Anthony Martin von Sager

"From Wheelchair to World Champion"

Anthony von Sager was born in Germany and raised in an orphanage in Austria at a time when those with a mobility disability had little hope of furthering their lives. Born with cerebral palsy, he spent the first ten years of his life partially handcuffed to a wheelchair and was expected to remain in a chair forever.

As a child he would watch Kancho Geert J Lemmens training his students in a nearby field. Observing these sessions filled Anthony with hopes and desires that were considered impossible. Kancho recognized that Anthony had something special, worked personally with him to develop what he now calls, “power from within” – mind over matter.

Knowing the intensity of that power, Lemmens realized that he could transport Anthony to places he had only dreamed of.  Along the way, his combats turned into victories.

As Anthony won titles and passed from one Black Belt to the next (first of his kind in the world) his triumphant stories made the headlines of countless newspapers and magazines, as well as television shows around the globe.

• The first 100% disabled fighter to battle fully-able bodies and win

• 8 undefeated World Championships

• 7 U.S. National Titles

• 14 State titles (both in fully able and handicapped divisions)

• 2 World Records.

As a result of his triumphs, athletes with a disability are accepted and winning in Martial Arts around the world.  He is now a celebrated Motivational Speaker and Consultant.  Although retired from competition, Anthony has developed a program for all called Get Fit for Life. His philosophy has been translated into two books and a recent screenplay recognized at the Sundance Film Festival.