RE: 2004 OLYMPIC MISSION
Fall/Winter 2003, United States
Dear Friend and Olympic Mission Supporter,
My life is consumed by a magnificent obsession. For sixteen years this addiction has driven me to pursue a giant dream. I am on a mission to be the best, to prove that ordinary people like you and me can achieve great success through determination and proper support. I am Enrique Montiel, Olympian in the Making.
My journey began close to the mid eighties, under the mentorship of St. Augustine High School wrestling coach Joe Craig in San Diego. He is the man that introduced me to the greatest challenge of my life - the challenge to become the best I can be with the talents and potential life has gifted me. Under his guidance I grew to love this great sport that remains integral in my life. I completed high school as one of the most decorated wrestlers to come out of my Alma Mater. But more significantly, over the course of those four years, a flame had been kindled deep within me bearing the Olympic brand. I must heavily credit the birth of my Olympic obsession to the personal influences that Olympians Tim Vanni (2x Olympian), David Butler (2x Olympian), Michael Foy (2x Olympian & World Silver), and Buddy Lee (1x Olympian) had on me.
In 1996, through injuries and against practical odds, I accomplished becoming All-American. At 23, with no college wrestling experience, I had qualified for and competed in the Final U.S. Olympic Team Trials, finishing 8th place. For 2000, when I attempted to make the Olympic team again, not only did I have to prepare myself to compete, I had to do so up two and a half weight categories from the previous Olympic cycle. This was due to my original Olympic weight class being abolished in 1997. I not only made the jump to a new weight category, I won Gold and Silver medals at Regional Olympic Trials and qualified for and competed in my second Final U.S. Olympic Team Trials where I maintained a top ten U.S. ranking. I was one of only three elite wrestlers (.09%) who were able to successfully make this giant transition.
My history is proof that I have the capacity to challenge the best the United States has to offer. I am very fortunate to be working with an awesome new coach who is helping me unleash the unstoppable force within me. Bob Anderson is one of the most knowledgeable, respected, and successful Olympic coaches in America. For over a decade he has developed many World and Olympic Team members. Bob’s attention, wisdom, and faith is allowing me to realize my ultimate performance!
I am incredibly proud to be an Olympic Hopeful with greater potential to realize this dream today than ever before in my life. I am fearless in my intention to become an Olympian and represent us all with pride, passion, and power at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. To do this I need your help!
There is a giant burden placed on potential U.S. Olympic athletes. The United States in no way financially supports Olympic hopefuls, as do many other countries. This unfortunate reality makes it necessary for me to seek out private funding if I am to succeed. The only way to become an Olympian is to focus 100% attention on necessary preparation. It is imperative that I sustain my focus throughout the critical upcoming months leading to the May 21-23, 2004 final Olympic Team selection. My request for sponsorship is so that I am able to do that. It is your financial support, or equivalent, that guarantees I have available every necessary resource to capture this Olympic dream!
Today is the time for you to join me in the process of properly preparing for my third, and possibly final, opportunity at making an Olympic team – for us all. THE GOAL: Represent family, friends and country at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece – on the homeland where it all began thousands of years ago. (Your support is 100% deductible.)
I will make the Olympic Team with your support! Go to www.enriquemontiel.com/olympian for complete details.
Relentlessly doing it,
Enrique Montiel
2004 Olympian in the Making
P.S. – THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE SUPPORTED ME IN THE PAST, I THANK YOU! I WOULD NEVER HAVE GOTTEN AS FAR AS I HAVE WITHOUT YOUR HELP AND INVESTMENT IN ME. TODAY IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME OF ALL FOR YOU TO SUPPORT ME. WE ARE ALMOST THERE!
P.P.S. – If you are not familiar with Olympic wrestling, I would like to be your guide and introduce you to a world that has become my magnificent obsession. In 2002, I shot a documentary film of the e-motion that makes this world worth knowing and being a part of. It is a work I am in the process of completing titled: Wrestling with the Devil.
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