Transitioning from one sporting discipline to another always comes with a lot of challenges. However, an American Paralympic athlete embarked on a track and field journey after switching from a football career. While the change was neither easy nor perfect, he made it to the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021.

Nick Mayhugh is one of the most brilliantly shining stars among all the Paralympic athletes. The 27-year-old is a T37 and T38 sprinter who won three Olympic golds in his maiden Paralympic games. Interestingly, a new social media post showcases a lesser-known story about the track and field athlete. In fact, the former soccer player actually ended up fainting after his golden victory.

Track and field newbie goes full-throttle

Team USA added a joint Instagram post with Nick Mayhugh showcasing a video where Mayhugh was shown the video of his 100m Tokyo run which he finished in a world record time of 10.95. Describing the run, the track and field athlete said, “ It’s funny though because I don’t remember any of this. I blacked out, but you can see me talking right there.”

Mayhugh further noted, “Before I get in the blocks in any race, I always say, ‘I’m the best, I’m the best, I’m the best.’ And it’s funny because other athletes will look at me as I’m saying it. Like, what are you talking to yourself?” The track and field athlete explained that this enhances his self-belief and self-confidence whenever he needs to perform.

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The Paralympic champ also noted that he suffers from a poor start since his legs are attuned to endurance running instead of explosive output. However, the track and field athlete ended up surpassing everyone in the contest despite his slow start while setting a new world record with his run.

The wrong kind of emotional overload after the race

The Instagram post also caught the track and field star saying, “I didn’t feel like I was running fast. I didn’t feel like that was my fastest race. So when I crossed the finish line, walking back, I remember being like, ‘My coach is going to be mad I didn’t run that fast’. You know, ‘I didn’t run through the line’. I just was overcome with every emotion, you know, just thinking about everything.”

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Little did Mayhugh know at the time that he had run faster than anybody else in the history of the sport. But this also means that he can sprint faster and hold another world record within him. He is also the reigning world record holder in the 200m category (21.91). Will the former soccer player add to his track and field glory in Paris and create another gold-medal-winning world record?

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