Athletes usually start playing a sport because of a sibling, parents or school mates but junior Christian-John Salmasan or “CJ” started to wrestle because he “didn’t like the image of his body.”

Salmasan decided to wrestle during his sophomore year and plans to continue until he becomes a senior. Ever since he joined wrestling, he says it has changed him mentally and physically.

“I wasn’t satisfied with my body image,” Salmasan said. He admits he wanted to lose weight because he wasn’t confident.

Practicing almost 4 hours everyday, to Salmasan it is all worth it. “My parents are happy for me,” he said. His family completely support him and “are glad that I joined wrestling because they thought I was getting fat.”

To Salmasan wrestling was a way to overcome his insecurities.

“I didn’t join wrestling because of my friends, I joined wrestling because of me. I wanted to change.”