Loss of independence is an upsetting and difficult stage for those who become visually impaired. Last year, ultra-runner, Jason Romero, experienced this uncomfortable setback when he lost his job and stopped driving due to rapid deterioration in his eyesight. When faced with this sudden loss of independence, Romero slipped into depression. He struggled to stay motivated in a sport he had been introduced to by his uncle that had become his life, ultra-athletics. In the months following, he gained courage through support and encouragement from the visually impaired community and became resilient in proving anything is possible for those who…
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Written by: Ryan Lucas; Special Contributor Track back to last July, when close ties half a world apart led to interrelated moments of joy. The United States Women’s National Goalball Team had just celebrated a gold medal performance at the 2014 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball World Championships in Espoo, Finland. Undismayed after three losses in its first four games, the squad rallied to secure its fifth consecutive medal at worlds and first gold medal at the event since 2002, thereby qualifying for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Goalball is a Paralympic sport played by athletes who are blind and visually…
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U.S. Paralympics recently announced its National Teams for track & field and swimming for the upcoming 2015 season. Congrats to everyone who was named and special congratulations to athletes with visual impairments striving for their elite competition goals! Click here for a complete list of the U.S. Track & Field National Team and here for a complete list of the U.S. Swimming National Team. Track & Field National Team: Stephanie Timmer; F11 (Naperville, Ill.) David Brown; T11/F11 (St. Louis, Mo.) Elexis Gillette; T11/F11 (Raleigh, N.C.) Jerome Avery; Guide (Lemoore, Calif.) Rolland Slade; Guide (San Diego, Calif.) Wes Williams; Guide (Visalia,…
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With a successful day of competition on Saturday, July 19, the Rocky Mountain State Games—a Colorado-based, multi-sport event that spans two weekends—witnessed goalball for the first time since 1990. Veterans, athletes, staff, coaches and officials from across the country attended a 3-day clinic leading up to the tournament. Five teams in total competed in the day-long competition. Congratulations to all teams who participated and to the staff, coaches, officials and volunteers that made this tournament possible. Check out our Facebook page to view pictures as well as news videos and articles from local media. Below are the tournament results: 1st Place –…
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The 2014 USA Cycling Para-cycling Road National Championships took place in Madison, Wisconsin on July 4-6. USABA had 14 tandem teams compete with nine men’s teams and five women’s teams. Congratulations to all who competed in the road race and time trial events, to include the 2014 National Champions and medal winners. Below are all results. Time Trial – Men’s Division 1. Clark Rachfal & David Swanson (0:34:33.83) 2. Lance Footer & Shawn Olin (0:35:11.59) 3. Chester Triplett & Reuben Howden (0:36:01.59) 4. Kurt Page & Davian Robinson (0:36:20.54) 5. Timothy Jones & Gregory Miller (0:37:30.67) 6. Kevin Meyers &…
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