At the age of three he was diagnosed with a hearing loss, so to help he was given hearing aids. He learned how to speak, read lips and adapt .Hearing aids only assist so much, sometimes making sounds worse. Every day he strained to hear teachers, coaches, peers, television, music the school bell. The option was adjust to a hearing world to feel “normal” and included. That didn’t always work especially as a young boy. Determined to turn his “disability” into an “ability” and prove himself acceptable he turned to sports. In 1st grade he gave his parents a recreation sign-up sheet while stating I want to do this, I want to wrestle. He had never seen a wrestling match before nor did anyone in his family wrestle. They had concerns of course especially since he can’t wear hearing aids under headgear. He didn’t care for some reason he wanted to wrestle. So at his first practice he took off the hearing aids and put on the headgear proceeding just like all the rest. Drilling, sweating, running everything the other wrestlers did but listen. He couldn’t hear what coach was saying and rarely was in the right position to read lips. He adapted. He learned by doing and seeing but never by listening like everyone else. He never knew what moves were called and couldn’t hear his coaches instructions just did what he felt would work. He would tell his opponent to tap him when it was time to stop but they wouldn’t always remember so they’d get annoyed if he continued. Perceived as being annoying both off and on the mat didn’t help with friendships so he worked even harder at wrestling. This little 8 year old boy would go out on the mat alone, no sounds to instruct or cheer him on just watching for the official’s arm to signal start and feeling his tap to stop. He would win and win a lot. He finally gained notoriety from his peers for something good and started feeling a level of acceptance. Wrestling gave him what he was missing so he continued and never let up. When you can’t hear everything people have no idea what problems it causes, what a social outcast you become. Wrestling became an outlet that gave him confidence and drive but mostly positive recognition. He developed into an honor student known as a good wrestler. It was later discovered that because of another problem with his ears, he would no longer be allowed to play football his other passion and prayed that wrestling would still be an option. It was, so he threw all his energy, all his desire into that sport of one on one competition that test of courage and skill. As high school began he knew it was time to step it up a notch. He had great success as a freshman starting varsity weighing 174 lbs wrestling the 189 slot sometimes when needed, the 215. He finished solid, made it past districts and into regionals placing 5/6. His Dad takes him to Atlantic City for the New Jersey State championship to see what it’s like and came back in aw but a bit intimidated. Next season it’s time to decide how much do I want to commit? He does a little off season wrestling a little extra workout finishes with an even better record but still 5/6 in the regionals not a ticket to AC. That next summer before junior year after many discussions with his coaches and parents he decides he wants more. He wants to be better. He hits some tournaments not doing as well as hoped now unsure of what kind of internal commitment he is willing to give. That July he finds out that Jordan Burroughs will be giving a clinic at a nearby gym. Having been so impressed with Jordan’s Olympic accomplishment and him being from New Jersey, he’s excited to meet him. Arriving on that hot summer day he goes to the mats set up outback in the baking sun talking with the other wrestlers many having been his opponents. Jordan gives opening speeches and has them set up to drill, but it’s so hot the wrestlers are dripping with sweat he has to take off his hearing aids or they’ll short out. He watched, picked a partner he knew following as best he could reading his lips when possible soaking up all the instruction Jordan was offering. Unfortunalty, he couldn’t hear all of the inspirational statements Jordan gave as he walked between the wrestlers watching them. His parents tried to remember Jordan’s lines and statements so they could later share his passion and words of wisdom. At the end of the clinic Jordan directed them to the shade and spoke. He dried out his ears, popped in his hearing aids listening to Jordan’s story of his Olympic journey and commitment to win gold. He became so impressed by his drive, confidence and willingness to share so much of himself. He listened with intent watching that gold medal which he had never seen before, while Jordan spoke and answered questions about his life and its focus. At the end Jordan was nice enough to stay and meet each wrestler taking pictures and signing items. Enamored by the presence of this gold medal Olymiad, he shook his hand posed for some pictures and asked Jordan to sign the Olympic picture he gave out, the back of his phone, and his current high school singlet near the American flag. He left changed went home laid out the three signed items, snapped a shot posting on Facebook “so pumped, met Burroughs and got his picture”. Since that day, his off season continued but with an intensity. More clinics, camps, tournaments, instruction, running and workouts but with a purpose. He slid into his junior year wrestling season remaining focused telling his coach this year he wants to go to states. While only weighing 195 they decide to bump him up to 220 feeling it was his best shot so he knew he would have to work harder and be smarter. Once again he made it through districts into regionals but this time gets a chance to fight for 3rd against a senior who placed in states last year and beat him his last match. He wins his ticket to Atlantic City. As the dust settles he updates his goal stating I want to place, not just be there. Going in as a low seeded wrestler, fighting through wrestle backs he gets on the podium placing 7th.
After watching video of states with
family someone approached me and said “Yeah Robbie told me that after meeting
that Olympic guy he became so inspired.” I asked Robbie about that statement so
he told me “He just gave me the drive and made me realize that with hard work
and training it is possible. He did it and he made me feel like I could too.”
Robbie took the singlet that Jordan signed with him to states. He said if he made
it to the finals he would wear it. When he came home he hung that singlet back
up in his room reminding him to keep working towards the chance to wear it next
season.
His name is Robbie Maggiulli who
wrestles for Emerson/Park Ridge in New Jersey. He is now known as a great kid
that’s smart and a great wrestler with colleges inquiring about his future as a
wrestler/student. Most people have no idea he can’t hear and it’s irrelevant.
That’s what this sport has done for him!
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