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Alejandro
A man of many facets: family man, member of the USA Olympic Cycling Team, 2004 Paralympic silver medalist, active community speaker, champion for physically challenged children and adults, owner and architect of A-WON HandCycles, and an inspiration to all he meets. Alejandro’s complex past and physical challenges have forged a humble man, who faces Life head-on with mantras of “NEVER Quit!” and “Anything is possible when a person perseveres.”
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Awarded the silver medal at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, Alejandro’s time was the same as the gold medalist’s. He came in second by inches. Learning an hour before the event that the USA team could not use their style of racing wheels, Alejandro was forced to use his training wheels, adding three pounds to the weight of his handcycle. Once again, his internal strength had to compensate for an external disadvantage. And compensate he did!
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Alejandro has visited elementary, middle, high and continuation schools to share his journey of overcoming obstacles, making choices for a healthy life style, and training with a dream in sight. When the dream of becoming an Olympian was realized, Alejandro revisited children to share his success in hopes of inspiring children to follow their own hopes and dreams. His silver medal has been hung around the necks of many children, much to their delight. |
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A-WON HandCycles is Alejandro's self-made company that designs and manufactures handcycles according to client specifications. Each handcycle is uniquely designed to meet the physical challenges of its owner, enabling would-be bicyclists to realize the freedom and joy of cycling. In addition, each year Alejandro seeks donations from
community organizations and donates his skills and labor to make a handcycle for a local child. The ear-to-ear grin on the face of a child biking for the first time in her/his life is an amazing gift to those that witness it.
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home :: biography :: race history :: the company :: photo gallery :: contact iWebslingers
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FINALLY AN UPDATE
It's been a long while. The Race History is current though races were few and far between these past nine months. Plagued with right shoulder injuries, I had to limit my training and racing. Just as full recovery was within reach, I was struck by a van. After being flipped and dragged, I was left with a dislocated clavicle, torn ligaments on my "good shoulder." My left arm was rendered useless and I was told to rest it for 6 weeks; the US National Championships were less than 2 weeks away. It was there, in Colorado, that I was to earn my spot on the US Team heading for Beijing. Based on my race history, my coaches said I'd have a spot despite my inability to do the Time Trial at the Championships...
On June 6th, I took first place at the US Championship Time Trial. A doctor watching the race commented that there was no way I'd had the injury I'd reported to my coaches or I couldn't have raced; "He must have been looking for attention," he said.
September 12th will find me at another Time Trial - this one's in China. The Road Race is the following day. I'll get the results posted here as soon as possible.
Stay strong and stay tuned... Alejandro
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