The college sports story of the weekend had nothing to do with the NCAA basketball tournament and everything to do with Anthony Robles, the Arizona State University wrestler who defeated reigning champ Matt McDonough from Iowa State on Saturday to become national champion in the 125-pound weight class.
A national championship is an impressive achievement for any athlete, but it's an awe-inspiring achievement by Robles, who was born with one leg.
Clearly one of the keys to Robles' athletic success is his attitude and determination. I grew up like a normal kid, Robles told NCAA.com. Yeah I was missing my leg, but that wasn't going to stop me from doing anything I wanted to do.
Arizona State's Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, reacts to defeating Iowa's Matt McDonough for the 125-pound title during the NCAA wrestling finals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday.The oldest of four, Robles says his parents played an enormous role in making him feel he had no limits. My parents really encouraged me. Whatever I wanted to do, my parents were right there behind me pushing me on.
Robles became interested in wrestling when his older cousin, a high school wrestler, would take him to practices in the summer. One day his cousin's coach asked him to jump in because one of the smaller guys on the team needed a training partner. I've been in love with the sport ever since, Robles said.
The rest, as they say, is history. Robles went from being a self-described not very good wrestler to becoming a three-time All-American and one of the top-ranked college wrestlers in the country. Robles not only inspires his teammates and his coach, he has also inspired thousands of people across the country.
Full story: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/21/one-legged-asu-wrestler-anthony-robles-claims-ncaa-championship/
A national championship is an impressive achievement for any athlete, but it's an awe-inspiring achievement by Robles, who was born with one leg.
Clearly one of the keys to Robles' athletic success is his attitude and determination. I grew up like a normal kid, Robles told NCAA.com. Yeah I was missing my leg, but that wasn't going to stop me from doing anything I wanted to do.
Arizona State's Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg, reacts to defeating Iowa's Matt McDonough for the 125-pound title during the NCAA wrestling finals at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Saturday.The oldest of four, Robles says his parents played an enormous role in making him feel he had no limits. My parents really encouraged me. Whatever I wanted to do, my parents were right there behind me pushing me on.
Robles became interested in wrestling when his older cousin, a high school wrestler, would take him to practices in the summer. One day his cousin's coach asked him to jump in because one of the smaller guys on the team needed a training partner. I've been in love with the sport ever since, Robles said.
The rest, as they say, is history. Robles went from being a self-described not very good wrestler to becoming a three-time All-American and one of the top-ranked college wrestlers in the country. Robles not only inspires his teammates and his coach, he has also inspired thousands of people across the country.
Full story: http://www.aolnews.com/2011/03/21/one-legged-asu-wrestler-anthony-robles-claims-ncaa-championship/
