Good Showing for Ohio at the Paralympics

I really enjoyed watching the recent 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris!

The Paralympians were great, and I was glad to see the great Buckeye state, Ohio, well represented and have an outstanding showing.

To honor my state, I’d like to give kudos to some of its great Paralympian athletes.

Grace Norman, from Jamestown, Ohio won gold in the Para Olympics Triathlon competition during the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, took gold for a second time in Paris. Grace, who had to have a portion of her left leg, right big toe, and nearly her right leg amputated due to a congenital amniotic band disorder, is a beast as my brother Jay nicknames great athletes. He also refers to me by that name because I continue to “Make Things Happen”. Grace’s strength is amazing to watch. Although it seemed she couldn’t get any better after her showing in Tokyo, she was even better in Paris.  Congratulations to Grace as she recently got married.

Canoeing seems like fun and Blake Haxton took his skills in this sport to Paralympics status. Blake of Columbus, Ohio contracted a flesh-eating disease and had to have both of his legs amputated during his senior year in high school. A true athlete at heart, Blake found a new passion for canoeing. The Columbian would take home the bronze medal in the 200-meter canoe sprint this year in Paris.

Brittni Mason of Cleveland can run and boy, is she fast. Track and field is always a competition that gets people’s blood pumping and Brittni didn’t disappoint. Brittni who has Erb’s palsy never let her disability limit her from doing what she does best and that’s running.  Brittni took the silver medal in the 100-meter and 200-meter dash competitions this year. Brittni is now sitting on five medals!

Although they did not medal, I must give an honorable mention to a few other Ohio Paralympians. I’m from Dayton, Ohio which is just a hop, skip, and jump from Bellbrook, Ohio where Paralympian Byron Branch is from. Byron, who was a former police officer, lost his leg due to an accident while on duty. Byron took an interest in wheelchair fencing and became great at it. As a result, Byron represented the US in the Paralympics in the fencing competition. Although he didn’t medal, he gave it his all and deserves praise.

Other Ohioans who deserve a shout out are Kelly Elmlinger of Attica, OH who competed in the paratriathlon competition, and Jenna Fesemyer of Ravenna who competed in the track and field competition.

To be a Paralympian requires great strength both physically and mentally. Just to be invited to compete is a great achievement. All our Ohio Paralympians not only showed up, but they showed out representing the Buckeye State and the United States proudly.

https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-represented-paralympic-games-heres-204203544.html