Takedown Report

One leg, unmeasurable courage: An interview with Anthony Robles, subject of ‘Unstoppable’

In the history of NCAA athletics, there may not be a championship as unlikely, extraordinary and inspiring as Anthony Robles’ 2011 individual wrestling national championship at the 125-pound weight class — accomplishing the already remarkable feat with only one leg. 
Robles’ story is captured in the new film “Unstoppable” that plays in the Isis Theatre as part of Aspen Filmfest on Friday at 5 p.m. The film stars Jennifer Lopez as Robles’ mother and Don Cheadle as his wrestling coach and was produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. 
The Aspen Daily News spoke to Robles from his home in Arizona about his life and about the new film. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Aspen Daily News: Let’s take it back to the beginning. Where did you grow up? 
Anthony Robles: I was born in California, but I grew up in Mesa Arizona. We moved out here when I was 14 years-old and that’s when I got introduced to wrestling. I’ve been in Arizona ever since. 
ADN: You eschewed the prosthetic leg when you were very young, like 3 years old. What do you recall about growing up and dealing with your situation? I don’t want to call it a disability because you have never treated it like one. 
Robles: I refer to it as my challenge. That’s what my mom always called it. We tried off-and-on with the prosthetic leg. But for me, I just remember wanting to be like everybody else, to get around as quick as I could, run around with all the other little kids and I felt like the prosthetic leg just weighed me down. I couldn’t keep up with everybody else and I felt like using the crutches was my perfect outlet. They were more comfortable to me. It was more my style. And so my mom was like, “It’s your decision,” and when she gave me that choice I ditched the prosthetic leg and I never looked back on it. 
ADN: Kids are mean. Did you get teased at all? 
Robles: There were instances where kids teased me or said things, especially kids who didn’t have the experience of being around someone different, someone who’s missing a leg. … more at … https://www.aspendailynews.com/arts_and_entertainment/one-leg-unmeasurable-courage-an-interview-with-anthony-robles-subject-of-unstoppable/article_84e94502-7593-11ef-a5a4-8711ff2aa08e.html

October 5, 2024 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | disability, news, poetry