AMC's Male Athlete of the Year has aspirations for world-class competition

Published Nov. 1, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Patrick Harrower
60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Senior Airman Nader Mahgribi, assigned to the 860th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron as an aerospace propulsion systems journeyman, was announced as Air Mobility Command Male Athlete of the Year Oct. 27.

Airman Mahgribi was chosen for the award after displaying exceptional abilities as an athlete and a wrestler. Airman Mahgribi represented the Air Force in the U.S. Senior National Wrestling Championships. At the championships, he won "all-American" honors and brought home the first gold medal for the Air Force since 2004.

The U.S. Senior National Wrestling Championships is an annual competition featuring the nation's top athletes competing in Olympic style wrestling.

Airman Maghribi also earned a spot on the U.S. military team to wrestle at the Conseil International de Sporte Militaire world military championships in Finland. He was the first Air Force wrestler to compete in the championships since 2008.

Tech. Sgt. Levar Alexander, 860th AMXS aerospace propulsion systems craftsman, is Airman Mahgribi's supervisor and organizes the time off for him to compete. He also has been helping him to practice and train for three years now.

"I am extremely proud of him," said Sergeant Alexander. "It feels good to be a part of what he is doing and just to know him."

"He has a very strong work ethic and gives 110 percent at everything he does," said Sergeant Alexander. "I have learned a lot from training with him."

"Honestly, I could not have done any of this without the total support of my unit," said Airman Mahgribi. "They made a lot of big things happen for me and without their full support, I wouldn't have made it this far."

"Senior Airman Mahgribi is the epitome of an airpower athlete. Not only is he an amazing wrestler and outstanding C-17 engine mechanic but he has also become an Air Force Ambassador around the world," said Maj. Elizabeth Clay, 860th AMXS commander. "Every time he steps on to the mat, he does so as an 'Airman-Athlete.'

"Competing at this high level takes an enormous amount of discipline, dedication and commitment," Major Clay said. "His solid character traits and work ethic transfer daily to his performance on the Travis C-17 maintenance mission. The entire 860th could not be prouder of Senior Airman Mahgribi and as his commander, I am happy he is on our side."

Airman Mahgribi has been wrestling since the third grade where he won a championship the first year.

"I won the championship and when I went to class, they had bought donuts for me. So I started winning all the time," said Airman Mahgribi.

Airman Mahgribi said he has long-term aspirations to get into the World Class Athlete Program through the military. From the WCAP, American servicemembers are chosen to compete on Olympic teams.