At this summer's Paralympics in Tokyo, Minnesotan athletes will compete in everything from swimming to table tennis to judo and even wheelchair rugby.
Chuck Aoki of Minneapolis carried the American flag in the Opening Ceremony, along with fellow Paralympian Melissa Stockwell, a product of Eden Prairie High School. The pair led a delegation of 240 U.S. athletes who will compete throughout the 13-day event.
Aoki will represent the state and country in wheelchair rugby, while Stockwell will compete in the paratriathlon. Both are representing the U.S. at their third Paralympic games.
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Aoki's father Andy spoke with News Talk 830 WCCO's Susie Jones about the journey his son has made around the world, winning a silver medal in 2016 and bronze in 2012, now looking for a gold.
"It was really exciting, and the biggest thing for me is knowing all that Chuck has been through, and how hard he's worked, I am just so happy for him," Andy said.
Aoki is a huge sports fan and has been a Twins fan since he was 5-years-old. He was born with a hereditary disease that doesn't let him feel below his elbows or knees and has reduced what he feels above.
"He's always loved sports, and he's played sports since he was little, but obviously it's a lot more difficult when you can't feel anything like a baseball," Andy shared.
Andy went on to say that Aoki often suffered from injuries because of his inability to feel; at one point, he walked around on a fractured leg without knowing it for months.
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When he was told that he shouldn't play able-bodied sports anymore, Andy was surprised at how his son took the news.
"He never cried about it, he never complained about it, and he was about 8-years-old then," he added.
Despite giving up sports, Aoki continued to struggle; by the eighth grade, doctors recommended that he use a wheelchair full time, and since then, the 30-year-old has spent most of his life in one.
"His resilience level is off the charts; if you ranked it in the population, it's well in the ninety-ninth percentile, I'm sure," Andy shared.
Now, in his third Paralympics, Aoki will look to bring home the gold to pair with his other two medals.
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Along with Aoki's experience in the Paralympics come newcomers. Abby Bauleke, a basketball player from Savage, will be competing in her first Paralympics for the U.S. national team. Her father, Chris, shared with News Talk 830 WCCO’s Jones that she had never considered herself disabled but always strived for excellence.
"Abby started playing basketball when she was at a summer camp in Colorado back in the sixth grade," Chris shared. "She had become paralyzed from the waist down after some complications from battling leukemia when she was 4-years-old."
"As I always said about Abby, someone forgot to tell her she was paralyzed, and she's kinda lived that concept throughout her life."
The 20-year-old plays basketball at the University of Alabama and has competed in Thailand for the U.S. U25 team. But, when it comes to the Paralympics, Bauleke is competing at the highest level and making her family proud.
"We're extremely excited about Abby being over in Tokyo; again, this is her first Paralympics, and obviously, we wish we were there, but that doesn't take away from our excitement," he added.
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Other Minnesotans who are competing, including Abby Bauleke of Savage, is a member of the Paralympic basketball team, Josh Cinnamon of Lakeville competes in shot put, Ben Goodrich of St. Paul competes in Judo, Mallory Weggemann of Egan is on the swim team, Aaron Pike of Park Rapids is on the track and field team, Summer Schmitt of Stillwater is on the swim team, Ian Seidenfeld of Lakeville competes in table tennis, Lexi Shifflett of Waseca competes in sitting volleyball, and Natalie Sims of Edina is on the swim team.
"I truly encourage everyone to tune in and watch the Paralympics," Chris said. "It might surprise them, but they are going to see some amazing athletic performances and some truly inspirational performances."