Growing Up: Tony grew up in San Jose, CA. Born in 1977 July 5. One interesting fact concerning his birth, was he only weighted 2 ½ lbs. and spent the first month in half in an incubator. His parents Lupe and Yolanda commented on how Tony was so small that he could fit in a shoe box. Although, being extremely tiny at birth he was blessed with his mother’s huge heart. He grew up with his younger siblings Jason, Julian, and Amirah.
Sports History: Although, the premature birth Tony would prove himself to be an athlete with a huge heart that would eventually take him to the top of his sport. He began his athletic journey joining his father in karate when he was just five years old and later moved to play baseball for one season at age nine, and then got involved in wrestling a year later. He also started playing flag football and soon after was introduced to tackle football and so began his two sport career. It was football which, he loved and wrestling which, he excelled to championship status. After 11 years of football Tony would finish his career in his junior year and fully dedicate himself to the sport of wrestling.
Wrestling Accomplishments: NJCAA National qualifier, NJCAA Regional Champion, 1996 HS National Champion, 1996 Reno Tournament of Champion Outstanding Wrestler, 1995 CA State Champion, 3x CA state place winner, 4x CA state qualifier, Greco Roman State Champion, 4x Central Coast Section Champion, and 4x league Champion.
When he became a Christian: Tony confessed Christ as his Lord his freshman year in high school at a church called Cry Out Christian Fellowship in San Jose, CA. Throughout high school his he lived an average Christianity. In 1997 his second year of college his faith would be tested and he would never be the same. On September 12, 1997 Tony was on a routine visit home from college (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) when Tony’s cousin Manuel. Tony and Manuel were in a vehicle when Manuel was gunned down. The gun shot to the head and face of Manuel caused him to lose control of the vehicle, crashed into a brick building. Tony would find himself in the hospital with a fractured L2 vertebra and the doctors telling him that he would never wrestle again. The worst news came later that night when his father told him that his cousin had past away. Faced with the loss of his close cousin, the reality that he would lose his scholarship and never be able to pursue his dreams of being a college & world champion made for a season of great pain and soul searching.
Tony comments, “After the grieving process I was faced with the loss of my identity. I realized that my medals could not help nor did they bring any comfort. I would find myself confined to a bed for a about a year. My mom would often share with me about Christ’s power to heal. My dad would constantly be by my side praying over me. Some how, some way God heard my parent’s prayers were heard. God gave me the strength to make the baggiest comeback ever. Three years later I wrestled and won my first tournament back. My mom was right! Christ heals.”
What Tony did not realize was that God had plans to use this tragedy to build a testimony that would help to prepare him for the greatest wrestling season of his life. That was to go into ministry and wrestle along side people to help them find their way to Christ.
Why he loves working with FCA:
Tony answers, “During bible school all I really had was an athletic background and I would often ask God what I would be doing for him?”
After graduating From Latin American Bible Institute and transferring to Vanguard University in Southern CA Tony was encouraged by his father and a coach by the name of Bill Grant from Monterey, CA to get back into wrestling. Tony started helping assist head coach Scott Glabb at Santa Ana H.S.
At the time Scott Glabb was leading an FCA huddle where Tony volunteered. Through FCA Tony would soon fall in love with serving others. In short God brought wrestling and ministry together like only He could. Today Tony enjoys coaching and being used by the Lord to share with all, that Christ has the power to heal, also, to turn around what the devil means for harm and use it for good. Through FCA Tony has been blessed to meet great people like Coach Jose Campo from San Diego. Campo is one the great influences in Tony’s life. He is an FCA role model and he enjoys the time they get to spend at camp together.
Tony often shares Jeremiah 29:11 with young people that, “For God knows the plans that He has for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and future.”
His mom would often quote to him before a big match, “Tony you got to have the eye of the tiger.”
This means, stay focused and don’t you ever give up. As a Christian he understands that we have the ability in us to never give up because Christ has over come all. Tony would like for all to know that we can stand up, be strong and courageous, at not be terrified or dismayed for Christ is with us wherever we go. Don’t ever give up, but if you can no longer go on only give up and give in to the Lord, because He will renew your strength.
“Special thanks to Barry Martinez & Mark Boyer for their patience with me while I learn and grow as a minister and as person. Thank you!” -Tg | 
