It was then that he decided his dream was to make the Olympics. Eight years later, Askren has accomplished his dream.

Askren is known for his hair, but to really know him you should look at the tattoo on his foot. The tattoo reads "live free and be happy" with a smiley face.

"When I was walking on the mat, I was like, there's 6,000 people here. The biggest competition in United States wrestling. How can you not love to be here. If I could compete under these conditions everyday, I would do it," Askren said.

He knows how to do it right. His win in Las Vegas earned Askren a spot on the US Olympic Wrestling team.

"It just hit me and I was like, Whoa, I just realized the goal that I've been working for the last 8 years. I started bawling and I was just so happy and it just hit me that it was the culmination of everything," Askren said.

"I've seen Ben in tears on a concrete floor. I knew from that moment Ben was going to work and train and make himself better. He did, it's awesome," said Brian Smith, Missouri Wrestling Coach.

Calling Askren different is a dis-service. He had a media gathering when he cut his hair after his first NCAA Championship. He blows kisses to the crowd and his fans are devoted.

"I don't mind giving interviews, a lot of wrestling people are boring. I don't mind speaking my mind, I don't mind smiling. I don't mind having a good time. I think that's something refreshing people want to hear," Askren said.

"When I signed him I told my assistants that this kid is going to be the best thing that happened for the sport of wrestling (because) we've had some personalities win gold medals and they just weren't very outspoken. People get tired of I'm going to win them one at a time. Ben's going to win them all," Coach Smith said.

Askren makes a regular habit of predicting his wins.

"I knew a lot of people that were like I wouldn't want that kid in my program. He's arrogant, he's cocky. I just told people there've been a lot of great people come through; Joe Namath, Muhammed Ali that were very successful people because they were confident," Coach Smith said.

Askren's confidence has lead to a logo.

"We wanted to make something this year. We wanted to make something for the fans out in Vegas and for the (other) people that wanted to support me. So we decided on 'Putting the Chin in China' a Chinese flag with my profile on it," Askren said.

In China, he'll stick his chin out against the best competition in the world.

"Buvaisar Saitiev won six world titles and two Olympic titles and so he's the overwhelming favorite," Askren said.

But according to Ben, an upset is coming. He's not afraid to call his shot in the 2008 games.

"I've been saying it for a long time now, and I still have a tough road in front of me and a lot of people think I'm still crazy, but I'm going to win gold in Beijing," Askren said.

Ben was so confident he'd win the Olympic qualifier he rented out a room across from his hotel in Las Vegas before his matches even started.