2022 Sports Photojournalist of the Year

First Place

Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Second Place

Singles
Kids play soccer while a rainstorm is moving in their direction on June 9, 2021 at sportsplace in Riechheim, Germany.

09/06/2021-Riechheim: Kinder spielen Fussball auf einem Sportplatz in Riechheim whrend im Hintergrund eine Gewitterfront mit Starkregen vorbei zieht. (Foto: Sascha Fromm / Thueringer Allgemeine)
Rene Wassing #132 in action during the German qualification event in trap/skeet shooting for the upcoming European Shooting Championships 2021 at Shooting Sports Center in Suhl, Germany on April 25, 2021.
Swimmers prepare for their start prior to the competition at the Roland Matthes Schwimmhalle on April 24, 2021 in Erfurt, Germany.
Janni Reisenauer of Austria in action during the FIS Cup Ski Jumping competition at Schanze im Kanzlersgrund in Oberhof on February 28, 2021.
Elina Ieva Vitola of Latvia crashes during the womens race of the Nations Cup, the qualifying for the luge World Cup on January 15, 2021 in Oberhof, Germany.
Nils Mnzberg of Erfurt enters the ice prior the Oberliga match between the TecArt Black Dragons and Herforder Ice Dragonson February 21, 2021 at Kartoffehalle in Erfurt, Germany.
Leopold Heinrich of Erfurter SSC in action during the water polo pre-season game between Erfurter SSC and Eisenacher SSV on July 10, 2021 at Roland Matthes swimming pool in Erfurt, Germany.
20/11/2021-Greiz: Ringen - DRB 1. Bundesliga -Staffel Ost 2021/22 / Kampftag / Sporthalle an der Eisbahn / im Foto: Freistil 71 kg / Abdul Hadi Galamatov (RSV Rotation Greiz / rotes Trikot) gewinnt den Kampf gegen Tim Ullrich (FC Erzgebirge Aue / blaues Trikot) (Foto: Sascha Fromm / Thueringer Allgemeine)

Abdul Hadi Galamatov (red) of Greiz in action vs Tim Ullrich (blue) of Aue during Men's Freestyle 71kg Bundesliga match at Sporthalle an der Eisbahn on November 20, 2021 in Greiz, Germany.
Clemens Valentin Hochfeld #49 of the Erfurt Indigos breaks up a pass intended fo Fabian Wolter #81 of the Jenaer Hanfrieds during the Regionalliga Ost game at sportsp place Essener Strasse on October 11, 2021 in Erfurt, Germany.
Competitors in action during the Womens German Derny Cup race at cycling track Andreasried on Septrember 3, 2021 in Erfurt, Germany.
Enzo Herrschaft of Erfurt and Mickey Bastings of Tilburg fight against each other during the Oberliga game between the TecArt Black Dragons and Tilburg Trappers on November 6, 2021 at Kartoffehalle in Erfurt, Germany.
Nika Vetrih of Slovenia soars through the air in front of the sun during the FIS-Continental Cup competition in Brotterode on February 20, 2021.

20/02/2021-Brotterode: Skispringen - FIS Continental Cup 2021 auf der Inselbergschanze / Im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm / Thueringer Allgemeine)
Anna-Maria Spielvogel of Wildungen Vipers try to stop Dominika Zachova #8 of Thueringer HC during the Handball Bundesliga match between Thueringer HC and HSG Bad Wildungen Vipers at Salzahalle on October 30, 2021 in Bad Langensalza, Germany.
Athletes lays and sit in the snow after crossing the finish line during the women's 12.5km mass start race at the Biathlon World Cup in Oberhof, Germany on January 17, 2021.
The team of Rosatal celebrate with fans after winning the local semifinal soccer cup match between SG SV Jahn 07 Rosatal and SG Helba at sports place in Rossdorf , Germany on June 27, 2021
Daniel Hergenhan #7 from Leina walks trough the trees near the pitch after picking up the ball from a wood during a locoal soccer match between SpG SG Leina II and SG SV Union Friemar on August 21, 2021 in Catterfeld, Germany.
Christian Erhardt #13 from Auerstedt up side down after scoring his first goal during a locoal soccer match between FC Auerstedt an SV BW Schmiedehausen II on August 13, 2021at sportsplace in Auerstedt, Germany.

13/08/2021-Auerstedt: Fussball 2. Kreisklasse Staffel A / 1. Spieltag / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Auerstedt / FC Auerstedt - SV BW Schmiedehausen 2.
2:1 / Staffel-ID: 659007 / Spiel: 659007001 / Schiedsrichter: Philipp Hfner, Linienrichter: Johann Scharf, Andre Poller / Zuschauer: 136 / im Foto: Christian Erhardt #13 (FC Auerstedt) erzielt in dieser Szene den 1:0-Treffer fuer Auerstedt, Torhter Ralf Vetter #21 (SV BW Schmiedehausen 2.), rechts, ist dabei machtlos. (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/fc-auerstedt-sv-bw-schmiedehausen-2/-/spiel/02F41UC6VS000000VS5489B3VTRLPP90#!/
A dog and substitutes of Mellingen watch the local football game between SSV BG Mellingen and FSV GW Blankenhain at sports place Auf der Burg in Mellingen , Germany on September 5, 2021.

05/09/2021-Mellingen: Fussball 1. Kreisklasse Mitte / 3. Spieltag / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Auf der Burg / SSV BG Mellingen - FSV GW Blankenhain 2 3:0 / Staffel-ID: 659004 / Spiel: 659004017 / Schiedsrichter: Frank Colberg / im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/ssv-bg-mellingen-fsv-gw-blankenhain-2/-/spiel/02F2NLP3L4000000VS5489B4VS0OFO4E#!/
A Player of Helba trys to shoot a corner kick during the local semifinal soccer cup match between SG SV Jahn 07 Rosatal and SG Helba at sports place in Rossdorf , Germany on June 27, 2021.
Mohammad Khir Turkieh #27 from Camburg walks from the pitch in front of the old tribune after the locoal soccer match between SV Eintracht Camburg and SG SV Hermsdorf/Thüringen e.V. on August 13, 2021at sportsplace in Camburg, Germany.

13/08/2021-Camburg: Fussball Kreisoberliga Jena-Saale-Orla / 1. Spieltag / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Camburg / SV Eintracht Camburg - SG SV Hermsdorf/Thüringen e.V. 3:4 / Staffel-ID: 650368 / Spiel: 650368001 / Schiedsrichter: Marcus Hölbig Linienrichter: Frank Fiedler, Andreas John / Zuschauer 400 / im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/sv-eintracht-camburg-sg-sv-hermsdorf-thueringen-ev/-/spiel/02F22NSSR0000000VS5489B3VT1OC9J9#!/
A cow looks on from behind a tree during a local soccer match between FSV Eintracht Wechmar and SV Fortuna Ermstedt on August 1, 2021 at Sportsplace in Wechmar, Germany.

07/08/2021-Schwarzhausen: Fussball Freundschaftsspiel / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Wechmar, Rom 29, 99869 Drei Gleichen / FSV Eintracht Wechmar - SV Fortuna Ermstedt I 5:1 / Staffel-ID: 850002 / Spiel: 850002101 / Schiedsrichter: Rene Grbel / Zuschauer: 35 / im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/fsv-eintracht-wechmar-sv-fortuna-ermstedt-i/-/spiel/02ET8JI4JK000000VS5489B3VUK1A2F6#!/
Goalkeeper Kevin Nespetha #1 of Droyßig awaits the ball after falling in a small stream during a local soccer match between SG Rüdersdorf/Kraftsdorf vs. Droyßiger SG on July 3, 2021 at Sportsplace Am Erlbach in Kraftsdorf, Germany.

03/07/2021-Kraftsdorf: Fussball Freundschaftsspiel Kreis Ostthüringen / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Am Erlbach / SG Rüdersdorf/Kraftsdorf vs. Droyßiger SG / Staffel-ID: 850003 / Spiel: 850003050 / Schiedsrichter: Wolfgang Lohmann / im Foto: Torhüter Kevin Nespetha #1 (Droyßiger SG) holt den Ball aus dem Erlbach. (Foto: Sascha Fromm)
A soccer fan watches an action during the locoal soccer match between SV 48 Ostramondra and SV Concordia Riethnordhausen on October 9, 2021 at sportsplace in Ostramondra, Germany.

09/10/2021-Ostramondra: Fussball 2. Kreisklasse Staffel II / Saison 2021-2022 / 6. Spieltag / SV 48 Ostramondra - SV Conc. Riethnordhausen II 3:0 / / Staffel-ID: 650414 / Spiel: 650414028 / Schiedsrichter: Fritz Nichelmann / Zuschauer 78 / im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm)
Arial view during the locoal soccer match between SV Eintracht Camburg and SG SV Hermsdorf/Thüringen e.V. on August 13, 2021at sportsplace in Camburg, Germany.

13/08/2021-Camburg: Fussball Kreisoberliga Jena-Saale-Orla / 1. Spieltag / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Camburg / SV Eintracht Camburg - SG SV Hermsdorf/Thüringen e.V. 3:4 / Staffel-ID: 650368 / Spiel: 650368001 / Schiedsrichter: Marcus Hölbig Linienrichter: Frank Fiedler, Andreas John / Zuschauer 400 / im Foto: (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/sv-eintracht-camburg-sg-sv-hermsdorf-thueringen-ev/-/spiel/02F22NSSR0000000VS5489B3VT1OC9J9#!/
Francis Holzhuser #11 of Waltershausen celebrates after soring a goal during the locoal soccer match between SpG SG Fortuna Remstdt - FSV Waltershausen II on October 24, 2021 at sportsplace in Gnthersleben, Germany.

24/10/2021-Remstdt: Fussball Kreisliga Staffel I / 9. Spieltag / Rasenplatz, Sportplatz Gnthersleben / SpG SG Fortuna Remstdt - FSV Waltershausen II 5:2 / Staffel-ID: 650378 / Spiel: 650378062 / Schiedsrichter: Max Graf / Zuschauer 50 / im Foto: Francis Holzhuser #11 (FSV Waltershausen) erzielt in dieser Szene den 2:4-Treffer fr Waltershausen. (Foto: Sascha Fromm)

https://www.fussball.de/spiel/spg-sg-fortuna-remstaedt-fsv-waltershausen-ii/-/spiel/02F3T6LH1K000000VS5489B4VVD6BKS7#!/
Photo-Story about the four-year-old motocross rider Luca Albrecht who has been riding a motorcycle since he was two years old. He lives with his parents Julia Rauch and Kevin Albrecht in Viernau, in southern Thuringia in Germany. The family's father, grandpa, uncle and cousins also ride motorcycles themselves. Luca trains almost every day with his Husqvarna TC50 in the Viernau Saugraben on the Motocross track run by Endurofreunde Haselgrund e.V. In August this year, Luca drove his first official race and, in 5th place, also got his first trophy.

Luca in action during a training session on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Photo-Story about the four-year-old motocross rider Luca Albrecht who has been riding a motorcycle since he was two years old. He lives with his parents Julia Rauch and Kevin Albrecht in Viernau, in southern Thuringia in Germany. The family's father, grandpa, uncle and cousins also ride motorcycles themselves. Luca trains almost every day with his Husqvarna TC50 in the Viernau Saugraben on the Motocross track run by Endurofreunde Haselgrund e.V. In August this year, Luca drove his first official race and, in 5th place, also got his first trophy.

In this photo: Luca in action during a training session on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Mother Julia Rauch puts a cap on her son Luca while Fahter Kevin Albrecht prepares the motorcycle for the training session on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Luca jump in his bed with his first ever trophy wich he had won after a 5th place in his first offical race in last August on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Luca in action during a training session. Three times 10 minutes are on the schedule this dayon September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
A cardboard figure on the shelf in his children's room shows Ken Roczen, the youngest motocross world champion also from Thuringia and today's superstar of the sceneon September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Luca in the kitchen with a toy motorcycle on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
A tape with the label "Start your Engine" hangs on the front door key when Luca storms out of the house on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Mother and father watch four-year-old Luca fly through the air after jumping on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
In the garage, Luca has to stretch to get to the handlebars of his father's motorcycle on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Luca full concentrated during the training sessionon September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
Father Kevin helps Luca get on his motorcycle. Small additionally attached blocks compensate some missing centimeters on September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.
After a training session Luca jumps from the podium in the arms of his father Kevinon September 19, 2021 in Viernau, Germany.

Sascha Fromm/Thüringer Allgemeine

Third Place

LOS ANGELES, CA - 7 NOVEMBER: General Views of the Los Angeles Marathon Presented by ASICS on November 7, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.The LA marathon was postponed from March to November due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
TODO SANTOS - JANUARY 11: Greg Long paddles into and drops into the wave of the year at Todos Santos a.k.a "Killers" on January 11, 2021 in Mexico. At 37 years old, Long started surfing Todos when he was 15 years old, and is still widely regarded as one of the best big wave surfers in the world,
LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 30: Paraglider Alex T. Allen flies hundreds of feet above the Pacific Ocean at Sunset on January 30, 2021 in La Jolla, California. Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometres, though flights of one to two hours and covering some tens of kilometres are more the norm. By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand metres.
2021 La Jolla Paragliders
Credit: Donald Miralle
Patrick Reed tees off 7th hole
MAMMOTH LAKES, CA - APRIL 15: 2x Olympic runner Sarah Attar runs through the Eastern Sierras on April 15, 2021. Attar moved to Mammoth Lakes to train at elevation with to train full-time with distance runners including Olympian Deena Kastor, the wife of her coach Andrew Kastor. Attar was one of the first two female Olympians representing Saudi Arabia first in the 2012 London Olympics in Track & Field and then again in 2016 in the Marathon. Prior to June 2012, the Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee had banned the Kingdom's females from competing at the Olympics, but the International Olympic Committee had threatened to ban Saudi Arabia from the Olympic Games unless it allowed its women to compete. During the Opening Ceremonies' Parade of Nations, Attar and Shaherkani, the only two females in the Saudi Arabian delegation, were forced to walk behind their male teammates, unlike women in delegations from other Islamic nations.
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 19: Wide Receiver Russell Gage #14 of the Atalanta FAlcons drags Safety
Talanoa Hufanga of the San Francisco 49ers during the 49ers 31-13 win during their NFL game on December 19, 2021 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
ST. GEORGE, UT - MAY 1: during 70.3 IRONMAN North American Championships on May 1, 2021 in St. George, Utah. (Photo by Donald Miralle for Asics)
ST. GEORGE, UT - MAY 1: during 70.3 IRONMAN North American Championships on May 1, 2021 in St. George, Utah. (Photo by Donald Miralle for Asics)
ST. GEORGE, UT - MAY 1: during 70.3 IRONMAN North American Championships on May 1, 2021 in St. George, Utah. (Photo by Donald Miralle for Asics)
Blind runner Kym Crosby-Hightower poses for a portrait at the Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego, California. Born with albinism that leaves her without pigment in her skin, hair or eyes, Kym is legally blind with 20/400 vision. But she didn’t let that slow her down, receiving a track scholarship to compete for California State University, Chico and went on to win a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and then two bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics

Ky's husband, Erik Hightower is also a 3x Paralympian for the US, and a Silver Medalist in the World Championships.
Portrait of Rudy Garcia-Tolson holding an American flag at the Challenged Athletes Foundation in San Diego, California. Since his first Paralympic Games representing the United States in 2004 at the age of 16, Garcia-Tolson has become an ambassador for Paralympic sport. Born with multiple birth defects, including Pterygium Syndrome, a club foot, webbed fingers and a cleft lip and palate. Garcia-Tolson endured 15 surgeries by the age of five before telling his parents he'd rather have a double leg amputation. When he was 8 years old, Rudy stated that he wanted to compete at the Paralympic Games and eight years later, he made good on his promise when he swam to gold at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Since then, Garcia-Tolson has added more Paralympic medals to his collection and accomplished more in his career, including becoming the world's first double above-knee amputee to complete an Ironman triathlon in 2009.
TOKYO - AUGUST 2: Competitors leap over the water jump during the Men’s 3,000m Steeplechase Final during the Athletics competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 2, 2020 in Tokyo Japan. Taking the lead for the first time over the final water jump, Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco won the men’s 3,000-meter steeplechase final in 8:08.90 on August 2 at the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
TOKYO - JULY 29: Vladislava Urazova of the Russian Olympic Committee performs her floor exercise routine in front of masked judges during the Women's Individual All-Around Final at Ariake Gymnastics Centre during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games on July 29, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
TOKYO - AUGUST 5: Portugal’s Pedro Pichardo wins the Olympic triple jump title with a national record best leap of 17.98m during the Men’s Triple Jump Final during the Athletics competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 5, 2020 in Tokyo Japan.
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 30: Caeleb Dressel of the United States breaks out of the water at the start en route to winning the Semifinal of the Men's 100m Butterfly in a New Olympic Record of 49.71 on day seven of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 30, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Dressel went on to win the Gold Medal the next day.
TOKYO - JULY 23: Victoria Thornley of Great Britain and Claire Ayivon of Togo competes in the women's single sculls rowing heats as a large ship passes behind them during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Sea Forest Waterway in Tokyo on July 23, 2021.
TOKYO - JULY 24: (L-R) Gold Medalist winner Richard Carapaz of Ecuador, Alberto Bettiol of Italy, bronze medalist and Tour De France winner Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia, Nairo Quintana of Columbia, and Silver medalist Wout van Aert of Belgium, ride downhill in a tight pack with the iconic Mt. Fuji in the background during the Men’s Cycling Road Race Final competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on July 24, 2020 in Tokyo Japan.
TOKYO - AUGUST 6: Team Canada reacts to winning the goal medal against Team Sweden during the sudden death Penalty Kick Shootout in the Women’s Gold Medal Soccer Game Final at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 6, 2020 at International Stadium Yokohama in Tokyo. Team Cananda won on the final penalty kick by 20-year-old midfielder Julia Grosso, blasting a low shot that Swedish goalie Hedvig Lindahl managed to get a glove on.
TOKYO - AUGUST 5: Adam Ondra of the Czech Republic leaps tp make a one-hand grab during the Men’s Combined Climbing Final during at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 5, 2020 in Tokyo Japan. Ondra finished 6th.
TOKYO, JAPAN - JULY 26: Henri Schoeman of Team South Africa and Jonathan Brownlee of Team Great Britain dive into the water at the start of the Men's Individual Triathlon on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Odaiba Marine Park on July 26, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
TOKYO - JULY 30: Japan's Kazuyasu Minobe holds national flag as he celebrate after winning against Russia's in the men's epee team gold medal bout during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, on July 30, 2021.
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 02: Gold medalist Marlene Gansewinkel of the Netherlands runs to win the Women's 100m - T64 Semi-Final of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 2, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. The 2018 Dutch Paralympian of the Year, Gansewinkel was born without her lower left leg and lower left arm, and went on to win gold in the 100M & 200m, as well as a bronze in the long jump in Tokyo 2020.

The athletes run over the symbol of the Paralympic Games the agitos meaning “I move" in Latin and is a symbol of movement in the shape of an asymmetrical crescent. The shape also symbolises the Paralympic vision "To enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world".
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 1: Alexa Szvitacs of Team Hungary serves the ball during the Women's Doubles table tennis match at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on September 1, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. The 29-year-old, Szvitacs was an elite table tennis player for Hungary, a familiar face on the ITTF circuit for many years. But in the summer of 2018, she was affected by an illness that resulted in life-threatening complications, and the loss of her left forearm and parts of both feet. Competing at only her second Para table tennis competition, the 2019 European Championships in September in Helsingbord, Sweden; she won gold in the women's singles class 9 category and a coveted qualifying spot at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo next year.

For Hungary's Alexa Szvitacs, Para table tennis had given her hope that she could still compete in her sport at a high level.
Jessica Long of the USA dives into the water for her final Paralympic swim of her career and golf medal in the Women’s 100M Butterfly - S8 - Final during the Tokyo Paralympic Games on September 3, 2021. Adopted by American parents at the age of 13 months from a Russian foster care after her parents abandoned her, Jessica Long had her lower legs amputated when she was 18 months because of fibular hemimelia. Now at 29 years of age, Jessica Long has gone to 5 Paralympics, winning 29 medals, 16 of them gold, making her one of the most successful Paralympians in history.
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 03: Josia Tim Alexander Topf of Team Germany takes his final breathe coming into the wall to finish the Men's 200m Freestyle - S3 Heat 1 on day 10 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Tokyo Aquaticss Center on September 03, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.

Topf was born with dysmelia, a congenital limb deficiency, resulting in him missing joints in all four limbs, with only hands and shortened legs coming from his torso. His father taught him to swim at age five. “Swimming improves my health condition. I am much more free in the water than on land, I can do whatever I want - spin, turn, twist. Whatever I want to do [in the water], I can do it."
Brent Lakatos of Canada competes in the rain during the men's 800M T53 Final during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo on September 5, 2021. When Lakatos was six years-old a freak ice-skating accident resulted in the formation of a blood clot on his spine that left his legs paralyzed. Lakatos has represented Canada at three Summer Paralympics, and at the 2012 Games he won three silver medals in the sprint and mid-distance events. In 2013 Lakatos reached the pinnacle of his sport when he collected four gold medals at the IPC Athletics World Championships and became world champion at his classification in the 100m, 200m and 400m events.
The T53 class includes people with a number of different types of disabilities including spinal cord injuries, that have full use of their arms but have no or limited trunk function.
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 03: Blind runner Liu Cuiqing of China prepares to start by having her guide place her in the starting block during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 3, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Chinese sprinter Liu Cuiqing broke her own Paralympic record to become champion at the women's 400m T11 Finals. Liu said she could not have achieved her 56.25-second finish without Xu Donglin, the guide runner she describes as “literally my eyes”. After earning her gold medal in the women’s 400m T11, Liu went on to take silver in the 100m T11.
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 05: Two-Time Wheelchair basketball Gold Medalist Brian Bell #8 of Team United States celebrates by climbing the ladder and doing the traditional cutting down the net after defeating Team Japan during the men's Wheelchair Basketball gold medal game on day 12 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Ariake Arena on September 05, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Bell lost his leg at the age of 10 due to a train accident, but immediately after rehabilitation got involved again with playing his favorite sports: basketball and football.
Damian Lopez Alfonzo of Cuba competes in the Men’s C1-3 Road Race completing 79.2km in heavy rain and fog during the Tokyo Paralympic Games on September 2, 2021. When Alfonzo was 13 he was involved in a horrible accident, a building explosion that blew out power lines, sending 13,000 volts surged through Alfonso’s body, melting his face, arms, and leg. He was on life support for 52 days, in critical condition for three months. But when he recovered he engineered a bike he could ride with his disabilities and began competing in races.
Abdelhadi El Harti of Morocco runs past the entrance of Zojoji temple in the men's marathon T46 event during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo on September 5, 2021. Abdelhadi El Harti of Morocco runs past the entrance of Zojoji temple in the men's marathon T46 event during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo on September 5, 2021. Harti was born with a limb deficiency (left arm) but that never held him back from competition. He has competed in able-bodied athletics, and placed 26th at the 2016 Marrakech Marathon in Morocco and speaks three languages.
TOKYO, JAPAN - SEPTEMBER 01: Trenten Merrill of Team United States reacts after winning the bronze medal after competing in the Men's Long Jump - T64 Final on day 8 of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at Olympic Stadium on September 01, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan.
Trenten grew up surfing, playing soccer, and riding dirt bikes. While riding as a passenger on his friend’s dirt bike, a car struck them, injuring them both. That accident led to the amputation of Trenten's right leg, just below his knee. Under the care of his first prosthetist, he was encouraged him to attend an Ossur Challenged Athletes Foundation sponsored running clinic for athletes. As a result of attending that clinic, he decided to pursue a career as a track and field athlete. After participating on the track and field teams at Saddleback College and Azusa Pacific University, he made his Team USA debut at the 2015 IPC Athletics World Championships. Just a year later he finished 4th in the Long Jump at the Rio Paralympic Games. Trenten is currently the American record holder in long jump for his classification.

Donald Miralle Jr./ Freelance