There are stories in sports that inspire and touch us deep down that make us emotional, even if you’re not a sports fan.
Adonis Lattimore’s life is one of those stories.
Lattimore was born without a right leg. His left leg ends at his thigh and he only has one finger on his right hand.
Many would crumble against those odds, but not Adonis Lattimore. Instead of self-pity, he worked harder to succeed, and now the high school senior is a state wrestling champion.
Over the weekend, Lattimore won the Virginia class 6 state high school wrestling championship in the 106 lbs division.
“Really if you work hard, you can do anything – even win a state championship without legs,” said Adonis Lattimore to the Virginian-Pilot after his emotional victory.
Adonis should know because, for his entire life, he’s been doing what very few could do.
As a freshman, Lattimore was a regional qualifier. He missed the regionals during his sophomore year and then Covid forced the cancellation of the 2021 tournament during his junior year.
In his final season, he was determined to win it all.
“My goal is to win a state [championship] this year,” he told WTKR-3 in January.
So after compiling a 32-7 record this season, Lattimore, who’s been wrestling since the second grade, accomplished what he set out to do- prove the doubters wrong and become a state champion.
“I’ve been dreaming of this since I knew what it was, and to finally have it happen is just – I don’t know how to explain it,” said Lattimore.
His story is similar to that of former Penn State wrestler, Rohan Murphy.
Murphy was an All-League and All-County wrestler from Long Island who became a three-time letterman for the Nittany Lions. And like Lattimore, Murphy also had no legs.
But the lack of legs didn’t stop either athlete from achieving their goal.
What’s next for the Virginia 106 lbs champ? He wants to finish up his senior year, wrestle in college and continue to strive no matter the challenge or difficulty.
“Believe in yourself, even when it feels like you can’t. Just push yourself through that,” said Lattimore.
