Move United, an organization fostering community-based sports and recreation for individuals with disabilities, sent 20 athletes to compete at the 2023 World Abilitysport Games.
At the international competition, which took place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand from Dec. 1 to Dec. 9, 2023, a total of 47 medals were earned by athletes, including 10 gold, 21 silver, and 16 bronze. The U.S. delegation included athletes ranging from 15 to 31 years old who competed in para-track and field.
Gold medalists include Adaylia Borgmeier (100 m, 200 m, 5,000 m), Zach Carter (Shot Put), Tyler Gunnarson (5,000 m), Lily Rosenthal (200 m), Kaidhyn Stockdale (Shot Put, Discus, Javelin), and Sam Winter (200 m).
Athletes earning silver medals include Michael Anwar (200 m), Borgmeier (400 m, 800 m, 1,500 m), Ben Brackett (Shot Put, Discus), Ben Brandt (200 m, Javelin), Will Butts (400 m, Long Jump), Gunnarson (100 m, 1,500 m), Will Hamilton (100 m, 200 m), Lucas Jundt (100 m), Delmace Mayo (5,000 m), Elicia Meairs (Javelin), Jillian Romanyk (Shot Put), Rosenthal (Long Jump, Javelin), and Winter (400 m).
Those earning bronze medals are Anwar (100 m), Brandt (Shot Put), Butts (200 m), Lauren Fields (100 m, 200 m, 400 m) Gunnarson (200 m, 400 m), Hamilton (400 m), Jundt (400 m, Long Jump), Meairs (800 m, 1,500 m), Gianni Quintero (1,500 m), Christian Ramirez (Shot Put), and Winter (Long Jump).
“This competition provides emerging athletes the opportunity to compete on an international level,” says Move United competition manager Jessica Cloy, a four-time Paralympian and seven-time Paralympic medalist who is serving as the delegation leader for the U.S. “It has served as a stepping stone to the Paralympic Games and other elite competitions for many athletes in the past.”
To compete at the World Abilitysport Games, each athlete had to apply and meet certain criteria, including having at least two or more years of competition experience at the national level. The U.S. delegation also included several coaches, medical staff, and other support personnel.
