At just 16 years old, Daniel Delman is already making a name for himself. He’s a TABC junior, a gabbai at his shul, and a pillar within his community. He’s also a star athlete on the wrestling mat, where his drive and passion have earned him an undefeated season. Delman is taking his skills to new heights now, pushing his limits while balancing his commitment to academics, faith, and leadership.
Coming from a family with deep wrestling roots, Delman was inspired by stories of his father and uncles, who all competed in the sport. His father, Brent Delman, instilled in him an appreciation for the discipline and lessons wrestling teaches—responsibility, commitment and leadership that extend far beyond the mat.
“Wrestling is more than just a sport,” Delman shared with The Jewish Link. “It’s a way to learn how to push past your physical and mental limits. What most inspires me about my father is how he took those skills and applies them in his own life. It makes me want to be a better person myself.”
Delman also draws inspiration from his mother and siblings, who are all athletic and accomplished in their fields. His mother is a pediatric endocrinologist at Columbia and has dedicated her life to improving the lives of children. His brother similarly wrestled and used what he learned to later serve in the IDF’s elite Egoz unit.
“My brother learned from wrestling—things like discipline and mental toughness—to help him overcome challenges and get into Egoz,” Delman said. “It shows me personally how wrestling can teach you about adversity and help you succeed in any area of life.”
Delman’s sisters, Maya and Attalie, have also been major inspirations. Maya trained in jujitsu, while Attalie was a competitive swimmer.
“I’ve learned from my sisters that real success is the effort you put into every single day,” Delman continued. “Seeing their determination has shown me the importance of persistence and pushing past limits.”
To hone his skills, the young athlete trains six days a week, balancing practices with school. His dedication paid off when he secured an undefeated season this year. In a particularly remarkable showing, Delman competed in three weight classes during a short-staffed team match, winning all three and securing victory for his school.
“That was a great moment for me,” he said. “It felt amazing to know that I could step up and help my team when they needed it most. That night, I saw how my hard work and determination could make a real difference for my teammates, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”
Outside of his athletic achievements, Delman is deeply committed to his Jewish faith and community. As the gabbai at his shul, he takes on responsibilities such as delivering divrei Torah and blowing the shofar for the elderly during the High Holidays. He also runs an extracurricular mussar club at school.
“I really enjoy being a part of a team and working with others,” Delman observed. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the wrestling mat, in my shul or at school. I try to bring the same level of dedication and effort to everything I do.”
His role models also reflect his values. On the mat, he looks up to Mitch Finesilver, a collegiate wrestler who now competes for Israel and has earned honors including a bronze medal at the European Championships. Closer to home, Delman credits both his uncle, a former amateur MMA fighter, and his older brother as key influences.
“My uncle has always been a mentor to me. I train with him every summer in Colorado. He’s like my coach, always keeping me on track and helping me grow. He pushes me to set goals, make detailed plans to achieve them, and hold myself accountable. He’s a big reason why I’ve been able to take my wrestling to the next level.”
Delman’s aspirations don’t stop at high school. He hopes to wrestle at the collegiate level while pursuing a career in physical therapy. When asked if he ever struggles with self-doubt, he remains steadfast.
“I’ve heard stories of famous people looking at pictures of their younger selves and saying, ‘I’m doing it for that kid,’” he said. “That’s kind of the mindset I have. I’m committed to a lot of things, but I do it all because it means so much to me. I wake up every day and tell myself, ‘I’ve pushed through so much already; I’m not stopping now.’ I’ve worked too hard to quit, and I won’t let anything stand in my way.”
Looking ahead, Delman hopes to inspire others to embrace hard work and resilience, both on and off the mat. Whether it’s through his athletic achievements, leadership roles or work within his community, he remains focused on living with purpose and integrity.
“With everything I do, I remind myself that it’s not just about winning or being the best. It’s about who you become in the process and how you use what you’ve learned to give back. That’s what truly defines success for me.”
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.
