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June 10, 2020 By: Natasha Vukonich

10 of the most influential and badass women in sports: 8. Grace Norman

As we continue on to No. 8 on this list of badass and influential women, I want to remind you that the goal here is to introduce you to inspiring women whose accomplishments and activism are too often overshadowed by the Lebron James’ and Tom Brady’s of the world. Obviously Brady and Lebron deserve every bit of clout that they receive, but these women deserve it just as much.

Especially our No. 8 and youngest badass woman on this list, who has overcome greater obstacles and seen grander success by the age of 22 than most of us will in a lifetime.

Grace Norman

22-year-old Grace Norman is one of America’s most prizewinning Paralympians. Born with Congenital Construction Band Syndrome, Norman was missing her left foot and big toe on her right foot. The disorder, which causes fibrous bands to ensnare part of the body, required Norman to undergo two surgeries to remove additional bands from her legs before the age of 6 months.

At 13 months old, Norman was fitted for her first prosthetic leg, which led to walking, running, and eventually over 20 Paratriathalon national and world titles (plus a Paralympic gold medal).

Norman competed on her high school Track and Field team where she became the first female amputee to podium at the Ohio High School Track and Field State Championship, and was named the 2015 Paralympics Track and Field High School Female Athlete of the Year.

At 16, she competed in her first Elite ITU Paratriatholon, which sparked a passion that pushed her to five ITU Paratriatholon World Championship Medals and nine ITU World Paratriatholon event medals. Norman is also a two-time USA Paratriathalon National Champion, and four-time Sarasota-Bradenton CAMTRI Paratriatholan American Champion throughout 2016-2019.

In 2016 Norman competed in the Rio De Janeiro Paralympics as the youngest competitor on the Paratriathlon field, where she became the first Paratriathlete to win a gold medal in Paralympics history.

Norman currently attends Cedarville University in her home state of Ohio where she is studying to become a nurse and continues to train in Track and Field. She will return to the 2020 Paralympics (now being held in 2021 due to COVID-19) where she will compete in eight events including the PTS5 Category in which Norman will be the only leg amputee.

Grace Norman lives up to her name. She has grace in all that she does and proves that women, even with the disadvantages of birth defects are absolutely unstoppable.

Next up, a woman who has made boxing history time and time again, but will be more so remembered as one of the greatest activists and advocates for her community, Black Lives and the disenfranchised.