Turning a disability into greatness. Our KNX Helpful Honda Hero of the Week is inspiring people around the world at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games!
You can describe Ezra Frech in a single word. Fearless.
"You have to have no fear!" exclaims the 16 year-old from Los Angeles. "I can't come in with any doubts! And even if there is some, I have to shove it out of my body."
Ezra was born with congenital limb differences, but boy, can he soar! He flies across the pit in the long jump, and rockets above the bar in the high jump. His talent exceeds that of many athletes who don't have a disability.
"I was born with one finger on my left hand, and a lower left leg that was curved in, towards my waist," explains Ezra. "At two and a half years old, I had a surgery where the doctors removed the curved part of my left leg. And, then they transplanted the big toe from my former left leg onto my left hand. I can [now] pick things up, I can hold things."
On his left leg, Ezra wears a prosthetic with a blade that allows him to run and jump.
"I high jump off of my sound leg. I don't jump off the blade in high jump," says Ezra. "But in long jump, I do jump off the blade. And, let me tell you - at the beginning, when you're first learning, it’s very difficult to trust it! It's very difficult to lean into a limb that is literally not there!"
At 16 years-old, Ezra is one of the youngest members of the USA Track and Field Team. But, he's not intimidated competing against the world’s best.
Ezra Frech (left) with dad Clayton Frech (right)
"If anything, I almost feel less pressure than I would if I was a grown man and this was something that I had been doing for five to ten years!" beams Ezra. "These guys are intimidated with me, which is the coolest thing! I know I belong, and that's the reason I am so motivated."
Follow Ezra and his journey in Tokyo on his Instagram page at https://www.instagram.com/teamezra05/
Ezra is also an inspiration off the track. A few years ago, he and his dad, Clayton Frech, co-founded Angel City Sports. It's an organization that supplies specialized equipment for people with disabilities.
Ezra has conquered every obstacle with grace and confidence. He's now making his mark for the whole world to see, joining a handful of Californians who are competing in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Ezra Frech of Los Angeles is our KNX Hero of the Week!
"I feel excitement towards these Games, and I feel like I am coming in with nothing to lose!"
Ezra competes in the long jump on Saturday, August 28th, and in the high jump on Tuesday, August 31st. See the full schedule at https://bit.ly/3jjnJer
KNX Heroes is brought to you by California Resources Corporation, saluting our military veterans, and all of our heroes! Go to https://www.crc.com/ for more information.
Find out what your Helpful SoCal Honda Dealers are up to by heading to their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SoCalHondaDealers/
Connect with Clayton Frech and the crew at Angel City Sports by clicking https://angelcitysports.org/
See what’s happening in Tokyo! Follow Clayton and Ezra in Japan through a special blog at https://angelcitysports.org/blog
If you know someone who is inspirational, motivational, life changing or life-saving... nominate them as a future KNX Hero of the Week at https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/nominate
