"This has been an amazing experience," Robles said. "Whether I won or lost, I knew I was experiencing something that not many people got to do. To be nominated was just an honor itself, and I am proud that I could represent my sport at this event."
High school football player Bobby Martin, who was born with a condition called "congenital amputation" which left him with no legs, captured the award at the Kodak Theatre.
Anthony Robles and Terrell Owens"Some people say I am an inspiration, but I look at those other athletes in my category and say the same about them," Robles said.
ESPY Award winners are determined by online fan voting, which took place at www.espys.tv . Nominees are selected by a panel of ESPN staff and esteemed journalists.
Robles' nomination marked the sixth consecutive year that a wrestler has been nominated for an ESPY Award.
Throughout the week's events, Robles was paraded around Los Angeles and Hollywood hot spots with some of the most famous athletes in the world, including NBA Finals MVP Dwayne Wade, as well as former Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady. He also visited the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he met with Jimmy Kimmel, an Arizona State graduate, and Dwayne Wade.
"Meeting everyone was really cool. It was neat that a lot of the athletes said they had heard about me or read about me. I really didn't expect that," Robles said.
Life will now calm for Robles, as he will wrestle at Arizona State Univ., a college wrestling powerhouse. He plans to study Business and aspires to someday become a sports agent or compete in mixed martial arts.
Anthony Robles and Stuart ScottAs a junior, Robles placed second in the NHSCA national championships for juniors.
The win also finished off a perfect 53-0 senior season for him. For his four-year career, Robles posted a record of 131-15 and won two Arizona high school state titles for Mesa High School. He was also undefeated as a junior. Amazingly, Anthony never wrestled until his family moved from just outside of Los Angeles to Mesa before his freshman year.
"I think God gave me a gift by only giving me one leg," Robles said after winning his national title. "Other people may not see it that way, but I do."
The ESPY Awards, created by ESPN in 1993, were held at famous the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif. The show will be televised by ESPN on Sunday, July 16.
Past wrestling ESPY winners include Kyle Maynard in 2004 for "Best Athlete with a Disability," Cael Sanderson in 2002 for "Best Male College Athlete" and Rulon Gardner in 2001 for "Male USA Olympic Athlete."
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