At four months old, Hasaan Hawthorne had both legs amputated at the knees, seeming to end any athletic ambitions.
But the Pelham High School senior used it to his advantage on the wrestling mat, capping off an undefeated season (37-0) with an Alabama state title over the weekend.
Hawthorne, who finished third last year, defeated Southside-Gadsden’s Landon Thompson to take the state crown.
“It’s tough because (Hawthorne) wrestles like that all the time and we don’t get to see it,” Southside coach Kyle Routon told AL.com. “He’s so long and would be about 6-3 or 6-4 and we were just trying to protect our lead leg because his arms are so long. His reach was a huge difference, I mean the only way you can attack him is by dragging or with a front leg lock. He’s just so tough.”
Hawthorne’s wrestling career appears to be far from over.
“I plan to go to nationals and then in college,” he said, “but I don’t know where yet.”
Comments