Television personality and AZfoothills.com columnist Nadine Toren is scouring the area, finding savvy Valley features, bringing readers “on the scene.”  Every day she’ll introduce you to celebrities, athletes, and give you an inside look into local events and hot spots.  She'll touch on topical issues, and keep AZ fans posted on all the big talkers around town.

Take a good look at this picture. It's clearly pure bliss for this one-legged wonder. 

There are two kinds of people: some who hear the word “no,” and take it; while others demand to prove the world wrong.

One of Arizona State’s prized possessions is that kind of person—a guy who doesn’t let anything stop him from reaching great success.

“When I wrestle I feel very calm.  Everything is in slow motion.  All I see is the guy in front of me and everything else is blacked out,” said Anthony Robles.

We have a local champ living in the Valley.  He’s now a sporty celeb, taking over national television and radio airwaves.

Meet Anthony Robles.

The 22-year-old took home a title he’s been working towards for years—winning the NCAA Championship.  But this is no typical college kid.  Robles was born with one leg, and fought his sweet little heart out supporting himself with his hands and arms.

“I never thought my missing leg would hold me back.  I was still smaller than many of the kids,” said Robles.

Robles was born in California, but calls Arizona home having lived here since freshmen year.  Despite having one leg, young Anthony took up wrestling as a ninth-grader in Mesa.  Yes, at first things came as a struggle, but this big shot had an epiphany sophomore year.

“I saw my friend win top wrestling awards and I wanted to be like that.”

Robles was determined to score best in the state.  Once he won that, his next step was becoming best in the nation…and the wrestler definitely got his way.

He took sixth in the High School State Championships, and after graduating, he sought a higher education scoring an academic scholarship to Arizona State University.  Robles placed fourth in the NCAAs two years ago, but dropped to seventh in 2010.  He became an All-American champ, but it just wasn’t good enough.