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Latter-day Saints in the Paralympics: 3 medals, plus records made in Tokyo

Paralympians connected to the Church took home gold in track and swimming, and silver in wheelchair rugby at the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo

The Paralympic Cauldron burns during the closing ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Credit: Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press
Jason Smyth of Israel celebrates winning the gold medal in the men's 100-meter - T13 final at the Olympic Stadium during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (Bob Martin for OIS via AP) Credit: Bob Martin for OIS via Associated Press
Tupou Neiufi of New Zealand holds her gold medal at the medal ceremony for the women's 100-meter backstroke - S8 Final, swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. (Thomas Lovelock for OIS via AP) Credit: Thomas Lovelock for OIS via Associated Press
U.S. players celebrate with their silver medal during the awarding ceremony of the wheelchair rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
Payden Vair (Olsen) Credit: Heidi Peters, Volleyball Canada
USA's Daryl Walker dives to save the ball during the Men's Goalball Bronze Medal match between United States and Lithuania during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Chiba, Japan, Friday Sept. 3, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP) Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press
USA’s David Blair gives a thumbs up at the beginning of the discus F44/F64 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
USA’s Eric Bennett competes in the mixed team recurve tournament at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Yumenoshima, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
United States’ Taylor Talbot prepares to race in her heat of the T13 women’s 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
Margarita Faundez of Chile and guide Francisco Segovia race in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Credit: Provided by Margarita Faundez
USA's S Jensen and China's Jing Bian compete in women's saber individual, category A preliminary wheelchair fencing at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, in Chiba, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) Credit: Kiichiro Sato, Associated Press
Alejandra Aybar Diaz of the Dominican Republic during a practice session at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 25, 2021. Credit: Provided by Alejandra Aybar Diaz via Instagram
New Zealand’s Todd Hodgetts celebrates during the men’s shot put F20 athletics final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
A woman takes a picture of the Paralympics symbol floating in the water in the Odaiba section in Tokyo, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The 2020 Summer Paralympics starts on Aug. 24. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
Jason Smyth of Ireland competes in the men's athletics 100m T13 round 1 heat 2 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (Thomas Lovelock for OIS via AP) Credit: Thomas Lovelock for OIS via Associated Press
United States' Isaac Jean-Paul, left, and Ireland's Jason Smyth compete in their heat of the T13 men's 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Credit: Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press
Tupou Neiufi of New Zealand prepares to swim in the women’s 100-meter backstroke S8 final, swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Credit: Lose Neiufi via The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Latter-day Saint swimmer Tupou Neiufi won is competing in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. Credit: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Joshua Wheeler of the United States passes the ball during the wheelchair rugby gold medal match against Britain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
U.S. players celebrate with their silver medal during the awarding ceremony of the wheelchair rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
Britain's Aaron Phipps, right, moves the ball against Joshua Wheeler of the United States during the wheelchair rugby gold medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
United States' Joshua Wheeler competes during a semifinal wheelchair rugby match against Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato) Credit: Kiichiro Sato, Associated Press
Joshua Wheeler of the United States holds the ball during a Wheelchair Rugby pool match against Canada at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
Joshua Wheeler of the United States carries a ball against Canada's defense during a Pool Phase Group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
Motion blur image taken during the Women's Bronze Medal Sitting Volleyball match between Brazil and Canada during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Chiba, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP) Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press
View of the action during the Women's Bronze Medal Sitting Volleyball match between Brazil and Canada at the Makuhari Messe Hall. Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Chiba, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP) Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press
Payden Vair (Olsen) Credit: Heidi Peters, Volleyball Canada
USA's Daryl Walker listens while waiting for the ball to come his way during the Men's Goalball Bronze Medal match between the United States and Lithuania during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Chiba, Japan, Friday Sept. 3, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP) Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press
USA’s Daryl Walker, right, prepares to serve during the first half of Team USA’s goalball match against Japan during the Paralympic Games in Tokyo on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolymics.com
A general view of the area from the roof during the Women's Goalball Gold Medal Match between the U.S. and Turkey at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. (Simon Bruty for OIS via AP) Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press
USA’s Eric Bennett, right, and teammate Emma Rose Ravish compete in the mixed team recurve tournament at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Yumenoshima, Japan, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
USA’s Eric Bennett competes in the men’s individual recurve 1/16 elimination at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Yumenoshima, Japan, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
United States’ Taylor Talbot prepares to race in her heat of the T13 women’s 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
United States’ Taylor Talbot competes in her heat of the T13 women’s 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
Margarita Faundez of Chile poses for a photo with the cauldron at the Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Tokyo. She and guide Francisco Segovia are scheduled race in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Gam Credit: Provided by Margarita Faundez
Margarita Faundez of Chile and guide Francisco Segovia wave prior to competing in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Credit: Screenshot via nbcolympics.com
Margarita Faundez of Chile and guide Francisco Segovia, back, compete in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Credit: Screenshot via nbcolympics.com
A staff member walks into the Olympic Stadium, the venue for athletic competitions, at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. Athletic competitions will start from Aug. 27. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Credit: AP
Shelby Jensen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, waits while competing in wheelchair fencing at the at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Credit: USA Fencing
Shelby Jensen, left, Ellen Geddes and Terry Hayes are part of Team USA’s wheelchair fencing team competing in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Credit: Ginny Boydston
Shelby Jensen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, a wheelchair fencer competing at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Credit: Austen Diamond
Shelby Jensen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, poses before the opening ceremonies on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. She is a wheelchair fencer competing at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Credit: USA Fencing
Alejandra Aybar Diaz of the Dominican Republic holds up her country’s flag during an announcement that she would be a flagbearer he 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Credit: Provided by Alejandra Aybar Diaz via Instagram
Alejandra Aybar Diaz of the Dominican Republic smiles as she enters for the women’s 100-meter butterfly S8 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
Swimmer Lourdes Alejandra Aybar, seated right, was one of the flag bears for her Dominican Republic during the he opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Credit: Screenshot via nbcolympics.com
Japan's Yui Kamiji, centre, Shunsuke Uchida, right, and Karin Morisaki light the Paralympic cauldron during the opening ceremony for the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press
New Zealand’s Todd Hodgetts during the men’s shot put F20 athletics final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
New Zealand’s Todd Hodgetts competes during the men’s shot put F20 athletics final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com
FILE - In this July 22, 2018, file photo, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic mascot "Someity" stands at stage during their debut event in Tokyo. Tokyo organizers said Monday, Aug. 16, 2021, what everyone expected: fans will be barred from the Paralympic Games during the pandemic, as they were from the just-completed Tokyo Olympics.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File) Credit: Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press
People walk by the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics symbol in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara) Credit: Koji Sasaha, Associated Press
Fireworks illuminate over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. (Joe Toth for OIS via AP) Credit: Joe Toth for OIS via Associated Press

From the track to the pool to the rugby court, three athletes connected to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints won medals at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Aside from the medal counts, athletes also made history for their countries in swimming and wheelchair fencing in a Paralympics known for the yearlong pandemic-related delays and protocols. Here’s how these 12 athletes from seven countries did at the Games.

The Paralympic Games have roots in the London Olympic Games in 1948 with the first competition for wheelchair athletes — 16 injured servicemen and servicewomen — in archery. The Stoke Mandeville Games became the Paralympic Games in 1960 in Rome, Italy, according to paralympic.org. These Games featured more than 500 events across 22 sports.

Jason Smyth

Jason Smyth of Ireland celebrates winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter – T13 final at the Olympic Stadium during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021.
Jason Smyth of Ireland celebrates winning the gold medal in the men’s 100-meter – T13 final at the Olympic Stadium during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. | Credit: Bob Martin for OIS via Associated Press

Ireland’s Jason Smyth narrowly defended his gold medal from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by one hundredth of a second in the 100-meter, T13 division (for visual impairments). His time of 10.53 seconds is his season’s best. It’s Smyth’s fourth consecutive Parlympic gold medal in the 100-meter, T13, race.

Smyth, 34, of Ireland, set both the world and Paralympic records of 10.46 seconds in the 2012 London Games. He won gold in the 100-meter, T13 division, in 2008 in Beijing, 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio. He was diagnosed with Stargardts disease when he was 8 years old and is legally blind.

Tupou Neiufi

Tupou Neiufi of New Zealand holds her gold medal at the medal ceremony for the women’s 100-meter backstroke S8 final, swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.
Tupou Neiufi of New Zealand holds her gold medal at the medal ceremony for the women’s 100-meter backstroke S8 final, swimming at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Friday, Aug. 27, 2021. | Credit: Thomas Lovelock for OIS via Associated Press

New Zealand swimmer Tupou Neiufi won gold in the 100-meter backstroke S8 (for physical impairments). The 20-year-old from South Auckland led during both pool lengths of the race and was emotional as she realized she had won gold. She also swam in the 50-meter freestyle S8 and was fifth in the finals.

It’s the second Paralympics for Neiufi. She was initially an alternate for the New Zealand team headed to the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. After a teammate’s injury, she joined the team and swam in three races. At the 2019 world championships in London, she was the silver medalist in the 100-meter backstroke S8 and eighth in the 50-meter freestyle S8.

When Neifu was 2 years old, she was involved in a hit-and-run accident that resulted in brain bruising and left-side paralysis. She had to relearn how to sit, walk and use her arms. She first tried netball and then swimming to help her after the accident. She began swimming at 10 years old and competing at 11.

Josh Wheeler

Josh Wheeler of the United States carries a ball against Canada’s defense during a Pool Phase Group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)
Josh Wheeler of the United States carries a ball against Canada’s defense during a Pool Phase Group match of Wheelchair Rugby at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) | Credit: Shuji Kajiyama, Associated Press

USA’s wheelchair rugby team, including Josh Wheeler, won silver medals after battling Great Britain in the match for the gold medal. They were undefeated until the gold medal match. Wheeler, 41, played in every match and was one of the team’s high scorers.

The Arizona resident broke his neck in a motorcycle accident 15 years ago that caused him to lose function in his lower body. He was part of the team that won silver in 2016 in Rio. Wheeler’s classification is a 2.5, with 3.5 the highest mobility, and teams are allowed four players with a total of up to 8 on the court.

Payden Vair

Canada’s Payden Vair (5), far left, serves during the women’s sitting volleyball semifinal match against China in at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Japan.
Canada’s Payden Vair (5), far left, serves during the women’s sitting volleyball semifinal match against China in at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Chiba, east of Tokyo, Japan. | Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com

Canada’s sitting volleyball team, including field player Payden Vair, was fourth of the eight women’s teams in the Paralympics. They lost to Brazil in the bronze medal match.

Vair, 22, of Alberta, is a serving specialist. She was a collegiate soccer player and was introduced to sitting volleyball following a lawn mower accident that resulted in the amputation of her right leg below her knee. Tokyo was her first Paralympics.

Sitting volleyball is similar to indoor volleyball and has a lower net (just higher than a meter, or about 41 inches, for women) and a slightly smaller court.

Daryl Walker

USA’s Daryl Walker dives to save the ball during the Men’s Goalball Bronze Medal match between United States and Lithuania during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Chiba, Japan, Friday Sept. 3, 2021.
USA’s Daryl Walker dives to save the ball during the Men’s Goalball Bronze Medal match between United States and Lithuania during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Chiba, Japan, Friday Sept. 3, 2021. | Credit: Simon Bruty for OIS via Associated Press

USA’s goalball team, including Daryl Walker, placed fourth of the 10 men’s teams in the Paralympics. They lost to Lithuania, the defending gold medal winner from 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in the bronze medal match. Walker, 39, who hails from Florida and trains in Indiana, has albinism that affects his eyesight and is legally blind. He was part of the team winning the silver medal in 2016.

Goalball, a game designed for the visually challenged, is played on a court about the size of a volleyball court with textured lines and a ball that’s about the size of a basketball with bells and holes in it. There are goals at each end of the court that span the 9-meter, or 29.5-foot, width of the court. Each team is allowed three players on the court and all players wear darkened visors, or eye shades, to equalize visual ability as they defend their goal that is the width of the court and 1.3 meters, or 1.4 yards, tall and throw the ball to score points.

David Blair

USA’s David Blair gives a thumbs up at the beginning of the discus F44/F64 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.
USA’s David Blair gives a thumbs up at the beginning of the discus F44/F64 final at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021. | Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com

At Olympic Stadium, USA’s David Blair was fourth of the five athletes with a throw of 53.18 meters, or 174.47 feet in the discus, in a mixed division of F44 and F64. Both divisions include lower limb deficiencies; F44 is where a prosthesis isn’t required and F64 is the one for when a prosthesis is required.

It was a rainy evening, making the throwing circle slippery.

Blair, 45, of Eagle Mountain, Utah, was the reigning gold medalist from 2016 in Rio and is the Paralympic record holder with 64.11 meters that still stands. He set the world record of 64.26 meters in May in Tucson, Arizona, at the USA Track and Field Throws Festival.

Blair, who was born with a club foot, was high school state champion in discus and received an athletics scholarship to Weber State University, setting records along the way. He picked up the sport after 16 years and then qualified to compete in Rio, where he set a Paralympic record. He’s been battling health challenges, including a broken foot in 2019, and COVID-19 in 2020 followed by appendicitis.

Eric Bennett

USA’s Eric Bennett competes in the men’s individual recurve 1/16 elimination at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Yumenoshima, Japan, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021.
USA’s Eric Bennett competes in the men’s individual recurve 1/16 elimination at the Yumenoshima Park Archery Field during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Yumenoshima, Japan, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. | Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com

USA’s Eric Bennett was back on the archery field for both the individual recurve and mixed recurve team tournaments. Bennett, 47, of Surprise, Arizona, was ninth overall in the men’s individual recurve competition. He won the match in the 1/16 elimination round and then lost in the 1/8th round to the archer who would win silver. In the team competition, he and teammate Emma Rose Ravish lost in the 1/8th elimination round to the team that would go on to win gold.

Tokyo was Bennett’s fourth Paralympics. He was eighth in the recurve division in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games and fourth in the 2012 Games in London. The high school physics and engineering teacher in 2019 won silver at the world championships. He lost his right arm above the elbow in a car accident when he was 15 and uses a mouth tab to pull back the string.

Taylor Talbot

United States’ Taylor Talbot prepares to race in her heat of the T13 women’s 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021.
United States’ Taylor Talbot prepares to race in her heat of the T13 women’s 100-meters during the 2020 Paralympics at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2021. | Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com

USA’s Taylor Talbot ran in both the 100-meter T13 (for visual impairments) and 400-meter T13 race heats, overall placing 17th and 13th, respectively. It was a rainy evening for the 400-meter T13 race.

Talbot, 20, of Oregon, has retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye condition, and is legally blind. When the Paralympic track and field team was announced, she was the final name on the roster. The next day, she was told that there was a calculation error and that she wasn’t on the team. The BYU–Idaho student was later named as an alternate and then given a direct invite to come to Tokyo.

Margarita Faundez

Margarita Faundez of Chile poses for a photo with the cauldron at the Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Tokyo. She and guide Francisco Segovia are scheduled race in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Margarita Faundez of Chile poses for a photo with the cauldron at the Paralympic Games opening ceremonies in Tokyo. She and guide Francisco Segovia are scheduled race in the women’s athletics 1,500-meter T11 round 1 heat 1 at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. | Credit: Provided by Margarita Faundez

Chile’s Margarita Faundez had a season’s best time of 5:46.50 in the 1,500-meter, T11 (for visual impairments) preliminary heats as she raced with guide Francisco Segovia. Race guides, who are connected to the runner at the hand or wrist, are required in the T11 division. She was 10th overall.

Faundez, 33, of Santiago, was diagnosed at 5 years old with retinitis pigmentosa, which is a degenerative eye disorder. Tokyo is her second Paraympics. She won bronze in the 1,500-meter race T11 at the 2019 Parapan American Games. She’s had multiple health challenges as she prepared for the Paralympics.

Shelby Jensen

Shelby Jensen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, poses before the opening ceremonies on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. She is a wheelchair fencer competing at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Shelby Jensen, of Salt Lake City, Utah, poses before the opening ceremonies on Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. She is a wheelchair fencer competing at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. | Credit: USA Fencing

When USA’s Shelby Jensen and teammates Ellen Geddes and Terry Hayes competed in the women’s team foil tournament and the women’s team epee, they were first to represent the USA in the team competitions since 2004. They were eighth and seventh, respectively.

Jensen, 20, competed in the individual saber and epee, category A, tournaments, overall placing 15th and 12th respectively. Athletes who have a Category A classification have good sitting balance — with or without leg support — and a normal fencing arm.

Jensen, of Salt Lake City, who is a five-time national champion, is paralyzed on her right side due to strokes she had when she was 7 years old. She started fencing when she was 15 and fences left-handed. The first-time Paralympian is engaged and planning a September wedding.

Each fencer is seated in a wheelchair fastened to the floor and can move their upper bodies as they attack, guard, parry and engage.

The epee is the heaviest of the three fencing weapons and is like a dueling sword. The sabre is derived from the cavalry sword. The foil is the lightest of the three weapons, and is derived from a court sword, according to olympics.com.

Alejandra Aybar Diaz

Alejandra Aybar Diaz of the Dominican Republic during a practice session at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 25, 2021.
Alejandra Aybar Diaz of the Dominican Republic during a practice session at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 25, 2021. | Credit: Provided by Alejandra Aybar Diaz via Instagram

Alejandra Aybar Diaz became the first swimmer representing her native Dominican Republic to compete in the Paralympics and was one of her country’s flag bearers at the opening ceremonies. She swam in the 50-meter freestyle S8 (for physical impairments) and 100-meter breaststroke SB6 (for physical impairments) heats and was 13th and 11th overall. She was eighth in the 100-meter butterfly S8 (for physical impairments) final.

This is the 32-year-old industrial engineer’s first Paralympics. Aybar is 4 foot 3 inches tall, has brittle bone disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as crystal bone disease.

Todd Hodgetts

New Zealand’s Todd Hodgetts celebrates during the men’s shot put F20 athletics final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021.
New Zealand’s Todd Hodgetts celebrates during the men’s shot put F20 athletics final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. | Credit: screenshot via nbcolympics.com

Australia’s Todd Hodgetts was one of the three throwers in the shot put F20 (for intellectual impairments) who were disqualified for reportedly failing to meet call room timings. The trio were allowed to compete under protest.

According to his social media postings, Hodgetts was seventh of the eight throwers. On the official results, it’s listed as a DNS, or did not start. A formal protest was filed by Athletics Australia, which was denied and the DNS will stand in the results.

Hodgetts, 33, of Melbourne, Australia, won gold in the shot put F20 division at the 2012 London Paralympic Games — and set a world record. In 2016 at the Rio Games, he won bronze. Nicknamed “The Hulk,” Hodgetts was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome when he was 8 years old.

Fireworks illuminate over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021.
Fireworks illuminate over the Olympic Stadium during the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021. | Credit: Joe Toth for OIS via Associated Press
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