Originally published Saturday, December 25, 2010 at 8:05 PM

Where are they now: A.J. Leitch

A.J. Leitch, who was born without kneecaps and the ulna and radius bones that would run from his elbows to his wrists, took up wrestling to prove to himself he could do it. He's a senior at Sammamish High School, moving up to the 112-pound weight class this season.

By Mason Kelley

Seattle Times staff reporter

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ERIKA SCHULTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES

A.J. Leitch, who was born without kneecaps and the bones that would run from his elbows to his wrists, is wrestling in the 112-pound weight class this season.

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Sammamish's A.J. Leitch didn't take on wrestling to become someone other people looked up to. However, since he told his story during the 2009-10 season, that is exactly who the senior wrestler has become.

Leitch, who was born without kneecaps and the ulna and radius bones that would run from his elbows to his wrists — the condition is called thrombocytopenia-absent radius or TAR syndrome — took up wrestling in sixth grade. He wanted to prove to himself he could do it. Now he is providing inspiration for others.

"I've always just thought about me doing whatever I wanted to do and not letting anyone stop me, just being myself," Leitch said. "I guess people have admired that, so it's really good."

In the months since his story was told in The Seattle Times article "A Heart Without Limits," on Feb. 2, others dealing with TAR syndrome have reached out to Leitch.

Some wanted to tell him that he inspired them to try wrestling. Others just wanted to talk with someone who understands what they are going through.

"It kind of makes me feel good about what I'm doing and there's actually a purpose to what I'm doing," Leitch said. "It's my way of giving back to what's helped me out."

At a recent wrestling tournament he met Megan Absten, a Burlington-Edison wrestler who lost her left arm during an ATV accident a year ago. She has since returned to wrestling and Leitch offered advice and support.

Once his junior year ended, Leitch began competing in club freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling in the 105-pound weight class.

He earned a trip to Fargo, N.D., to compete at the USAW Junior Nationals in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

"It was awesome, because I got to work with other kids in the state who are really good, who have been wrestling their whole lives," Leitch said.

Now that his senior season with the Totems has started, Leitch is adjusting to a new weight class (112).

"It's kind of off to a slow start, because I'm in a higher weight class," he said. "I have to learn how to get the guys down, because they're a lot taller and lankier than I am."

He treats it as another challenge with new goals.

Mason Kelley: 206-464-8277 or mkelley@seattletimes.com

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