[ad_1]
Oyuna Uranchimeg competes in a wheelchair curling spherical robin match in opposition to China through the Paralympic Winter Video games Beijing 2022 on March 8, 2022 in Beijing.
Uranchimeg was by no means into sports activities rising up, and even after her damage she solely tried wheelchair basketball as soon as earlier than “getting busy with life.”
Then six years in the past, a pal requested her to “lunch,” which was a disguised invitation to carry her to the 4 Seasons Curling Membership in Blaine, Minnesota, the place the U.S. wheelchair curling group was holding a coaching camp. They didn’t find yourself consuming lunch, however Uranchimeg wheeled on the ice that day, and 5 years later discovered herself making her world championships debut within the sport. In 2021, she helped the U.S. end fourth on the occasion and earn a last-chance spot on the Paralympic Winter Video games 2022.
The U.S. wheelchair curling group acquired off to a gradual begin this week on the Nationwide Aquatics Centre, opening with a 1-3 document earlier than battling again to 4-4 with a win over Latvia on Wednesday. With two round-robin video games to play, Workforce USA is correct within the combine for the fourth semifinal spot.
Win or lose, Uranchimeg is embracing the complete expertise. And when not on the ice she could be discovered on the Athletes’ Village pondering properly past what’s enjoying out within the venue generally known as the “Ice Dice.” She’s hoping her presence in Beijing is being seen by others and motivating them to take the initiative to higher society in their very own lives, significantly in her native Mongolia the place her siblings and prolonged household nonetheless reside.
“I don’t assume I might ever transfer again as a result of I already constructed my life in America,” she stated. “However I’ve had this aim to do one thing to enhance the accessibility state of affairs in Mongolia, to assist enhance the standard of life for folks with a incapacity there.”
“Since I used to be born and raised there, my coronary heart is all the time in Mongolia. Once I return and go to, I see how dangerous the situations are for wheelchair customers. They will’t even work or go round to the shop by themselves. If there may be something I can do to enhance the state of affairs, I’m going to attempt to assist.”
For now, although, as a loyal pal, devoted mom and intense lover of milk chocolate, Uranchimeg is at peace the place her life has led her.
“I’m proud that I used to be capable of construct a standard life for myself and for my children, and to lastly be right here on the Paralympics representing Workforce USA,” she stated. “I can’t ask for extra in life. That is unbelievable.”
Need to observe Workforce USA athletes through the Paralympic Winter Video games Beijing 2022? Go to TeamUSA.org/Beijing-2022-Paralympic-Video games to view the competitors schedule, medal desk and outcomes.
[ad_2]
Source link
