CANTON, Ohio — Zion Clark may have a million-dollar smile, but he lives to inspire everyone he meets. 

What You Need To Know

  • Zion Clark was born with a rare birth defect and has no legs 

  • But the 25-year-old has been able to achieve his dreams and inspire others 

  • Clark hopes to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics 

The 25-year-old Canton native was born with a rare birth defect called caudal regression syndrome and has no legs. 

He was given up for adoption as an infant, in and out of the foster care system, until he finally found a home with Kimberly Hawkins when he was in high school.  

“Being scared for my life, most of my life, is hard and finding a loving mother like that, that helps me realize what my potential is, saying I can be great and do anything I want to in life, really was the turning point,” Clark said.

 “You and your family introduced me to the sport of wrestling and gave me something to look forward to,” said former wrestling coach Gil Donahue, reading a hand signed message from Clark. 

That’s when he met wrestling coach Gil Donahue at Massillon Washington High School, and the two have experienced the lows and many highs ever since. 

“He lost almost 200 matches in a row, you know, and still never, ever gave up," Donahue said. "And we developed a system on attacking a human being below his knees, and he became very, very good at it."

Clark said his coach said no excuses, you're about to win.

“And then I won in overtime, and then boom, I’m in the finals, beating one of the best buys in the state of Ohio,” Clark said. 

Clark would go on to a successful All-American wrestling career at Kent State University Tuscarawas.  

An MMA career would follow along with a documentary and second book, a memoir earlier this year. 

“The reason why I put this book up here is because of the inspiration," Donahue said. "He inspires me every day to be the best coach I can be."

Craig Levinson, Clark's friend, mentor and management team leader, said he's so multi-faceted and diverse, that there's so much he can do. Levinson said from acting to MMA, even music, Clark has a lot of ambitious plans. 

What he’s learned most from Clark over the last five years is the power of perspective, he said.

“You have a human that is three feet tall, but takes on mountains and could literally move mountains with how powerful his spirit and energy is," he said. "I learn a lot every day just by seeing him interact with the world and how the world responds to him as this huge light."

Clark said, given his experience, he has enlightened some things in Levinson, just as he has for Clark.

“I’m the guy that will call Craig at three in the morning, 'dude I have this crazy idea,'” Clark said.

As for the future, he hopes his showcase of athleticism and strength will lead him to triumph in America’s Got Talent. 

Also, he's set a goal of competing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, both as a wrestler and the Paralympics in wheelchair racing. 

Clark said his “No Excuses” motto has carried him along the way, and he continues to appreciate those who share this journey with him across the country. 

“His unique personality and his desire to be resilient was what got him to where he is today,” Donahue said. 

And his message to fans from the buckeye state, is this is only the beginning.

“You the family, you my fans, my homies, listen y’all up next," he said. "I’m doing this first, but listen, I set the trail. Now I lead it, now I pave the way for y’all to follow, and that’s how I feel about it."

Clark is through the live round on America’s Got Talent. He said if he wins top prize, he hopes to give a good chuck of earnings to the foster care system.