Anthony N. "Buddy" Lee is known the world over as the Jump Rope King.

He has promoted fitness and fun for decades with a unique and highly successful system of jump-rope training.

He is President and CEO of Jump Rope Tech Technology, Inc., where he invents and markets state-of-the-art ropes for every level from beginners to U. S. Olympians, while also producing instructional videos, distilled from about 6,000 shows in some 50 countries, of some astonishingly rapid and skilled rope work.

Lee's worldwide fame and respect emerged from the sport of wrestling, which began in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Raised by his mother as one of six children, he began wrestling at Highland Springs High School for Coach Rudy Ward. Lee became the first AAA state champion for the Springers, and won a full scholarship to Old Dominion University.

He flourished under Coach Billy Martin, Jr., twice earning All-American honors, finishing in fourth place and seventh place, before his graduation in 1982.

Restlessly seeking excellence at the next level, Lee enlisted in the United States Marines. He also competed as a world-class wrestler, with dominant performances in Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Sombo competition. Among his many tournament wins was the 1985 Armed Forces Freestyle World Championship.

After being an alternate for the 1988 Seoul Olympics due to an injury, Lee capped his career with a sixth-place finish in Greco-Roman at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He later was selected to be a torchbearer for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

These impressive accomplishments have only sharpened Buddy's desire to help others. A Marine Athlete of the Year, he tirelessly visits military posts to inspire our servicemen, and he has appeared in countless high school gyms to motivate the next generation.

Lee partnered with Michelle Obama in her "Let's Get America Moving" initiative for youth, and has been selected to be Fitness Ambassador for organizations such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and the American Heart Association.

He is taking his message to China, hoping to launch a jump-rope craze there, but when he comes home, he still goes to Richmond.