Defying all odds by challenging every obstacle in his way, American inspirational personality and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Zion Clark — born without legs — set eyes on Olympic glory.
Clark, 26, was born without legs due to a rare defect known as Caudal Regression Syndrome, an abnormality in which a segment of the spine and spinal cord doesn’t develop. However, despite the long struggles of life, not for once did the American fighter lose hope and keep on creating a legacy.
Thanks to his never-ending hard work and dedication, Clark went on to make an MMA debut where he recorded three Guinness World Records and became a direct motivation for millions.
“I just like to enjoy myself,” Clark told CNN Sport, explaining what motivates him to keep pushing his limits.
“You know, a lot of people get stuck in stipulations that you have to go work this 9-to-5 job every single day. When in all reality, once you find something that actually makes you happy, you know, the sky’s the limit.”
Wrestling had always been Clark’s inspiration and that is what motivated him to join a gym, which started the interesting journey that turned him into a force to be reckoned with as the 26-year-old went on to compete with fully-abled athletes.
“There’s a saying that once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life becomes easy and I whole-heartedly believe that,” Clark said.
“It’s a sport for everybody. Anybody can join and do it. Anybody can be successful. It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of time. But if you can find peace in it, find joy from being in a combat sport like that, the sky’s the limit.” Clark can also play guitar and piano, making him a multi-talented individual who can do it all.
He now has his eyes on the Paris Olympics for which he has already started dedicating and grueling training schedule to make that dream a reality.—APP
