GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — If he ever leaves the University of Michigan, Myles Amine’s legacy is safely intact.
He is a five-time All-American. His father wrestled at Michigan, and so did his uncle, brother and cousin. And when he competes in Paris, he’ll be a two-time Olympian.
“There was always dreams of being an Olympic champion, winning an Olympic medal,” Amine said.
He’s done that, too, by winning a bronze in Tokyo. In doing so, he became the first male athlete ever to win a medal for San Marino.
Hours after the medal ceremony, Amine says one of his coaches congratulated him — and then issued a challenge.
“He said, ‘This is all great, but in a couple of weeks, I want you to put that medal in a sock drawer or put it somewhere where you’re not going to be able to see it,'” Amine recalled. “He said, ‘That stuff is fleeting. The reason why we do this is much deeper than that.'”
Having a mentor like that to push him every day pushes him closer to his ultimate goal.
“That gold medal is something I train for every day. But at the same time, it’s a little deeper than that,” Amine said. “I also train every day because I want to perfect this craft. It’s honorable to try to be the best version of myself.”
With an attitude like that, Amine’s success isn’t a surprise to anyone who has coached him.
“He’s just always had that warrior spirit,” Michigan wrestling head coach Sean Bormet said. “The more intense the match, the more he seems to rise up. He kind of has that gritty composure.”
Grit, desire and attitude. It’s a winning combination, especially when the goal is bigger than winning.
“When I showed up to the room every day and when I went to pursue wrestling at a serious level, it really was more for the love of the sport,” Amine said.