From U.S. Swimmer Trischa Zorn to Cyclist Sarah Storey

The Paralympics in Paris have kicked off, promising to be one of the largest ever with over 4,000 para-athletes in attendance.

It’s another chance to marvel at what the human body can achieve. Competitor Hunter Woodhall encourages viewers to witness the extraordinary capabilities of para-athletes. “Come and expect to see what the human body is capable of.”

Woodhall underscores the athletic prowess at the Paralympics by noting that German long jumper Markus Rehm might jump farther than athletes did in the Olympics. “It shows the progress of the Paralympics and how athletically talented we are and the results we can have,” he said.

But who are the most successful Paralympic athletes ever? From Trischa Zorn to Sarah Storey, here are their remarkable stories.

Between 1980 and 2004, Trischa Zorn earned 55 medals for swimming in S12, SB12, and SM12 disability categories for Team U.S.A. Born blind, Trischa took home seven gold medals in her first Paralympics. She continued her successful career, amassing 41 gold medals.

Zorn now works as an attorney with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. She modestly states, “I’m not very good at bragging,” believing her medals and performances “speak for themselves.”

Swiss wheelchair athlete Heinz Frei has won 35 medals across Winter and Summer Paralympics in cross-country skiing, cycling, and other sports. Paralyzed at 20 from a mountain run fall, Heinz competed even at 66 in the 2020 games. He also works at the Paraplegic Foundation and holds an impressive 15 gold medals.

Israeli athlete Zipora Rubin-Rosenbaum competed between 1964 and 1992 in multiple sports, including athletics, swimming, table tennis, and wheelchair basketball. She won 31 medals, with 15 of them being gold.

Sport shooter Jonas Jacobsson took home 30 medals for Sweden from 1980 to 2020, 17 of which were gold. Using an air rifle, Jonas continued his winning streak in the 2020 Paralympics. He expressed relief at winning gold, stating, “If I hadn’t won, I think I would have finished. Now I need time to think about the future.”

Russian-American swimmer Jessica Long has accumulated 29 medals for Team U.S.A., including 16 gold. Born with fibular hemimelia, necessitating the amputation of her lower legs at 18 months old, Jessica excelled in various sports before finding her stride in swimming. At 12, she became the youngest US Paralympian in 2004 Athens, winning three gold medals and setting world records.

Britain’s most successful Paralympic athlete, Sarah Storey, boasts 28 medals, including 17 gold. Born without a functioning left hand, she debuted in swimming at 14 in the 1992 Barcelona games, winning five medals.

Despite being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, she transitioned to cycling after an ear infection kept her out of the pool. Her cycling prowess led to breaking world records and competing against non-disabled cyclists.

Norwegian athlete Ragnhild Myklebust has won 27 medals in the Winter Paralympics, 22 of them gold. She excels in cross-country skiing, biathlon, and ice sledge racing, competing in multiple distances and relays.

Source: Yahoo Sports, People Magazine