Odeen Domingo
The Arizona Republic
One unwanted word branded Anthony Robles when he was born.
It’s a word that bothers him still.
Disability.
The word makes him feel like he’s restricted, confined to a prison with no athletic realm he can cross. As if no matter how hard he tries, how much he puts his heart and mind into something, he can’t do it. All because he was born with one leg.
But Robles, who just graduated from Mesa High, knows he’s not restricted to anything. He grew up the same as his sister and three brothers, who are considered normal. When they played games, he played alongside them. When others ran past him playing football, he caught up by hopping. And when he tried wrestling, he was unstoppable.
Over the past two years, Robles compiled a 96-0 record, helping his team win the Class 5A state championship this past season. He won the state championship in the 103-pound division as a junior and the 112-pound division as a senior. Since winning the 112-pound division in the national high school wrestling tournament in late March, Robles’ story has gone national. He’s done morning TV shows and was a special guest at a few entertainment and sporting events.
Last week, ESPN announced that Robles is an ESPY award nominee for Best Male Athlete with a Disability.
Robles, who earned a scholarship to wrestle at Arizona State University, said he feels honored just to be nominated. But that one word bothers him still.
“When I first heard I was being considered for a nomination, the disability part really stuck out to me, “he said. “I really don’t think I have one. But I talked to my parents, and they said the award is not focused on that (a physical disability). It’s about overcoming an obstacle.”
Online voting will continue until July 16 when the show airs live on ESPN. The award would be a nice early birthday present for Robles, who turns 18 four days after the awards show. ESPN’s ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) Awards is the Oscars of the sports world, complete with red carpet, celebrities and the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
And Robles will be a part of it all, in a black suit over a black and white pinstriped dress shirt with his mother, Judy, as his date.
“I’m excited to get to meet all these people, “said Robles, who would most like to meet awards show host and legendary cyclist Lance Armstrong and any Oakland Raiders football player.
But Robles is still defiant about the word “disability.”
“It’s kind of even. I can do stuff others can’t, and there are things others can do that I can’t do, “Robles said. “So it evens out.”
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