The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics has officially begun and we are excited to watch our fellow Latino/a competing for a place on the podium. Their stories are full of dreams, hope, and perseverance. In this article, we showcase our top 9 para-athletes you should keep an eye on. Some of them with world records for the 100 m competitions and even a veteran that takes part of the US Track and Field Team.

José Gregorio Montilla
Discipline: Swimming
Country: Venezuela
He is a journalism student and Para-athlete who was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), which affected the development of his arms and legs. He began swimming for health reasons when his teacher suggested that he start competing. He qualified for Tokyo 2020 after swimming the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:41 at the 2019 Parapan American Games in Lima, Peru.
Motivational quote: “I do what they said I would never do.”