Family Life
Anthony Joseph Ramos was born February 12, 1991 in Chicago, Illinois to Alfonzo and Debra Ramos. He grew up in a family of 2 brothers (Frankie and Vince) and 1 sister (Brandi). Ramos started wrestling when he was 3 years old so he could wrestle on the same team as Frankie and Vince, for one year.
In 6th grade Ramos joined the prestigious Martinez Elite wrestling club which is where he met coach Izzy Martinez. Prior to 8th grade Ramos had been living in Johnsburg, IL but his family moved back to Carol Stream where he attended Glenbard North high school. Ramos was a three-time Illinois state champion at Glenbard North, winning his titles at 112 and 125 pounds (2x). Ramos set school records for most takedowns in a career and season, and best season record. He also placed 5th at Junior World Championships in 2009.
After completing his storied high school career, Ramos committed to attend the University of Iowa under head coach Tom Brands. While at Iowa Ramos competed at 133 pounds and was a three time All-American and 3x Big Ten Finalist. Ramos capped of his career at Iowa with a national title and Big Ten Championship in 2014 at 133lbs. Ramos' overall career record as a Hawkeye was 120-14. He had 36 falls, 13 tech falls, and 24 major decisons. He was 1 of 3 Hawkeyes to finish their career unbeaten in Carver Hawkeye Arena at a perfect 36-0.
On July 19, 2014 he married Megan (Eskew) Ramos, whom he met while at the University of Iowa. On April 25th, 2015 the couple welcomed their first son Anthony Joseph (AJ) Ramos Jr. into the world. Then on January 23rd, 2017 they were blessed with a second boy Lincoln Vincent Ramos. The Ramos family welcomed their 3rd child, Calla Jo Ramos, on August 30th, 2018. Their 4th child Molly Rose Ramos was born on August 29th, 2020.
Anthony Joseph Ramos was born February 12, 1991 in Chicago, Illinois to Alfonzo and Debra Ramos. He grew up in a family of 2 brothers (Frankie and Vince) and 1 sister (Brandi). Ramos started wrestling when he was 3 years old so he could wrestle on the same team as Frankie and Vince, for one year.
In 6th grade Ramos joined the prestigious Martinez Elite wrestling club which is where he met coach Izzy Martinez. Prior to 8th grade Ramos had been living in Johnsburg, IL but his family moved back to Carol Stream where he attended Glenbard North high school. Ramos was a three-time Illinois state champion at Glenbard North, winning his titles at 112 and 125 pounds (2x). Ramos set school records for most takedowns in a career and season, and best season record. He also placed 5th at Junior World Championships in 2009.
After completing his storied high school career, Ramos committed to attend the University of Iowa under head coach Tom Brands. While at Iowa Ramos competed at 133 pounds and was a three time All-American and 3x Big Ten Finalist. Ramos capped of his career at Iowa with a national title and Big Ten Championship in 2014 at 133lbs. Ramos' overall career record as a Hawkeye was 120-14. He had 36 falls, 13 tech falls, and 24 major decisons. He was 1 of 3 Hawkeyes to finish their career unbeaten in Carver Hawkeye Arena at a perfect 36-0.
On July 19, 2014 he married Megan (Eskew) Ramos, whom he met while at the University of Iowa. On April 25th, 2015 the couple welcomed their first son Anthony Joseph (AJ) Ramos Jr. into the world. Then on January 23rd, 2017 they were blessed with a second boy Lincoln Vincent Ramos. The Ramos family welcomed their 3rd child, Calla Jo Ramos, on August 30th, 2018. Their 4th child Molly Rose Ramos was born on August 29th, 2020.
Photo Credit: Rachel Jessen
Competitive Career
Ramos decided to continue his wrestling career after college with goals of becoming an Olympic and world champions. His first competition out of college in 2014 was the US World Team Trials. Ramos went in as the 4th seed and came out on top number one. He went on to represent the United States of America at 57kg at the 2014 World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Ramos international career is still going strong. He won the 2015 Grand Prix of Paris the 2014 Canada Cup. Ramos represented the United States at the 2015 World Cup Championships where he went 2-2. He is also the Global Wrestling Champion at Flyweight and Bantam weight. He won these titles by defeating Sam Hazewinkle in Ithaca, New York at the first ever Global Wrestling Championships and Henry Cejudo at AGON V in Cedar Rapids, IA. He won the 2015 US Open which gave him the advantage to sit out of the 2015 World Team Trials tournament and just wrestle in the best of 3 finals. Ramos went on to win the trials again in 2015 making back to back US world teams at 57kg. He finished 11th at the 2015 World Championships held in Las Vegas, NV. In 2016 Ramos made his 3rd US National Team by finishing 2nd at the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials.
Ramos competed and trained as a member of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club in Iowa City from 2014- 2016. Ramos currently competes for the Tar Heel Wrestling Club (THWC) along with the Sunkist Kids. He is now coached by THWC Head Coach and Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday and 2012 Olympic bronze Coleman Scott. Ramos won the 2017 US Open by defeating Nashon Garrett of the Sunkist Kids in the finals. Ramos finished the 2017 season as the Runner- Up at the World Team Trials to become part of the US National Team for the 4th consecutive year.
For the 2017- 2018 season Ramos competed up to 61kg for most competitions. In his first competition he finished 4th at the Dave Schultz Memorial in Colorado Springs, CO at 61kg. Right after the new year Ramos traveled to Russia to compete in the prestigious Ivan Yarigan where he finished in 5th place at 61kg. Ramos made his return back to 57kg for the 2018 US Open that took place in Las Vegas, NV on April 27th-28th where he capped off the tournament with his 3rd US Open title beating Oklahoma State's Daton Fix. Ramos made his 5th consecutive US National team by winning his true third match in Final X Bethlehem.
Ramos made the move up to 61kg for his final season of competitive competition. He finished 6th at the 2019 US Open. Ramos qualified for the WTT Challenge Tournament in Raleigh, NC. Ramos opened up the tournament with a 6-1 win over former Hawkeye teammate Cory Clark in the quarter finals. Following Ramos' semifinal lost to Nico Megaludis he left his shoes in the center of the mat signifying his retirement from the sport after 25 years.
Ramos decided to continue his wrestling career after college with goals of becoming an Olympic and world champions. His first competition out of college in 2014 was the US World Team Trials. Ramos went in as the 4th seed and came out on top number one. He went on to represent the United States of America at 57kg at the 2014 World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Ramos international career is still going strong. He won the 2015 Grand Prix of Paris the 2014 Canada Cup. Ramos represented the United States at the 2015 World Cup Championships where he went 2-2. He is also the Global Wrestling Champion at Flyweight and Bantam weight. He won these titles by defeating Sam Hazewinkle in Ithaca, New York at the first ever Global Wrestling Championships and Henry Cejudo at AGON V in Cedar Rapids, IA. He won the 2015 US Open which gave him the advantage to sit out of the 2015 World Team Trials tournament and just wrestle in the best of 3 finals. Ramos went on to win the trials again in 2015 making back to back US world teams at 57kg. He finished 11th at the 2015 World Championships held in Las Vegas, NV. In 2016 Ramos made his 3rd US National Team by finishing 2nd at the 2016 US Olympic Team Trials.
Ramos competed and trained as a member of the Hawkeye Wrestling Club in Iowa City from 2014- 2016. Ramos currently competes for the Tar Heel Wrestling Club (THWC) along with the Sunkist Kids. He is now coached by THWC Head Coach and Olympic gold medalist Kenny Monday and 2012 Olympic bronze Coleman Scott. Ramos won the 2017 US Open by defeating Nashon Garrett of the Sunkist Kids in the finals. Ramos finished the 2017 season as the Runner- Up at the World Team Trials to become part of the US National Team for the 4th consecutive year.
For the 2017- 2018 season Ramos competed up to 61kg for most competitions. In his first competition he finished 4th at the Dave Schultz Memorial in Colorado Springs, CO at 61kg. Right after the new year Ramos traveled to Russia to compete in the prestigious Ivan Yarigan where he finished in 5th place at 61kg. Ramos made his return back to 57kg for the 2018 US Open that took place in Las Vegas, NV on April 27th-28th where he capped off the tournament with his 3rd US Open title beating Oklahoma State's Daton Fix. Ramos made his 5th consecutive US National team by winning his true third match in Final X Bethlehem.
Ramos made the move up to 61kg for his final season of competitive competition. He finished 6th at the 2019 US Open. Ramos qualified for the WTT Challenge Tournament in Raleigh, NC. Ramos opened up the tournament with a 6-1 win over former Hawkeye teammate Cory Clark in the quarter finals. Following Ramos' semifinal lost to Nico Megaludis he left his shoes in the center of the mat signifying his retirement from the sport after 25 years.
Coaching Career
In 2016 Ramos joined the staff at the University of North Carolina as the Volunteer Assistant. He spent two years in this position coaching before being promoted to the Assistant Coach in 2018 after Neil Erisman took the Head Coach position at Little Rock Arkansa.
In 2017 Ramos coached two ACC Champions (Troy Heilmann and Ethan Ramos) and two NCAA All Americans (Troy Heilmann 4th and Chip Ness 7th).
In the 2018-2019 the Tar Heels captured a share of the ACC Regular Seasons Championship. At the 2019 NCAA Championships the Tar Heels had their 2nd top 20 finish under the new coaching staff and two All Americans (Austin O'Connor 3rd and Chip Ness 6th).
The 2019-2020 season was a remarkable one for the Tar Heels. Ramos was promoted to Associate Head Coach and UNC finished 7th in the final NWCA Coaches Poll before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. At the ACC Championships Ramos helped coach three ACC Champions (Zach Sherman, Austin O'Connor, Clay Lautt) and another finalist (Jaime Hernandez). The program finished with three All-Americans.
The 2020-2021 the Tar Heels crowned their first National Champion in Austin O'Connor. At the ACC Championships Ramos helped coach three ACC finalist (Zach Sherman, Austin O'Connor, Clay Lautt) and one Champion (Austin O'Connor). The program finished with two All-Americans (Zach Sherman and Austin O'Connor).
The 2021-2022 season the Tar Heels again sent an athlete to the NCAA finals. This time 15 seed Kizhan Clarke finished runner-up at 141lbs for Carolina. Along with that Ramos helped coach two more All Americans in Austin O'Connor (157lbs) and Clay Lautt (184lbs). This was the most All American for UNC since 1995 in a single season.
In 2016 Ramos joined the staff at the University of North Carolina as the Volunteer Assistant. He spent two years in this position coaching before being promoted to the Assistant Coach in 2018 after Neil Erisman took the Head Coach position at Little Rock Arkansa.
In 2017 Ramos coached two ACC Champions (Troy Heilmann and Ethan Ramos) and two NCAA All Americans (Troy Heilmann 4th and Chip Ness 7th).
In the 2018-2019 the Tar Heels captured a share of the ACC Regular Seasons Championship. At the 2019 NCAA Championships the Tar Heels had their 2nd top 20 finish under the new coaching staff and two All Americans (Austin O'Connor 3rd and Chip Ness 6th).
The 2019-2020 season was a remarkable one for the Tar Heels. Ramos was promoted to Associate Head Coach and UNC finished 7th in the final NWCA Coaches Poll before the season was cut short due to COVID-19. At the ACC Championships Ramos helped coach three ACC Champions (Zach Sherman, Austin O'Connor, Clay Lautt) and another finalist (Jaime Hernandez). The program finished with three All-Americans.
The 2020-2021 the Tar Heels crowned their first National Champion in Austin O'Connor. At the ACC Championships Ramos helped coach three ACC finalist (Zach Sherman, Austin O'Connor, Clay Lautt) and one Champion (Austin O'Connor). The program finished with two All-Americans (Zach Sherman and Austin O'Connor).
The 2021-2022 season the Tar Heels again sent an athlete to the NCAA finals. This time 15 seed Kizhan Clarke finished runner-up at 141lbs for Carolina. Along with that Ramos helped coach two more All Americans in Austin O'Connor (157lbs) and Clay Lautt (184lbs). This was the most All American for UNC since 1995 in a single season.
