ADONIS LATTIMORE

It is agonizingly difficult to look around, and be grateful for what you have, when your focus is squarely on what you don’t.

What you don’t have…

Even if your attention is diverted, and you think too much about what’s lost, and not enough about what’s to be gained, you’re behind the 8-ball.

A deficit position.

Counterproductive, and without any positive purpose.

Makes the trek even tougher.

Like running uphill.

Forever.

Because it’s all mental.

Nearly everything is.

So, the proper headspace is crucial.

Regardless.

Adonis Lattimore learned this and embraced it, at a very young age.

On Saturday February 19, the Landstown, VA. high school senior won a state wrestling championship in the 106-pound weight class.

And–dollars to doughnuts–he doesn’t weigh anywhere near 106 lbs.

A crowning achievement for anyone.

Especially for somebody born with no right leg, a left leg that ends at mid-thigh and only one finger on his right hand.

WHAAAT??

You read it right.

Talk about not taking ‘no’ for an answer.

Or proving that anything is possible, as long as you put your mind to it.

(Why do I hear Kevin Garnett’s 2008 guttural championship bellow still ringing in my ears, circa 2022?]

After a 4–3 semifinal victory, Lattimore won the final, 5–1, at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

He won without legs, and minus four right-hand digits.

Lattimore had been preparing for this moment forever.

The 17-year-old began wrestling in the second grade and kept it goin’.

He became a high school All-American grappler.

“Really if you work hard, you can do anything — even win a state championship without legs,” Lattimore commented to the Virginian Pilot following the tournament.

He was a regional qualifier during his freshman season, failed to qualify the next year, and lost his junior campaign altogether to the pandemic.

He was 32–7 as a senior, culminating in an individual state championship.

Reflecting on his accomplishment, he said, “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.”

I do.

This is a very tough world.

And getting more challenging, across the board, every day.

Those who succeed may be a little lucky, but universally they draw on a deep reservoir of will, perseverance, tenacity, hope, faith and humility.

They don’t–nor will they ever–give up.

’Nuf said?

Adonis Lattimore is my hero.

He should be yours too.

[This piece was written by Mr. Kaplan in June 2022.]