Many Paralympians have competed with spectacular athletism at Rio de Janeiro this year. And among those who have competed with ferocity are a few Mormon athletes.
1. Jason Smyth: Track and Field
Image from the42.ie
At 9 years old, Jason Smyth was diagnosed with an eye disease that reduces his vision. But that hasn't slowed him down.
Hailing from Ireland, Jason Smyth won the fifth gold medal of his career at the Rio Paralympics with a time of 10.64 seconds in the T13 100-meter event.
2. Todd Hodgetts: Track and Field
Image from alchetron.com
Todd Hodgetts won a bronze medal this weekend after competing in the shot put, F20 class, with a throw of 15.82 meters.
Originally from Australia, Hodgetts, 28, was diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome when he was 8 years old.
At the 2012 London Paralympics, Hodgetts threw a record-setting 16.29 meters to take home a gold medal.
3. David Blair: Track and Field
Image from teamusa.org
David Blair, 40, won a gold medal and set a world record in the discus F43/F44 class.
Blair was born with a club foot and recently began playing the sport again after 16 years.
Blair is from Utah and is a graduate of Weber State University. While attending Weber State University, Blair set several school records in the discus event.
4. Josh Wheeler: Rugby
Image from teamusa.org
Josh Wheeler, 36, took home a silver medal in wheelchair rugby after the match went into double overtime against Australia.
Wheeler was introduced to wheelchair rugby after he broke his neck in a motorcycle accident and lost function in his lower body, according to deseretnews.com.
Wheeler is from Arizona and has competed in several Paralympic games.
lead image from mormonnewsroom.uk
More medal updates to follow, let us know if we missed any in the comments.
