Rohan Murphy is a power lifter that moves quickly throughout Gold’s Gym in Long Island. He springs in between weight equipment pressing 300 pounds and incorporating sets of upper body exercises into his routine without the other members even blinking an eye. Rohan is incredibly fast for someone without any legs. This is due to a serious birth defect that left both of his legs impaired.“My deformity left both of my legs backward with the kneecaps on the opposite side of my body,” states the 28-year-old athlete. When Murphy was just 4 years old, he had them amputated. He gets around the gym with the aid of a wheelchair, and the help of a spotter by traveling around on what’s left of his legs. He’s dedicated to working out approximately four to five times a week at Islip, L.I. gym. Murphy’s at the gym so often that the other gym members are no longer shocked to see a double amputee putting forth a personal best of benching 350 pounds. He takes his workouts seriously and is training to compete as a power lifter in the 2016 Paralympics that will be held in Rio. Keeping a close eye on the London 2012 Paralympics, Murphy works diligently toward his goal of obtaining a gold medal in power lifting come the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Motivational speaking keeps him busy, and it was the primary reason he was unable to compete in this year’s London Games. He’s spending his days inspiring kids from grade schools and colleges all over the United States and teaching them what it takes to succeed in life.
Most of his childhood was spent as a spectator on the sidelines where he found a hunger for athletics. In eighth grade, a gym teacher totally changed his life forever by introducing Rohan to the sport of wrestling. The coach started Murphy off as a team manager, but he thought he would be better suited on the mat due to his amazing upper body strength. A guidance counselor recommended a local community college for Murphy. This thoughtful but offending advice was ignored, and Rohen chose to wrestle for Penn State. Penn State’s head wrestling coach reminisces about the day Rohen first came into his office. “I thought he was coming to help the team out,” Sunderland said. “When he stated his intentions were to wrestle, and he showed me what he could do, I was amazed.” Rohan gained admiration and respect from his teammates with his dedication and zealous workout regimen. He never accepted a modified training plan and instead chose to perform the same exercises as his training buddies. When the team had to run up a ski slope laden with twigs, rocks and other debris, Murphy utilized his hands and upper body strength to crawl up the mountain. He majored in Kinesiology and after college he felt a yearning for the competition that he found on the wrestling mat. He found comfort with the idea to compete in the 2016 Paralympics. “Most people have formed an opinion that I’m a gym rat because I’m always there lifting,” Murphy stated. “I think it’s something that is necessary, so I can succeed at power lifting, and I can’t wait for 2016.”
Written By: Paige Carson writes for A Forever Recovery to help promote healthy living. Follow A Forever Recovery’s Twitter Page and A Forever Recovery LinkedIn.
( Paige Carson / Article ).
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