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Kyle Maynard of Georgia, an inspiring young wrestler who has overcome a challenging physical disorder and has received considerable national recognition, will appear on ABC’s 20/20 news program on Friday, September 23 and also on Oprah on Monday, October 3. Maynard is also scheduled to appear on ABC’s Good Morning America, with the date still to be finalized.
Maynard will be speaking of his ability to overcome his physical disorder as well as promoting his book No Excuses, which will be available in bookstores nationwide on Friday, September 23.
Kyle was born on March 24, 1986 with a rare disorder called “Congenital Amputation,” leaving him with three joints, a neck and two shoulders. He has no elbows or knees. He measures just over two feet tall, and weighs approximately 103 pounds.
Despite these physical challenges, Maynard has become a successful amateur wrestler, and has inspired thousands of people across the nation with his courage and spirit for living.
On the mats, Maynard became a successful high school wrestler in Georgia, posting a 35-16 record and competing in the 2004 Georgia High School Championships, where he had an impressive 3-2 record. He competed at the NHSCA National Wrestling Championships, and had a tremendous performance, falling just short of All-American status.
Maynard is currently a freshman at the University of Georgia, where he is continuing his wrestling career on the club team that participates in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA).
In 2004, Maynard was awarded the Medal of Courage from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
The Medal of Courage is presented annually to a wrestler or former wrestler who has overcome what appear to be insurmountable challenges, which may be physical, mental or other handicaps that make their achievements all the more uplifting.
He is a tremendous student, earning a 3.7 GPA while being very active in many clubs and school activities. Along with wrestling, he has participated in swimming, baseball, street hockey and football, all with the aid of prosthesis. He uses his tremendous strength to his advantage in wrestling, and has developed a number of successful wrestling moves that allow him to make the most use of his low center of gravity and power.
Maynard also received an ESPY award in 2004, winning the Best Athlete with a Disability Award. He has been honored by the Georgia chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, as well as the Georgia State Wrestling Hall of Fame. He received the President’s Award for Courage from the Humanitarian Hall of Fame.
Maynard has become a sought-after public speaker, sharing his inspiring story with people all across the nation. It is Maynard’s attitude that has captivated the public, and allows him an opportunity to explain his love for wrestling and for life.
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