Inspirational Story: Anthony Robles – Wrestling with One Leg, Winning Life

A Champion Born from Adversity

Anthony Robles was born in 1988 in La Mirada, California, without a right leg. Defying expectations, he refused a prosthetic by age three, believing it slowed him down, and instead built his strength the natural way. His determination set the stage for one of the most remarkable underdog stories in sports.

Early Challenges & Discovery of Wrestling

Growing up in Mesa, Arizona, with unwavering encouragement from his mother, Judy, Robles learned to walk with crutches and keep pace with his siblings. He didn’t start wrestling until eighth grade, and by freshman year of high school, he was ranked last in the city with a 5–8 record. Yet, that was just the beginning.

Anthony Robles during the 2009 NCAA Division 1 National Championship Semi-Finals

High School Breakthrough: From Underdog to Champion

Through relentless training, Robles transformed. In his junior and senior years at Mesa High School, he achieved a staggering 96–0 record, became a two‑time Arizona state champion, and finished his high school career at 129–15. His grip strength, honed from years of crutch use, became his advantage on the mat.

College Journey: Walk-On to NCAA Champion

Undeterred by scepticism from college recruiters, Robles walked on at Arizona State University to stay close to his family. Over time, he became a three‑time All-American, three‑time Pac‑10 champion and closed his college career with a flawless 36–0 season. In 2011, he claimed the NCAA Division I national title in the 125‑lb weight class, defeating reigning champion Matt McDonough and earning Tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler honours.

Anthony Robles celebrates his victory in the NCAA Championship in 2011

Mental Shift: Wrestling for Purpose

After narrowly missing the title in 2010, Robles received heartfelt letters from kids inspired by his story. That shifted his mindset: from striving to prove critics wrong to using his platform for positive impact. Adopting a mindset focused on giving his all, not focusing on the outcome, helped him dominate in 2011.

Anthony Robles' Inspirational Story is More Than Just Wrestling, and There is Life Beyond the Mat

Post-championship, Robles broke multiple Guinness World Records for pull-ups, became a high school coach at his alma mater, and began speaking nationwide as a motivational speaker. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012 and awarded the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards (ESPYs), among numerous other honours.

The Biopic: ‘Unstoppable’

Robles’s inspirational story was brought to the screen with the 2024 film Unstoppable, starring Jharrel Jerome as Anthony and Jennifer Lopez as his mother. The movie, produced by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and debuted on Prime Video in January 2025. Robles served as producer and stunt double, ensuring authenticity. The film highlights not only his athletic journey but also his emotional struggles, including his relationship with his stepfather, and the belief and strength provided by his mother.

A Legacy of Resilience

Anthony Robles' inspirational story proves that limitations are only as powerful as your mindset. Wrestling with one leg, he became an NCAA champion, speaker, coach, and symbol of what perseverance, mental strength, and self-belief can achieve. Robles’s life story continues to shape lives, reminding us all that challenges can be transformed into triumph.