Anjali Forber-Pratt Makes U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team - Sets Sights on Gold Medals at London 2012 Paralympic Games
Wheelchair sprinter Anjali Forber-Pratt heads for London as a member the 2012 U. S. Paralympic team after winning her spot at the trials in Indianapolis this past weekend. As a former world record holder and a bronze medalist from the Beijing Paralympic Games, Forber-Pratt is in contention for multiple medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
(Champaign, IL - July 2, 2012) - Wheelchair sprinter Anjali Forber-Pratt heads for London as a member the 2012 U. S. Paralympic team after winning her spot at the trials in Indianapolis this weekend. As a former world record holder and a bronze medalist from the Beijing Paralympic Games, Forber-Pratt is in contention for multiple medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
The Paralympic Games are, for Forber-Pratt, the top competition on the world stage with the best of the best competing for medals. Having won bronze medals in the women’s 400m T53 and in the women’s 4x100m T53/54 relay at the Beijing Games, Forber-Pratt has trained hard with her teammates at the University of Illinois. Since the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, she has spent countless hours lifting weights early in the morning at Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign campus, endured two-a-day sessions in the summer, and sweated through six-training-day regimens almost every week. Her hard work and dedication to excellence has made Forber-Pratt one of the best wheelchair racers in the world.
“I’m thrilled for this tremendous honor to again represent my country. I am grateful especially to my coach Adam Bleakney for believing in me and guiding me along the way, and to my other fans, friends, supporters and sponsors. I could not do it without you all, thank you!” Forber-Pratt said.
Forber-Pratt races because she loves the competition and the freedom it provides her.
“My sport is important to me because it transcends supposed physical boundaries and an outlet to achieve what others may deem impossible. This is particularly important to me because I have a physical disability and was so often told growing up “you cannot.” Competing at this level is powerful and has largely shaped me into who I am today: a world-class Paralympic athlete and an advocate for those left on the sidelines.”
During the past three and a half years, Forber-Pratt has continued to rack up medals at competitions. Most recently during the 2011 season in track and field, she won gold in the 200m; silver in the 100m; and silver in the 400m at World Championships. Later, Anjali went on to break the World Record in the 200m – a record previously held by the Chinese.
But this is only half the story --- Anjali Forber-Pratt is now Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt, having earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Resource Education with a concentration in Human Resource Development in between the training for London.
Forber-Pratt is passionate about sharing her story knowing that her sports accomplishments allow her the platform for transforming perceptions of what it means to be an individual with a disability, helping others accept their own differences and motivating others to take action in their own lives and communities. So that all, regardless of their physical limitations can, indeed live her motto, "Dream, Drive, Do!”
About Anjali Forber-Pratt
Anjali Forber-Pratt was introduced to the world of disabled sports at the age of 5. Currently she is ranked among the top three fastest T53 women in the world for the 100 meter, 200 meter and 400 meter events. She was named to her first United States Paralympic Track and Field Team in 2007 and selected to represent the United States at the ParaPan American Games in Rio de Janeiro—where she came home with two gold medals in the 100m and 200m and a bronze in the 400m. Anjali made her Paralympic Games debut in Beijing where she won bronze in the women’s 400m T53 and in the women’s 4x100m T53/54 relay. She is also the World and American record holder for the 200m.
Wheelchair sprinter Anjali Forber-Pratt heads for London as a member the 2012 U. S. Paralympic team after winning her spot at the trials in Indianapolis. As a former world record holder and a bronze medalist from the Beijing Paralympic Games, Forber-Pratt is in contention for multiple medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. She will compete in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
Paralympic Medalist Anjali Forber-Pratt became Dr. Anjali Forber-Pratt earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Human Resource Education with a concentration in Human Resource Development. The degree was completed within the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Anjali enjoys traveling for speaking engagements around the country and volunteering with local organizations for kids with disabilities. Anjali co-authored an educational kids’ coloring book about disabled sports titled, “Color Learn & Play: All About Sports for Athletes with Physical Disabilities”. Anjali loves sharing her story, helping to transform perceptions of what it means to be an individual with a disability, and helping others accept their own differences and motivate others to take action in their own lives and communities.
About the USOC
The mission of the USOC is to support U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes in achieving sustained competitive excellence and to preserve the Olympic Ideals, thereby inspiring all Americans.
2012 U.S. Paralympic Track & Field Team named for London
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