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Robles finished seventh last year at the NCAA championships and fourth two years ago. This year, he dedicated himself to winning the title and went 36-0 for an undefeated season. The 17,099 people in the stadium gave Robles a standing ovation after the win.
What one has to love about the Anthony Robles story is that it goes beyond what we've seen in standard black athletic achievements. Michael Jordan, LeBron James and other black athletes are fascinating to watch, but no story compares with Robles'. Anthony is unique for two reasons, one being obvious and the other being not-so-obvious; winning the title with one leg is enough to grab a headline, but what's equally interesting is that Robles represents a growing number of African-American men who are seeking to excel in sports outside of basketball and football.
Black males love to play sports, and it's okay to do so, as long as we continue to teach the importance of balancing athletic achievement with our academic endeavors. It makes no sense to be a genius on the basketball court and a dunce in the classroom. Additionally, by spreading into other sports such as tennis, golf, wrestling, etc., we can avoid the dangers of football and the talent bottleneck of basketball. Everyone can't be the next Carmelo Anthony, but there's plenty of room for the next Serena Williams.
What's most fascinating about Anthony's achievement is that he serves as a reminder to all of us that we are only limited by our desire when it comes to achieving our goals. By being committed to your purpose and possessing a willingness to sacrifice in order to get ahead, there is almost nothing you can't do. Now that Anthony has conquered the feat of a lifetime, I sincerely hope he can give a thousand speeches and cash in on his success. Way to go Anthony, you've inspired us all.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. To follow Dr. Boyce on Facebook, please click here. 
Comments: (14)
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By: laroywatermelon on 3/20/2011 7:50AM
Why does race always have to be an issue with you Watkins. I watched this young man wrestle on TV and he is one hell of an athlete. White, black or purple. By the way, his mama is white. Do you have a problem with that, Watkins?
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By: Greg D. on 3/20/2011 9:12AM
His mama being white is just one more problem he had to overcome. Amazing young man!
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By: Matt on 3/20/2011 12:59PM
Very stupid comments are not allowed on Blacks Voices however, taken into account both you laroy and this, greg are both socially inbreeded, retarded white devieates explain your comments.
Duces
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By: Gichaya on 3/22/2011 7:00PM
What difference does it make that his mom is white? His achievements are what this article is about. If you didn't know that his mom was white all you would see is a young black man who is missing a limb. Just congratulate him, for he did an excellent job.
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By: SAY WHAT! on 3/21/2011 9:38AM
Some writing techniques are nothing more than pulpit parroting peacocks spreading their feathers to attract the lesser minded.
Howard Stern has been doing this for years and knows a viewer with a comment equals readership and advertisement points.
Grabbing one with what should be an inspirational story, then weaving biased propoganda into it to promote an alterior agenda is tasteless and deceitful at best.
Some are one bandana away from making their own
(c)rap video or standing in front of a bathroom mirror taking photos to send their young, impressionable fans.
Way to go jelly roll
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By: mr-stephen1 on 3/20/2011 8:31PM
It would be nice if he could make a quess appaerance on the WWE, Wrestlemania, next month and have the rock and the undertaker greet him. He is a Inspiration to all. Especially the children of the world and especiaaly here in the united state.So why not have him on the show so the world can honor this youngman for his achivements in sports with one legs like the women with no arms and legges. That raised her onw family awhile back people. So contact the WWE and lets make this happened for him. Black companies should be lining up to have this youngmen endorse their product! A message to the wise!
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By: bob on 3/20/2011 2:23PM
Cudos to robles great Job! Realize though people, wrestling the sport to do if you are at loss of a limb. one is not used to wrestling a one legged man while the other man is training with men with all limbs. The man without the leg,glutes is a much bigger man (at least 30 pounds) If you watched the match you would see that if a man with two leg was in a side position searching for the ball and chain the way robles was he would have been reversed on but because of no right leg his opponent had nothing to grab. My point being if Robles opponent had practiced with robles afor a couple of months it might have had a different outcome.
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By: Marie J. on 3/20/2011 5:06PM
Race is always an issue with Dr. Watkins because he's writing for BLACK VOICES. The idea of BV is to write about and discuss issues relevant to African Americans, because other media outlets seem uninterested in our concerns, accomplishments or woes. Laroywatermelon, you should know this. Race matters to us because race matters to others. Whites were first to play the race card when they actually put in the constitution of the US that if a person has one drop of African/Negro blood in their ancestry, they are to be considered Negro/Black. This article and others like it are designed to show positive accomplishments of African Americans. If I were you, laroywatermelon, I wouldn't read BV since Dr. Watkins efforts seem to cause you frustration.
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By: Craig C. Garrison on 3/20/2011 9:32PM
THANK YOU, Dr. WATKINS, for this article. I'm not a follower of wrestling, so I otherwise would have missed this event in BLACK HISTORY, WRESTLING HISTORY, and AMERICAN HISTORY!!!
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By: Eva on 3/21/2011 1:01AM
Wonderful story!! Way to go hermanito LATINO!! Latinos come in many colors and they all make us proud!! Robles is a spanish last name.
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