The San Diego wrestling community is mourning the death of a legendary coach.
Glen Takahashi, 59, died Wednesday at Grossmont Hospital. The Valhalla High School coach was a mentor and inspiration to thousands of students over the years. He coached high school wrestling in the region for 33 years, most of it at El Cajon's Valhalla High School.
Paul Acosta started wrestling under Takahashi when he was 7 years old.
"He knew how to make all of his athletes believe in his potential even if they couldn't see it... even if they weren't successful on the mat, they still learned something about themselves," Acosta said.
Bryan Bone wrestled during his senior year at Valhalla under Takahashi. They went on to coach together and traveled on several national trips with their teams.
"There's a lot of crying, from a lot of people you think are real tough guys, but he's touched so many people," Bone said. "It's definitely going to be a heartfelt loss."
The loss, of course, is most profound for his wife of 33 years, Pam, and their 27-year-old son, Bruce, and 30-year-old daughter, Chelsea.
"We're in a state of shock and have many many feelings," said a tearful Pam Takahashi. "We're feeling sorry for ourselves; sorry for Glen, because he died at such an early age; and we're feeling sorry for his friends and all of the wrestling community."
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Friends and family were gathered at the Takahashi family home in La Mesa Thursday morning.
Takahashi suffered from heart problems for nearly 20 years and had an automatic defibrillator installed at the age of 41. He retired from Valhalla a couple of years ago but was helping his cousin coach at Steele Canyon High school in recent months.
Takahashi led the Valhalla Norsemen to a state championship in 1985 and 12 section titles. He coached nearly 50 masters champions, 37 state medalists and four state champions.
"He loved me, he loved his kids, but his first love, I think, was coaching and being with all those high school students," said his wife, Pam.
The details of funeral services are still be finalized.
