Jewish American Track Star Triumphs with Two Paralympic Golds

Ezra Frech, a rising star in American Paralympic sports, made headlines at the Paris Paralympics by winning two gold medals in just two days. The 19-year-old track and field athlete, known for his determination and ambition, took home gold in the men’s 100-meter T63 final and the high jump, setting a new Paralympic record in the latter.

Frech, born missing his left knee and shinbone and with only one finger on his left hand, entered the Games as one of the United States’ brightest prospects. In the 100-meter race on Monday, Frech clinched gold in a thrilling finish, edging out his German competitor by just two hundredths of a second with a time of 12.06 seconds. “I crossed the line. I had no idea, looked up, saw my name first,” Frech told NBC. “Not what I was expecting, but, damn, am I hyped.”

The following day, Frech lived up to his reputation as the favorite in the high jump, clearing 1.94 meters to secure his second gold. Although he narrowly missed his own world record of 1.97 meters, his performance set a new Paralympic record, beating the silver medalist from India by 0.06 meters. Frech’s success in Paris continues his dominance in the high jump, where he has also claimed gold at the 2023 World Championships and the 2019 World Junior Championships.

Frech’s roots are as remarkable as his athletic achievements. His mother, a Jewish actress born in Iran, has been a source of inspiration throughout his journey. Earlier this year, Frech committed to the University of Southern California, becoming the first above-the-knee amputee to be recruited to a Division I sports program, where he will compete against able-bodied athletes.

Despite narrowly missing out on a medal in the men’s long jump T63 event, where he placed fifth, Frech is already looking ahead to the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, his hometown. His goal? To win what he calls the “triple crown” gold medals in the long jump, high jump, and 100 meters.

Beyond his athletic ambitions, Frech is determined to change perceptions around disability. He has spoken about his desire to "normalize disability on a global scale" and serve as an example of what is possible as an amputee. “I want to be known as someone who changed the way the Paralympics are viewed forever,” Frech said earlier this year, demonstrating his commitment to leaving a lasting legacy.

As the Paris Paralympics continue, Frech’s gold medal performances stand as a testament to his hard work, resilience, and desire to break boundaries, both on and off the track.

Let’s celebrate the incredible achievements of athletes like Ezra Frech and support their mission to redefine possibilities. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.