Massillon's Zion Clark dazzles judges on 'America's Got Talent' with music and muscles

Former Massillon resident Zion Clark dazzled the judges again on "America's Got Talent" during his return performance Tuesday night when he showed off both his athletic ability and musical talent.

As he had promised in a recent interview with The Canton Repository, the 25-year-old California resident had a surprise in store for the audience.

Born without legs, Clark told the crowd why music is important to him.

"It's been the most constant thing in my life," he said. "It's the one thing I can turn to when the world is too much. Music has never turned its back on me.

"When it comes to music, it allows me to create the ability of sound to heal the world's pain," Clark added. "It has given me the ability to rise up and overcome every challenge, every hurdle ..."

Quickly removing a patterned vest and button-down white shirt, Clark revealed his chiseled muscles while wearing a pair of shorts. Then he burst into his routine.

The Massillon Washington High School graduate began the performance by hopping from box to box several times before swinging on a rope and then from one gymnastic ring to another back and forth.

With the crowd roaring approval and clapping, Clark slid down a pole before climbing up it and ascending to an elevated stage, where he played the drums for about 30 seconds, clanging cymbals and performing a solo. Heard in the background was the rap song, "Remember the Name."

Zion's story No excuses: Born without legs, Zion Clark to appear again on 'America's Got Talent'

How to vote for Zion Clark

Clark was among 11 contestants on Tuesday's two-hour show that started at 8 p.m. Other performers included singers and dancers, as well as a magician and comedian.

Contestants are competing for a $1 million prize and a spot in the "America's Got Talent" Las Vegas residency. Clark had advanced to the final group of 55 performing in the live round.

Viewers will determine the finalists and winner by voting online. The voting results were to be revealed Wednesday night.

Simon Cowell thinks Zion Clark earned a spot in the finals of 'America's Got Talent'

Judges seemed to be equally impressed with Clark's latest routine.

"Oh my gosh, I loved your first audition," said judge Simon Cowell. "When I watched it back, I loved it even more. I think you've just booked yourself a place in the final (in two weeks)."

Gesturing with his hands, Cowell said: "I have so much respect."

Said fellow judge Howie Mandel: "Everyone in the world needs to watch you and be inspired by you. If nothing else, just to show up. You are truly a treasure."

Judge Heidi Klum was enthusiastic with praise: "You are ... a huge force of positivity and strength, and I'm so happy to see you on our stage again. I love you. Inspiration is the word that I think of when I think of you."

'The things that we can do, there's no cap to it, no ceiling.'

Kneeling and holding out a microphone to a smiling Clark, show host Terry Crews asked: "What do you want the act you just did to represent to the world?"

Answered Clark: "I want it to represent the meaning of what it means to be limitless. The things that we can do, there's no cap to it, there's no ceiling or ceilings — they don't exist."

Last time he was on the show, Clark wowed the judges and left audience members awestruck. He amazed viewers as he lifted weights, performed one-armed pullups, and hopped onto a 24-inch box, followed by a backflip before racing across the stage using only his hands and completing the routine.

Zion Clark, the amazing Guinness World-Record-holding athlete

Born in Columbus, Clark had been moved from foster home to foster home while growing up until he was adopted as a high school senior.

Clark, who was born without legs due to a condition known as caudal regression syndrome, already had accomplished a slew of athletic feats long before he appeared on "America's Got Talent."

He's set Guinness World Records, including being the fastest human on two hands in a 20-meter run at 4.78 seconds.

Clark won his first MMA (mixed martial arts) match in December 2022, defeating Eugene Murray by unanimous decision at the Gladiator Challenge: Seasons Beatings. The victory made Clark the first legless person to beat an able-bodied opponent, The Canton Repository reported in December.

At Washington High School, he won the 100-meter seated and 400 seated events at the 2016 OHSAA Track and Field Championships. Clark went on to star in wrestling for Kent State University at Tuscarawas and was ranked eighth in the country by the National Collegiate Wrestling Association at 125 pounds in 2018.

Clark has also appeared on HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel."

Clark, whose family members live both in Canton and Massillon, has used his newfound fame to become a motivational speaker. On his website, he offers tips and phrases that he hopes will help boost the confidence of others. On the site's homepage, under his large name in bold, are the words "No Excuses," which are also tattooed across his back.

Reach Ed at ebalint@gannett.com and on X (formerly Twitter) @ebalintREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Zion Clark wows 'America's Got Talent' judges with music and muscles