Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Anthony Robles' incredible accomplishment at NCAA wrestling championships one of greatest in sports history

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

I will admit I'm not the biggest college wrestling fan.

But what happened this past weekend at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia certainly caught my eye.

Arizona State University wrestler Anthony Robles finished off his undefeated season with a 7-1 decision over University of Iowa's Matt McDonough to win the national championship at 125 pounds.

A 36-0 record and a national title is very impressive for anyone to accomplish but Robles definitely isn't your average college wrestling champion.

The Arizona State senior was born without his right leg.

The more I think about this, the more I can't believe it. A person with one leg not only competed at the top of the college wrestling world but proved that he was the best at his weight class. It is one of the most amazing accomplishments I have ever seen happen in sports.

There have been several examples in sports history where people have overcome their disabilities to do incredible things. Two that come to mind are pitcher Jim Abbott and kicker Tom Dempsey.

Abbott, who was born without a right hand, threw a no-hitter in 1993 for the New York Yankees. Dempsey, who was born with half of his right foot, broke the then-NFL record for longest field goal with a 63-yard kick for the New Orleans Saints in 1970.

But I believe Robles' triumph tops them all.

To do what he did in such a tough and competitive sport is truly extraordinary and should be remembered for years to come.

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/03/anthony_robles_incredible_acco.html

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