Anthony Robles has his arm raised after winning the NCAA Div. I Wrestling Championships. Larry Slater photo.

TEMPE – President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint former Arizona State University wrestling standout Anthony Robles to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, the White House Office of the Press Secretary announced via press release on Thursday.

Robles is currently an NCAA Wrestling Analyst and Expert at ESPN.  Born with only one leg, Robles won the 2010-2011 NCAA individual wrestling championship in the 125-pound weight class, and was a three-time all-American. 

His awards include NCAA Best Wrestler of the National Tournament in 2011, the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPN ESPYs, and the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award.  He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.  Robles earned his B.A. in business communications in 2011.

Following his graduation, Robles took up a career in motivational speaking, travelling across the country to share his story of perseverance in the face of his handicap.

The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition was formerly the President’s Council on Physical Fitness but was renamed by Obama in 2010 with a new emphasis on nutrition as an element of fitness.

The American government organization aims to “promote, encourage and motivate Americans of all ages to become physically active and participate in sport”.  It is part of the Office of Public Health and Science, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The council is currently made up of co-chars Drew Brees and Dominique Dawes with councilmembers that include Dan Barber, Carl Edwards, Allyson Felix, Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Grant Hill, Billie Jean King, Michelle Kwan, Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Moure, Cornell McClellan, Dr. Stephen McDonough, Chris Paul, Curtis Pride, Donna Richardson Joyner and Dr. Ian Smith.