Two weekends ago March Madness started with the best of the best in NCAA Basketball. Needless to say, the games were thrilling and true heroes emerged. But, that same weekend in Philadelphia, the NCAA Wrestling Tournament took place. Oh, the crowd was much smaller but the fans had just as many thrills seeing the best wrestlers in the college ranks compete.
I grew up with high school and collegiate wrestling and I love it! No, I didn't get to wrestle because girls were not allowed to such a thing! My brothers, the boys, got to compete and true competitors they were. Greg and Conrad wrestled at Page High School in Greensboro, NC and then wrestled at NC State University. Greg continued to compete for years with Athletes in Action and volunteered with the NC State team until just a few years ago. Our teenage years revolved around tournaments - me as a mere spectator.
At the NCAA tournament this year, a truly authentic athlete was recognized for years of intense training and tenacity. Anthony Robles, a young man, born with one leg won the 125 pound weight class. Anthony said in many interviews that his mom told him that God made his special and he has proved it every day of his life.
Imagine a guy with one leg wrestling to win a national championship with no money involved. No signed endorsement contracts. No entourage. No private planes. No conceit. No need for CBA with the owners. No need to want a piece of the financial pie from television contracts. Anthony wrestled for the love of the game and to be named the best in the USA in his weight class on a Saturday night in Philadephia. Anthony Robles -a true authentic athlete.
To read further about Anthony: Click Here
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