[AMP-L] Amputee Para Snowboarder Turns Disability Into Opportunity

[Wayne Renardson]

via The Japan Times:

Japanese para snowboarder Junta Kosuda said the loss of his leg turned 
out to be a blessing in the long run.  

"(The story of) losing one leg has become my strongest asset," said 
Kosuda, who was drifting through life until finding purpose and focus in 
para sports.  

A drowsy driving accident set Kosuda on the path that led him to the 
Beijing Winter Paralympics. It was his first encounter with para long 
jump star Atsushi Yamamoto that inspired him to become an elite 
competitor.  

Kosuda finished seventh in the men´s snowboard cross SB-LL1 category 
earlier this week, after failing to qualify for Monday´s small and big 
finals.  

The LL1 class, among other things, includes athletes with 
above-the-knee amputations.  

The rest of the story, with photo, here:  

https://tinyurl.com/y7nnk9aq

Wayne R.