 |
|||||||||||
|
|||||||||||
|
March 22nd, 2011
02:23 PM ET
Top wrestler: Others may see disability – I don'tIn the Human Factor, Dr. Sanjay Gupta introduces you to survivors who have overcome tremendous odds. Confronting a life obstacle – injury, illness or other hardship – they tapped their inner strength and found resilience they didn’t know they possessed. Today, meet Anthony Robles of Arizona State University. On Saturday night reached the pinnacle of college wrestling by winning the NCAA title in the 125-pound weight class. Hear from him how he was able to win despite being born without his right leg and hip bone. I was born without a right leg, but that has never stopped me. Many My parents raised me just like my siblings. My siblings and friends treated me as I was no different. I played sports and didn't let being born this way affect how I lived my life. My parents taught me that if I wanted to do something, I could set my mind to it and go do it. I have carried that way of living throughout my life and throughout my career. Because of this, I became a national champion. Throughout my life, I have learned that no matter what obstacles I have encountered, I push myself to find a way to overcome. Other people said I couldn't do the same things as others and, in some ways, they are right. But that never stopped me in the past and it won't stop me in the future. During my time as a wrestler in high school and college, I wanted no special treatment, and coaches and teammates listened. I have climbed Piestewa Peak in Phoenix, using my crutches to reach 1,190 feet of elevation. I have completed an 8-minute mile on the track. I have continued to work hard to be the best and I reached my goal by winning the national title and going undefeated at 125 pounds this season. Now that I am moving on from wrestling on the mat, I hope that I can help others by using my story to motivate them to continue to wrestle their obstacles and come out on top, just as I did. I want people to know that no matter what others say and what others think, every person has a chance to overcome obstacles by staying focused on your goals and on the positives and kicking the negativity of others aside. People often ask me if I was given the chance to change anything about me and I always tell them no. God made me this way and He did so for a reason. I really feel that He made me this way so that I can be an example to others to show what determination and hard work can accomplish. Everything that I have gone through, everything I have accomplished and every obstacle I have overcome, all have made me the way I am today and I wouldn't change that for anything. I came into my senior season wanting to be unstoppable and I achieved my goal. Now, I hope I can help others do the same. Watch American Morning weekdays 6am to 9am ET. For the latest from American Morning click here. |
  About this blog
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. Recent Comments
 |
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertise with us | About us | Help | Advertising Practices
It is a great accomplishment, but being short one leg (I am not trying to be mean here) allows him to carry a lot more upper body strength than the other members of he weight class. Not all one legged wrestlers win championships, but the additional upper body strength cannot hurt.
I would disagree with you. You are comparing him to someone who is in a wheelchair. I am sure when he is not wrestling he walks with a Prosthetic leg and that does not increase upper body strength. Also, wrestling is not all upper body strength, you use your legs quite a bit and to be missing one make what this young man did extremely amazing.
i think Tom is talking about his actual weight, not the strength he has gained from having only one leg. lets say each leg weighs 30lbs for a two legged 125lb person. Now the person that only has one leg can now gain 30lbs in muscle in their upper body compared to the two legged person. not sure if it is an actual advantage over having both legs, but is an interesting point.
Missing a leg is a disadvantage. If you ever wrestled in you entire life or just use your brain, you would know this.
@ Tom I tend to agree with you. I think this you man who wrestles is a champion and true brave person. Wrestling less a leg is a huge weight advantage. The 15-35 pound lower weight class with stronger upper body strength dose give him the advantage.
The weight class question is interesting indeed. It's possible that they add to his actual weighed total, though. I know that doctors add a calculated amount of weight in the case of amputees, in order to gauge what their "normal" weight would be. On the other hand, it's hard to imagine that the wrestling rules would have foreseen this. >:-)
For further reading on success in wrestling with a disability, look for the guy in Ohio... can't think of his name but google some of these details... he has severely shortened arms and legs but wrestles to championship levels. He and Anthony both are really cool!
I did wrestle in high school and college and Tom is absolutely correct. While missing a leg has obvious disadvantages, this guy has never known different and as he says, he doesn't see it as a disadvantage. Yet a 125 lb wrestler who is 125lb with only one leg WILL be stronger than every other wrestler in his class. All the same though, that's an amazing journey to be the national champ while missing an entire limb. This guy is now one of my heroes.
I've heard this argument several times over the last few days and it doesn't get any less stupid the more times I hear it. The guy is missing a leg. Yes that probably means he has more mass in his upper body relative to other wrestlers, but he's missing a leg! Wrestling is a sport that is based on balance, agility and leverage as much, if not more so, than strength. Only having one leg drastically reduces the natural capability in those areas. But I'm sure that extra few pounds in the torso more than makes up right? Oh did I mention, he's missing a leg!
Anthony you are everything that young people should aspire to be. I have a very talented son who could have probably won his state division. He says he wants it, but his actions say otherwise. I wish he had your drive but mostly the vision and goal setting I'm sure you went through. You will be an asset to any team you associate with, whether it be in buisiness or sports or another proffession.
Cindy from Portland, OR
I think his opponent took it easy on him.
Having one leg simply means one less limb for opponents to grapple against. This kid has an unfair advantage and shouldn't have been allowed to compete.
You have no brain and therefore should not be allowed to post.
So by your logic a quadruple amputee is really ahead of the curve. Anone who has wrestled knows the mportance of two good legs - As you are no doubt well aware once once of Robles legs is in the air he is down where a full limbed wrestler has options.
You are no better than a basketball player discussing this sport.
@ Jake , you are correct, less leg log ability for his opponents. I have nothing but respect for the brave wrestler but he actually has the advantage. Deaf and blind wrestlers weigh the same as their hearing and seeing opponents and can but are able to concentrate better than hearing and sight enhanced wrestlers...
If you take the time to read the article AND watch the video, you would then know that Anthony does NOT use a prosthetic.
@ Mazik a prosthetic would be in the way and useless. He should wrestle in a weight class approx 25 lbs heavy than he actually is ..
@ Jason ...you are the most correct....
I would agree that GOD has certainly granted you the inner abilities to have the level of courage,perseverance and persistance to live a perfectly fulfilling life. We commend you.
Yep, the same graceful GOD that decided he didn't need two legs.
To this person "Ugh!," You are just as bad as the religion pushers, pushing YOUR lack-of-religion beliefs on "God Granted Grace" here. Why can't you just respectfully disagree, if you disagree with religion? Your comment is very inappropriate and disrespectful toward people who are born with a different body but don't want to be seen as different.
I watched this match with my 2 high school wrestlers ~ actually missing a leg was an advantage for him ~ all those moves you drill over and over become ingrained in your muscle memory ~ the other guy on many moves would have grabbed a leg – but there wasn't one there ~ he had to totally change his moves/style of wrestling. It was however, a great match and the young man deserves the victory – it inspired my 2 to work even harder during the off season. And no, he did not use crutches to get to the mat – and yes, he has more upper body strength due to the missing leg – he weighs in like the rest – in singlet or skivvies.
Why can't people just admire this incredible feat by a brave young man? Anyone who says having one leg is an advantage is just completely ignorant. What would happen if you tried to do what this guy did? I admire Anthony for his incredible feat and demeaning it is simply wrong.
What he gains in upper body weight he loses in lower body leverage. A champion is a champion.
Yes! I totally agree. A champion is a champion.
this is inspiring
he is my hero
all of us in arizona are proud of this young man.he is an inspiration to all of us.i cant believe all the negative response to this fine young man.
As many people have argued, having one leg on the wrestling mat does give a certain advantage. However, a former wrestler myself, I wouldn't give up a body part just to win a match. I don't think that Anthony would either. He's just making the best out of his situation; and he just so happens to have one leg missing. Anyone who wins the NCAA championship wrestling and go undefeated deserves to be commended. Have you ever known someone who has a "bad knee" and therefore doesn't get off the couch? I have. I have been that person, too. Please remember that not all disabilities are as easily recognizable as missing a leg, though. http://braininjurytn.org