The Jewish Link of New Jersey would like to recognize 16-year-old Zach Amos as this week’s Sportstar of the Week. The junior at The Frisch School was crowned the “Dominator” at last month’s Wittenberg Tournament. The award is given annually to the wrestler with the most pins in the least amount of time in the championship round. When asked about Amos, Frisch wrestling coach MB Klyman told the JLNJ, “Zach is one of the hardest working members of the team, working out sometimes up to three times a day with private coaching and workouts at Underground Training. Additionally, his ability to balance his school work while being one of Frisch’s top athletes makes it easy to recognize him as a leader of the team. His natural desire to help the newer athletes in whatever they need, whether it is with time management or studies, has shown with the development of the team over his tenure.”
Zach, congratulations on a great tournament and taking home the Dominator award. Who is your role model and why?
There are so many role models in my life because every person I consider a role model always has something valuable about life to teach me. My father is one of my many role models. He teaches me so many things on a day to day basis. He always provides everything that needs to be provided and still at the same time finds multiple ways to give back to the community. I think the most important thing I have learned from him is the respect I have for the beit knesset. Every Motzei Shabbos before we go home from shul we take five minutes to organize all the siddurim on the shelves so that people can find the Siddur or their preference with ease and make it easier for people to have a meaningful tefillah.
What is your favorite sport?
My favorite sport is, of course, wrestling. The few reasons that make it to the top of the list are the things like the connection that I make with my teammates. While individually wrestling is a one on one contact sport, each individual contributes to scoring points for the team. In order to be prepared for our opponents, we spend hours on the mat training together. Another reason that makes this my favorite sport is all the work that needs to be put in if you want to see results. It really prepares you for things that you may face in the future. Some people may assume that because they want something they can get it automatically but wrestling teaches you how to manage your life and expectations whether it’s school or family or friends you always have to make time for the things that are important for you. The thing that I’m sure any wrestler will give for wrestling being their favorite sport is most likely that feeling of getting your hand raised after winning a match. Nothing beats that feeling it just makes you feel unstoppable.
What is your greatest sports accomplishment?
My greatest sports accomplishment is my most recent sport’s accomplishment. Receiving the Dominator award for having the most pins in the least amount of time at the Wittenberg Wrestling Invitational held by Yeshiva Wrestling Association.
What is your earliest sports memory?
My earliest sports memory is of me practicing basketball with my parents in the backyard. In our family basketball is a big thing but I discovered wrestling and for me it changed everything.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
When it comes to my favorite athlete it’s hard to say because of all the amazing athletes that surround me. For me it’s not about whether or not they’re a professional athlete, it is about their impact on me. Having to pick a favorite athlete is hard but I would choose my coach Moshe (MB) Klyman. He’s a huge inspiration, he has made it to a national level as well as an international level and he continues to do so without sacrificing his religious identity. He has taught me a lot about being a wrestler but I know he has a lot more to teach me.
What is your favorite sports memory?
My favorite sports memory isn’t just one specific time because it’s actually all the time I spend practicing on the mat. It’s not the first time I got my hand raised after winning a match even though it’s a great feeling that’s indescribable. My favorite sports memory is every single practice and every single workout that I’ve done with my teammates past and present.
What is your pre-match routine?
My pre-match routine is pretty simple. I warm up on the side and get a sweat going while my teammate wrestles his opponent and when it’s my time to go wrestle I quickly let him know I’m proud of him before I go out to the mat and wrestle.
What is your favorite thing to do when you are not playing sports?
My top two are playing guitar and catching up on all the sleep I need.
What is your weirdest sports memory?
My weirdest sports memory has to be the Sunday night after Wittenberg when they were giving out individual awards and I didn’t even realize it because I was with my family and friends just being happy with my accomplishments from the season. Then all of a sudden we all heard my name over the microphone and everyone was asking “ What did he win?” I go up there and I’m being filmed saying I’m confused because I really was confused and then I got the Dominator award. I didn’t even realize it until I read the words because I hadn’t heard them say they were giving it to me. Once I read Dominator I screamed “Ohh cool!” and then there was a lot of laughing and excitement with my friends. It is one of the most difficult awards to win at Wittenberg!
What is the best thing about being a Sportstar?
I honestly don’t know what the best thing about being a Sportstar is because the title is brand new to me. Hopefully the best thing that will come from this will bring more people into loving this amazing sport.
The Sportstar of the Week will receive a $15 gift certificate to any local restaurant of their choice. Please contact Moshe Kinderlehrer at (201) 371-3212 or
[email protected] to receive a certificate. Please send nominees for an upcoming Jewish Link of New Jersey Sportstar of the Week to [email protected].
