Who is Paralympian Zion Clark? Meet the MMA fighter, wrestler and Guinness World record holder who won Conor McGregor’s seal of approval

From birth, this remarkable athlete has tirelessly defied the odds and created a legacy he is proud of.

Zion Clark, 22, from Ohio, USA, is on the verge of achieving something special: competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Clark was born without legs due to caudal regression syndrome, a rare and serious condition that stunts the development of the lower spine.

His difficult start in life continued when he was given up for adoption at birth and entered the foster care system, where he was terribly bullied by his peers.

Despite these setbacks, Clark has gone on to become a renowned fighter in professional MMA and wrestling, holding three Guinness World Record titles and even earning the seal of approval from Conor McGregor himself.

As he prepares to represent the United States in track and field at the Paralympic Games, FEMAIL takes a look at Zion Clark’s remarkable journey in the world of sport.

A challenging start

Zion Clark is a 22-year-old professional wrestler, MMA fighter, and Guinness World Record holder who grew up in Columbus, Ohio, United States.

Clark’s journey began with great challenges, as he was born in September 1997 with a rare birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome, which left him with no legs.

He was abandoned at birth and placed in foster care. He was constantly bullied and moved from one home to another frequently.

He was labeled a “problem child” and the foster care system abandoned him early, but his foster mother, Kimberlii, eventually adopted him when he was 16 and has been by his side ever since.

Amid the chaos of living in an abusive home, he found solace and strength in two unexpected forms of expression: wrestling and music.

At the age of seven, Clark was introduced to wrestling. It was tough at first – in fact, he didn’t win a single match for years.

He told MailOnline: ‘I’ve adapted my wrestling through trial and error, years of trying to figure out what would work.

“People would laugh at me because I had no legs. The best way to deal with haters is to use the hate to lift yourself up.”

“I now train twice a day, about six days a week. It’s a grind, it’s a way of life. Being born without legs hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I want to do.”

Clark’s early adversity only fueled his drive. By the time he reached his senior year at Massillon High School in Ohio, Clark had compiled an impressive 33-15 record, a turning point that would set the stage for his future endeavors.

Rising in the ranks

Clark’s wrestling career continued to flourish when he attended Kent State University, where he also excelled in wheelchair racing and won his second high school state championship.

But Clark would not only make his mark in wrestling.

In December 2022, he made his professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut at Gladiator Challenge: Seasons Beatings, where he fought Eugene Murray and won by unanimous decision.

The win caught the attention of UFC legend Conor McGregor, who praised Clark’s technical skills and expressed deep respect for his journey.

Three days after Clark’s performance, McGregor wrote on X: ‘Absolutely fascinating to hear about this man’s debut and now see it. Lightning bolt on the low single. Wow!

‘You don’t have to associate with him in any way. Only frames. Frame to hit. Fascinating! Congratulations and much respect to that man Zion Clark! MMA is the best sport!’

Clark wrote in response: ‘Appreciate the love and respect. This is just the beginning for me, I can’t wait to see how far I can go with my fighting skills! I proved the doubters wrong by becoming an All American and D1 Wrestler. All due respect.’

Record-breaking athlete

Clark’s athletic achievements extend beyond wrestling and MMA. He is a three-time Guinness World Record holder, recognized as the fastest man on two hands.

His record-breaking feats include running 20 meters on his hands in just 4.78 seconds, performing a 0.83-meter box jump with his hands, and completing 248 diamond push-ups in three minutes.

Every performance highlights Clark’s incredible upper body strength and perseverance.

Looking back at his diamond push-up record to Guinness World RecordsClark noted, “It was definitely a game.

“If you do these push-ups, you get to 100, 150, 200, and that’s when the real pain starts. One of two things is going to happen: You’re either going to give up and quit, or you’re going to keep pushing until you reach that goal.”

In addition to his record-breaking achievements, Clark has also dabbled in other athletic pursuits, including powerlifting, boxing, wheelchair bodybuilding, and even circus arts.

In 2023, he showcased his talents on “America’s Got Talent,” where he advanced to the semi-finals before being eliminated in the top five. Nevertheless, Clark left a lasting impression on both the judges and the audience.

On the way to the Paralympic Games

Clark’s most ambitious goal so far is to compete in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where he will represent the United States in track and field.

Clark previously trained under his manager Craig Levinson and alongside Olympic and world champion Jordan Burroughs and is determined to make history.

According to his website, zionclark.comWhile Tokyo hosted the 2020 Olympic Games, his dream was to become the first American athlete to compete in both the Olympic Wrestling Games and the Paralympic Wheelchair Racing Games.

As he prepares to compete in Paris, the world is watching, and we can’t wait to see how this remarkable athlete continues to defy expectations and push the boundaries of what’s possible.