Biography
Started: He took up running at age eight through the Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program in Shirley, NY, United States of America. (teamusa.org, 16 Jul 2015)
Reason: He was encouraged to take up the sport by his father Kevin, who had attended a work function and overheard a man talking about an athletics team that integrated athletes with a physical or intellectual impairment. (si.com, 04 Feb 2015)
Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (northportjournal.com, 14 Aug 2023)
Milestones: He became the first athlete representing the United States of America to win gold in the T20 1500m at the Paralympic Games by claiming victory at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 13 Mar 2021; autism-light.blogspot.com, 15 Jul 2020)
Awards: In 2017 he was named Male Paralympic Athlete of the Year by Team USA. (northportjournal.com, 14 Aug 2023)
He was named a 2014 US Paralympics Track and Field High School All-American in the 800m and 1500m. (teamusa.org, 15 Sep 2014)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateNovember 12, 1996
Place of ResidenceEAST NORTHPORT, NY
EducationSuffolk County Community College, United States
Languages SpokenEnglish
CoachSonja Robinson [personal], from 2015
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | 1500m - T20 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | 3:51.73 |
| 4 | 1500m - T20 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | 3:58.43 |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | 1500m - T20 | 2024 | Kobe, JPN | 3:51.71 |
| 1 | 1500m - T20 | 2017 | London, GBR | 3:53.05 |
| 1 | Men's 800m T20 | 2017 | London, GBR | 1:54.24 |
| 1 | 1500m - T20 | 2015 | Doha, QAT | 3:56.50 |
| 2 | 1500m - T20 | 2023 | Paris, FRA | 3:53.50 |
| 2 | Men's 5000m T20 | 2017 | London, GBR | 14:39.87 |
| 2 | Men's 5000m T20 | 2015 | Doha, QAT | 15:50.99 |
| 14 | 1500m - T20 | 2019 | Dubai, UAE | 4:10.99 |
