By now most wrestling fans have seen the FloFilms smash hit The Story of Cary Kolat. That series told a story of our wrestling history. We now move from the past to the present, but are still talking wrestling history. Last year Isaiah Martinez became the first freshman to go undefeated and win an NCAA title since Cael Sanderson did it in 1999.

FloWrestling recently visited the University of Illinois to find out just what it is that makes IMAR so special. We jump inside the mind of this talented young man to see what motivates him and gives him his edge. Coming from a working class, blue collar town in the central valley of California, Isaiah Martinez was able to use wrestling as a means to make something for himself. Family is extremely important to him, yet he decided to travel 2,000 miles from home for the opportunity to go to college and wrestle in the Big Ten Conference. He has without a doubt made the most of that opportunity.

I first had my eyes opened to Isaiah Martinez in the 2010 Freakshow finals where he chased Alex Cisneros, then one of the biggest names in high school wrestling, all over the mat before falling in overtime. FloWrestling got a glimpse of him even before that, wrestling Anthony Valencia at 84lbs in the 12 and under division at the 2008 Reno World's.

Coincidently, Anthony Valencia is the last person to hand Martinez a defeat. In the finals of the 2014 junior world team trials Valencia won by tech fall in two straight matches.



So what gives?

Coming out of high school it was evident that Isaiah Martinez was going to be a highly touted recruit, but no one could have foreseen him doing what he did last year. The Illinois sophomore opens up to us about the 2014 losses to Valencia and the motivation that gave him. Couple this with a very serious family situation going on back home and a monster has been created. To say Isaiah Martinez is a man on a mission is an understatement.

I was extremely impressed, not only with the physical skills he possesses, but the mental strenght and mindset that drive Isaiah Martinez. Be on the lookout for another intriguing series on FloWrestling later this month.

Series schedule:

October 21- Trailer
October 28- Episode 1
November 4- Episode 2