NO HOLDS BARRED

One-Legged High School National Champion Wrestler on ESPN2's “Cold Pizza” by John Fuller

Tomorrow morning (Tues., May 16), Anthony Robles, a wrestler from Mesa, Ariz. with one leg, will appear on ESPN2's Cold Pizza at 11:34 a.m. Eastern Time. Cold Pizza replays right after the live airing as well, so if you miss him the first time around, he will be on again at 1:34 p.m. Eastern Time.

If you are not aware of Anthony, here is his amazing story:

Born with just one leg, Robles capped off an amazing career by winning the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) national title at 112 lbs. with a 9-1 victory in the finals. The NHSCA invites only seniors in high school who won state titles to its meet, meaning Robles dominated a field of only state champions.

The win also finished off a perfect 53-0 senior season for him. For his four-year career, he posted a record of 131-15 and won two Arizona state titles. He was undefeated last year as well.

"I think God gave me a gift by only giving me one leg," Robles said after winning his national title. "Other people may not see it that way, but I do."

Robles became the first disabled wrestler to win a title at the NHSCA national championships. Since winning the title, he has thrown out the first pitch at a Diamondbacks-Giants game, where Barry Bonds made an effort to congratulate him on his accomplishment. Hopefully, Anthony will be nominated for a 2006 ESPY Award for Best Disabled Athlete later this summer.

He has received scholarship offers from numerous colleges to wrestle, and has narrowed his choices down to Arizona State and Drexel Univ. In his spare time, Anthony enjoys playing the guitar and video games.