All About Anthony Robles, the Wrestling Champion Born with One Leg Who InspiredUnstoppable(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

(Left-right:) Anthony Robles; Jharrel Jerome and Jennifer Lopez in ‘Unstoppable’.Photo:Andrew Toth/Getty; Amazon MGM Studios

Andrew Toth/Getty; Amazon MGM Studios

Anthony Robleshas the kind of life that demands a Hollywood biopic. The story of how he wrestled his way to a 2011 NCAA championship in the 125-lb. weight class — despite being born with only one leg — is now the adaptation of his 2013 memoirUnstoppable(streaming on Prime Video), starringJharrel Jeromeas Robles andJennifer Lopezas his mother Judy.

He and his family “were grateful for how much care and attention that everyone showed,” he adds, from director William Goldenberg “all the way to Jharell and Jennifer … it’s one thing for them to be excited about telling our story, but they really just cared about us as people.”

(Left-right:) Anthony Robles, Judy Robles, Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome in 2024.an West/PA Images via Getty

an West/PA Images via Getty

How did Robles go from humble beginnings in Mesa, Arizona to NCAA champion to Hollywood biopic subject? It all started when a cousin introduced him to the sport, he recalls. “What drew me to wrestling, the way I fell in love with it is that one-on-one aspect of it. I loved how it gave me the opportunity to really go out there, and I couldn’t hide behind anybody. There was nobody that would sub in for me if I was getting thrown around. It was just me.”

Born with no right leg and a partial hipbone (the cause of his condition remains unknown), Robles says he already felt “on my own” outside the ring. “It felt like everyone was just looking down at me, and everyone was just feeling sorry for me for what I didn’t have.” Training as a high school wrestler empowered him: “It was like, ‘No, don’t feel sorry for me, because this is what I can do.’”

Robles redshirted as a freshman at Arizona State University after none of his top college choices recruited him. As he worked his way from All-American Honors to finishing seventh in the 125-lb. weight class to an undefeated streak in his final year, Robles and his four half-siblings also endured a difficult relationship with their mother’s abusive husband.

Jharrel Jerome as Anthony Robles in ‘Unstoppable’.Amazon MGM Studios

Amazon MGM Studios

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That’s why, instead of pursuing the Olympics or a pro wrestling career, Robles quit and “never looked back,” he says. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my mom, without those people in my life. And I’m just trying to be that person for others in their lives now. If they hear this story, and if it can help them overcome one day in their life, one bad day, one opponent, then I accomplished my goal.”

Soon after graduating, he became a full-time motivational speaker for the Washington Speakers Bureau, and in 2014 served on PresidentBarack Obama’s Fitness Council. “That was an honor,” Robles says. “It was very humbling. And it just goes to show people, and show me, where hard work is going to get you. You never know what’s around the next corner.”

Laura Robles (left), Anthony Robles and son Abel in 2024.Anthony Robles/Instagram

Anthony Robles/Instagram

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Now, in addition to motivational speaking and coaching high school wrestling, he faces a new challenge: being dad to 2-year-old Abel, whom he shares with his wife, Laura. “It’s a blessing to be a dad,” he tells PEOPLE. “I want to be that dad that I wanted growing up for him, and just be his number one fan like my mom was for me.”

Hopefully his son “wrestles one day,” he adds. “Fingers crossed!”

Unstoppableis now streaming on Prime Video.

source: people.com