into what I am now. I am very fortunate, this would not have happened for me had it not been for the Army.”

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