National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Latino American Wrestling Experience

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LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM | 41 Anthony Robles is the most recent example of a Latino whose national record on the mat is breathtaking. He joins an elite group of Arizona State University Latino wrestlers that includes Eddie Urbano, Eric Larkin, Cain Velasquez, and others. Robles established a legacy at Arizona State University which will long be remembered. A California-born wrestler, Robles wrestled at Mesa High School in Arizona where he won two state championships after finishing sixth as a sophomore. A two-year captain for his team, his record was 48-0 in each of his last two seasons and he finished his career with a 129-15 record, winning the 2006 High School Senior Nationals. Redshirted his first year as a Sun Devil, Anthony placed sixth in the 55 kg freestyle at the FILA Junior National Championships. Anthony's first year on the mat at ASU would be the envy of any collegiate wrestler as he was consistently ranked among the top 20 wrestlers at 125 lbs. Leaving a wake-up call to wrestlers' across the nation, Anthony consistently bested more experienced competitors ranked above him, falling one win short of All-America status at the NCAA Championships. It was no surprise to the wrestling world that in his second season in college, Robles made it all the way to the NCAA semi-finals, earning fourth place and a season record of 29-8. More importantly, he sent many of the best wrestlers in his division into the losers' column as he continued to improve on the mat. As a junior, Anthony went 32-4, but with high expectations going into nationals, he ran into stiff competition before ending up with a seventh-place finish. However, his consistent characteristic of improving his style and technique again and again, from his freshman year in high school to the campus of ASU, never waivered. Few fans were surprised, therefore, when he came blasting onto the ring as a senior at ASU in 2011. Finding every possible way to win against wrestlers in this very competitive weight division of 125 pounds, Robles conquered everyone who dared get on the same mat with him. Expectations were high for the undefeated and top- ranked Robles heading into the NCAA Championships. This time he met those expectations, fighting his way through five matches and emerging the clear victor. With the NCAA Championship in 2011, Roble's career record as a three time All-American was 122-23. And in case you were never fortunate enough to see this superior athlete wrestle during his career, Anthony Robles was born with one leg. He was honored by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame with its Medal of Courage in 2012. ANTHONY ROBLES Wrestled 2009-2011 Arizona State University 125lbs

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