We have a paralympian in our midst!
by Jim
Paralympian Austin Hanson, 38, has spent years and years in boccia ball training with his father here at Easter Seals Capper Foundation and at a local YMCA. and now he’s heading to the 2012 Paralympics in London! Austin is the only American to qualify in boccia this year, but, amazingly, it is the third time he has competed in the Paralympics.
Boccia is a sport similar to bocce, and it’s open to athletes with physical disabilities — Austin uses a device to communicate, and he uses a headstick to aim his boccia ball. He’s an incredible athlete, and he returned from the boccia National Championship games in Chicago at the end of July with Gold Medals in singles and in pairs. From a story in the Topeka Capital-Journal:
Hanson, the No. 1-ranked player in the country for the past 17 years, won his fifth straight national singles title Sunday, and has won nine of the last 10 and 11 overall. Winning pairs with Christine Beck, of Chicago, he now has 11 national titles in pairs play.
Austin will head off to London this week so he can be there for the opening ceremonies on August 29. He’s ranked 21st in the world and will compete in singles play, which starts September 5.
When we asked Austin’s father Gary if he, his wife, daughter or Austin’s significant other will be texting, facebook-updating or tweeting while at the Paralympics (so we could all arrange to follow them), Gary said he is just learning how to do this — so we’ll see. If all else fails, we’ll just have to catch Austin online, or on TV! The United States Olympic Committee has announced that they’ll create original video content for the U.S. Paralympics YouTube channel, and that NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) will air one-hour highlight shows on September 4, 5, 6 and 11 at 7 p.m. EDT.
We’re behind you all the way — go, Austin, go!