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Achilles Intl News Article - NYC Marathon 2022 (By Mehmet Kilic - New York, November 6, 2022)
(Photo credit: Victor Mirontschuk) On November 6, 2022, the TCS New York City Marathon event gathered runners, volunteers, spectators, and fans worldwide. On a beautiful day in Fall, 47,745 runners, 48 wheelchairs, and 47 handcycles participated in the race running 26.2 miles course through five boroughs of New York City. It was a fantastic event that brought athletes from 131 countries together and connected community members to give back to the community through events and activities all week. Around 4:30 am early in the morning, the athletes started running, pedaling, and cycling 2.6 miles race started from Verrazano Bridge at 8:00 am and finished around 10:30 at the Finish line in Central Park. In NYC Marathon 2022, 48 wheelchairs and 47 handcycles joined the race and earned their medals with the spirit of achievement and pride.
(Photo credit: Victor Mirontschuk) FBI New York Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINYCAAA) is one of the outstanding organizations that support Achilles International with volunteers from community members and leaders. It is a fantastic opportunity for the community members to celebrate, encourage and cheer up the athletes with disabilities. This year, my son Murat and I volunteered for the Achilles International Freedom Team, which has transformed the lives of athletes with disabilities since 1983. We had the pleasure of meeting and helping athletes with disabilities from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mongolia, Nigeria, and the United States. The athletes inspired us all with their courage, stamina, and self-confidence to compete and win their medals. Edson, Ricardo, Hannah, and Erdenetugs were four athletes from Brazil, Ecuador, Nigeria, and Mongolia who inspired us with their courage and dedication to sports.
Edson Nascimento is one of the handcycle athletes from the Achilles International Team who participated in the NYC Marathon from Bota-Fogo, Brazil. He completed the race with an official time of 1:35:12 and won 2nd place overall and 1st place in the 45-49 age group. After the race, Edson was so excited about his success that and called his family in Brazil to share his accomplishment by showing his medal and Brazilian flag with pride.
Ricardo Corral of Ecuador is another member of the Achilles International Team who won 6th place overall with an official time of 1:30:41. Ricardo also won 1st place in the 60-64 age group, which shows that there is no age and disability limit for people to join this wonderful event. He was pleased to be a part of the Achilles team and joined the celebration of the team from Colombia.
Erdenetugs Bayar-Erdenee is an inspirational athlete joining the Achilles International Team from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Erdenetugs was one of the seven athletes with disabilities from Mongolia Achilles Mongolian National University who participated in the TCS New York City Marathon 2022. He completed the race in the official time of 2:03:29 and ranked 22nd place overall and 1st place in the country-of-origin category. FBINYCAAA volunteers and supporters celebrated and cheered the athletes with disabilities who arrived at the Achilles Freedom Team reunion place on West 72nd Street and Columbus Avenue near Central Park West. It was an amazing moment to witness the happiness on their faces, showing their medals around their neck as proof of accomplishment and successful race completion despite the barriers. We joined their celebration while ensuring they were doing okay, and their needs were provided.
FBINYCAAA Explorers team helped athletes with disabilities replace their racing high-tech racing equipment with their daily wheelchairs. Another group of volunteers loaded the racing wheelchairs and handcycles into the truck that would be transported to the hotel where they stayed. Volunteer van drivers, including myself and my son, gave the athletes a ride to the Element New York Times Square hotel at 311 W39 Street in Manhattan. After a long day, the athletes rejoined their family members and friends at the hotel to celebrate their victory before saying farewell to New York City. Volunteers from the FBINYCAAA: Victor A. Mirontschuk, Dr. Robin Blackstone, Eamon Connors, Brian Downey, Jackie Defede, Denise Dizzine, Grisel Amador, Kenton Vanzandt, Donna Vanzandt, Kenneth Johnson, Mehmet Kilic, Murat Kilic, Jorge Hurado, Gabe Gingishvili, Mordekhai David Gingishvili, Zara Mia Gingishvili, Miriam Bergman, Evelyn Vera, David Chang, Samira Jaraba, Michael Dougherty, Margaret Dougherty, Haley Nevins, Izabela Runaj, Ryan He, Ricky Cai, Jordan Bittan, Melaney Guillen, Joseph Valiente. |
Achilles International is a contributing partner of the TCS New York City Marathon that empowers athletes with disabilities through athletic programs and funds worldwide. Achilles aims to make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities by providing equal opportunities to participate in athletic activities while spreading hope, inspiration, and achievement. Unfortunately, 26% of Americans have disabilities and do not have access to physical activities, which impacts their physical/mental well-being and self-confidence. In this regard, Achilles International meets the gap by mobilizing the private sector, organizations, and community members by raising awareness, funds, and volunteering opportunities. 
Hannah Babalola is one of the women wheelchair athletes from the Achilles International Team who participated in the NYC Marathon from Igando, Lagos, Nigeria. She won 33rd place overall but 1st place from the country of origin. Hannah started training at the Lagos National Stadium in Nigeria, started wheelchair racing in 2011, and carried Nigeria’s flag at the opening ceremony of the 2015 World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Hannah participated in the NYC Marathon in previous years but had to give a break due to maternal leave. This year was a comeback after a break, and she was so excited and happy to rejoice in the achievements of other team members at Achilles International. 
