They’re taking charge!
Here is a roundup of 8 Black women Paralympians to look out for in Tokyo, as reported by Yahoo! Life.
The Paralympic Games are an international sports competition for athletes with varying disabilities. The summer and winter games occur every two years, including most of the same athletic events at the Olympics. This year’s 2021 games are set to begin in Tokyo, and the following eight Black women representing Team USA are the ones to look out for.
From track and field to volleyball, these Paralympians are breaking world records, raking up medals, and debuting on the world’s biggest stage. Here is a roundup of the 8 Black women Paralympians to look out for.
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She was diagnosed with autism at the age of four and ran track in high school and college. Clark is the daughter of Olympic medalist Rosalyn Clark and her husband Gary Clark. She took home a gold medal in 2016 in the T20 400m sprint 40 years after her mother.
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The first time Paralymipian was born with Erb's Palsy which affects her left shoulder and arm. She is currently majoring in exercise science at Eastern Michigan University. Mason will be competing against Deja Young in the T47 100m sprint. In 2019, she set the world record in the event, clocking in at 11.89.
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Young was born with brachial plexus that caused nerve damage and limited mobility to her right shoulder. She is a two-time gold medalist, following her winning the T47 100m and 200m at the 2016 Paralympics.
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Ayanbeku lost her right leg below-the-knee after a car accident when she was 11 years old. She is a two-time Paralympian, competing in the 2016 Paralympics and will represent Team USA in Tokyo, running the T64 100m and 200m sprints. She previously broke a 15-year-old American record in the 100m during the Paralympic Trials.
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Roberts was born with cerebral palsy, which was caused by a stroke at birth. Her cerebral palsy impairs her muscle coordination. This is her first Paralympic Games. She’ll be competing in several events including the T37 long jump and 100m and 200m sprints.
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Nieves was born without her left hand and represents Team USA in sitting volleyball. She won gold with the team previously in 2016, making history as the first time the US women’s team ever took home gold in the event. She coaches volleyball and is the director and founder of Limitless People Inc. Nonprofit.
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Williams was born without her lower left arm. She is a two time Paralympian and previously placed fifth in the T47 long jump at the 2016 Paralympics. She’s coming for a podium spot this year.
A sitting volleyball player, Dosty (far right in the photo) will also be competing in her first Paralympics as an outside hitter for Team USA.
Congratulations, ladies! We wish you all the very best!
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo!/Paralympic/Runners World/Warner University