"Adaptive" Episode #1.1

1 00:00:02,402 --> 00:00:02,736 (claps) 2 00:00:02,769 --> 00:00:03,169 Hey, everybody. 3 00:00:03,236 --> 00:00:05,305 I’m gonna be training, 4 00:00:05,372 --> 00:00:10,043 trying to get to the 2020 of the Paralympics in Tokyo. 5 00:00:10,076 --> 00:00:10,910 It’s just the beginning. 6 00:00:10,944 --> 00:00:12,645 I’ll be 15, be pretty young, 7 00:00:12,679 --> 00:00:14,481 but I’m gonna work. 8 00:00:14,514 --> 00:00:16,216 (soft, tense music) 9 00:00:16,282 --> 00:00:17,650 (grunts) 10 00:00:17,717 --> 00:00:19,486 ♪ 11 00:00:19,519 --> 00:00:21,688 (rain pattering) 12 00:00:21,755 --> 00:00:27,193 ♪ 13 00:00:27,260 --> 00:00:30,330 (male announcer) Back to the men’s high jump, T63. 14 00:00:30,397 --> 00:00:32,108 (female announcer) Phil, the rain is really coming down. 15 00:00:32,132 --> 00:00:36,302 You can see the pools of water on this track. 16 00:00:36,369 --> 00:00:38,672 (male announcer) So, 16-year-old Ezra Frech 17 00:00:38,705 --> 00:00:41,074 is still in the thick of things in the high jump, 18 00:00:41,107 --> 00:00:44,644 and his family is looking on. 19 00:00:44,678 --> 00:00:46,279 You got this! 20 00:00:47,547 --> 00:00:49,291 (male announcer) First attempt for Ezra Frech 21 00:00:49,315 --> 00:00:53,253 with the bar up at six feet even, 1 meter 83. 22 00:00:53,286 --> 00:00:55,989 Five athletes have come to this height. 23 00:00:56,022 --> 00:00:58,224 Here comes Ezra Frech’s first attempt, 24 00:00:58,258 --> 00:00:59,526 and down goes the bar. 25 00:00:59,559 --> 00:01:02,429 So, he still has two more chances at this height. 26 00:01:02,495 --> 00:01:04,297 ♪ 27 00:01:04,364 --> 00:01:06,633 (Ezra) I was so prepared. 28 00:01:06,700 --> 00:01:08,411 It was gonna be the moment that I had been waiting for 29 00:01:08,435 --> 00:01:09,302 for so long. 30 00:01:09,336 --> 00:01:11,438 I wanna go to the Paralympics some day. 31 00:01:11,471 --> 00:01:13,006 Oh yeah, I wanna go to the Paralympics. 32 00:01:13,073 --> 00:01:16,076 The 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. 33 00:01:16,142 --> 00:01:18,178 I wanted to go out there and win a medal in Tokyo. 34 00:01:18,211 --> 00:01:19,522 I wanted to go out there and show the world 35 00:01:19,546 --> 00:01:21,381 that I wasn’t just a little kid anymore. 36 00:01:21,414 --> 00:01:23,283 I had grown up, I had matured, 37 00:01:23,350 --> 00:01:24,818 I had worked really hard. 38 00:01:24,851 --> 00:01:28,488 (male announcer) All right, second chance for the 16-year-old Ezra Frech. 39 00:01:28,555 --> 00:01:30,657 ♪ 40 00:01:30,690 --> 00:01:32,058 God! 41 00:01:32,092 --> 00:01:34,027 Before I took that third jump, I said, 42 00:01:34,060 --> 00:01:36,830 "Nothing matters, at this point. 43 00:01:36,896 --> 00:01:38,732 Take everything you’ve learned 44 00:01:38,765 --> 00:01:41,134 and produce one perfect jump." 45 00:01:41,201 --> 00:01:42,535 That’s all I needed. 46 00:01:42,569 --> 00:01:44,137 ♪ 47 00:01:44,170 --> 00:01:46,373 Let’s get one perfect jump. 48 00:01:46,439 --> 00:01:48,842 ♪ 49 00:01:48,908 --> 00:01:51,444 One jump for eternity. 50 00:01:51,478 --> 00:01:52,278 (male announcer) For Ezra Frech, 51 00:01:52,312 --> 00:01:55,048 his third attempt at this height. 52 00:01:55,081 --> 00:01:56,583 The 16-year-old needs the clearance 53 00:01:56,616 --> 00:01:59,285 to get up and over the bar here. 54 00:01:59,319 --> 00:02:00,720 (Ezra) I’m rising up, 55 00:02:00,754 --> 00:02:02,022 I’m floating over the bar. 56 00:02:02,055 --> 00:02:04,024 I rotate, I land on the opposite shoulder. 57 00:02:04,090 --> 00:02:05,425 I cleared the bar. 58 00:02:05,492 --> 00:02:07,127 I jump up... 59 00:02:07,193 --> 00:02:08,762 (music stops abruptly) 60 00:02:08,795 --> 00:02:10,697 and there’s a red flag, 61 00:02:10,764 --> 00:02:11,598 and the bar’s down. 62 00:02:11,631 --> 00:02:13,867 (Clayton cries out) 63 00:02:13,900 --> 00:02:16,503 (pensive music) 64 00:02:16,569 --> 00:02:18,638 ♪ 65 00:02:18,705 --> 00:02:20,607 I literally had the perfect jump. 66 00:02:20,640 --> 00:02:21,908 Why is the bar down? 67 00:02:21,975 --> 00:02:23,810 ♪ 68 00:02:23,877 --> 00:02:25,045 The blade clipped the bar, 69 00:02:25,078 --> 00:02:27,614 and I didn’t even feel it! 70 00:02:27,647 --> 00:02:30,750 And I’m out, I’m out of the competition. 71 00:02:30,784 --> 00:02:32,352 In fifth place. 72 00:02:32,419 --> 00:02:33,796 (male announcer) So, in his first Paralympic Games 73 00:02:33,820 --> 00:02:35,355 at just 16 years old, 74 00:02:35,422 --> 00:02:37,991 Ezra Frech finishes fifth. 75 00:02:38,058 --> 00:02:40,060 We may see him for two more decades 76 00:02:40,093 --> 00:02:41,928 at the Paralympic Games. 77 00:02:41,961 --> 00:02:44,230 (Ezra) I look over to my left, 78 00:02:44,264 --> 00:02:49,269 and it was all of the medalists taking a photo. 79 00:02:49,302 --> 00:02:51,638 They were all standing there with their flags, 80 00:02:51,671 --> 00:02:53,340 hands up in the air. 81 00:02:53,406 --> 00:02:55,308 I just took it in. 82 00:02:55,375 --> 00:02:58,378 I said, "Never again. 83 00:02:58,445 --> 00:03:00,747 Never again will I allow myself to feel like this." 84 00:03:00,780 --> 00:03:01,881 So, now... 85 00:03:04,017 --> 00:03:06,052 it’s my screensaver. 86 00:03:06,119 --> 00:03:07,153 "Never again." 87 00:03:07,220 --> 00:03:08,588 Right there. 88 00:03:08,655 --> 00:03:10,690 ♪ 89 00:03:12,000 --> 00:03:18,074 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm 90 00:03:22,402 --> 00:03:25,572 ♪ 91 00:03:25,605 --> 00:03:27,707 You know, it’s been a lifelong dream of mine 92 00:03:27,774 --> 00:03:29,609 to come out here. 93 00:03:29,642 --> 00:03:32,412 Been a lifelong dream to get on that podium, I... 94 00:03:32,479 --> 00:03:34,414 Remember this moment, and, uh, 95 00:03:34,481 --> 00:03:35,849 this won’t happen again. 96 00:03:35,915 --> 00:03:41,187 ♪ 97 00:03:41,287 --> 00:03:44,157 (intense music) 98 00:03:44,190 --> 00:03:45,592 The Paralympics is the highest-level 99 00:03:45,658 --> 00:03:47,227 sporting competition on the planet 100 00:03:47,293 --> 00:03:48,695 for adaptive athletes 101 00:03:48,762 --> 00:03:51,064 or people with physical disabilities. 102 00:03:51,097 --> 00:03:55,001 (Jamal) At this level, you don’t got time to make mistakes. 103 00:03:55,035 --> 00:03:55,869 (Ezra) What you do in the quad, 104 00:03:55,902 --> 00:03:58,705 the four-year cycle between Paralympic Games, 105 00:03:58,738 --> 00:04:00,807 is indicative of who wins the golds, 106 00:04:00,874 --> 00:04:03,009 who wins the silvers, who wins the bronzes, 107 00:04:03,043 --> 00:04:04,377 and who doesn’t win at all. 108 00:04:06,146 --> 00:04:08,048 (Courtney) I love the competitive nature. 109 00:04:08,114 --> 00:04:09,849 I love how physical it is. 110 00:04:09,916 --> 00:04:11,027 (male announcer) Courtney Ryan, 111 00:04:11,051 --> 00:04:12,819 uncontested and hits it. 112 00:04:12,852 --> 00:04:14,764 (male announcer) Jamal Hill trying to close this one out 113 00:04:14,788 --> 00:04:16,356 with an amazing time. 114 00:04:16,456 --> 00:04:17,800 (Jamal) There’s really nothing I can’t do. 115 00:04:17,824 --> 00:04:18,858 I’m a winner. 116 00:04:18,925 --> 00:04:21,895 (Ezra) It’s gonna be a long, hard road to Paris. 117 00:04:21,928 --> 00:04:23,763 But I have to get my revenge. 118 00:04:23,797 --> 00:04:28,268 (male announcer) For Ezra Frech, his time is now. 119 00:04:28,335 --> 00:04:29,703 (Ezra) Whenever someone doubts me, 120 00:04:29,769 --> 00:04:32,072 that’s just more fuel for the fire. 121 00:04:32,138 --> 00:04:33,940 (Courtney) When you get to this level, 122 00:04:34,007 --> 00:04:35,742 it’s a different animal. 123 00:04:35,809 --> 00:04:37,219 (Josie) There are a lot of battles to fight, 124 00:04:37,243 --> 00:04:39,312 but it’s meaningful. 125 00:04:39,379 --> 00:04:42,215 (Jamal) ’Cause now, I’m steppin’ into my truth, 126 00:04:42,282 --> 00:04:43,817 and I’m telling my story. 127 00:04:43,883 --> 00:04:46,720 ♪ 128 00:04:46,753 --> 00:04:50,657 (male announcer) Team USA wheelchair basketball are back. 129 00:04:50,690 --> 00:04:52,692 (Ezra) I feel like such a failure right now. 130 00:04:52,726 --> 00:04:55,128 (male announcer) Ezra Frech is getting into the mix. 131 00:04:55,195 --> 00:04:58,031 (Courtney) This is going to be one for the history books. 132 00:04:58,064 --> 00:04:59,833 - One, two, three. - USA! 133 00:04:59,899 --> 00:05:06,339 ♪ 134 00:05:06,373 --> 00:05:08,742 (engine softly rumbling) 135 00:05:11,511 --> 00:05:14,414 (Jamal) The time is 6:41. 136 00:05:14,447 --> 00:05:17,417 We’re headed 30 miles up the road. 137 00:05:17,484 --> 00:05:19,486 Pasadena, California. 138 00:05:20,186 --> 00:05:21,821 Jewel of the Nile. 139 00:05:23,757 --> 00:05:25,877 You know, I’m not gonna lie, dragged myself out of bed 140 00:05:25,925 --> 00:05:28,795 this morning at six to push these 30 miles 141 00:05:28,828 --> 00:05:30,463 to get in the pool. 142 00:05:30,497 --> 00:05:32,441 And there are mornings where I’ve done it earlier. 143 00:05:32,465 --> 00:05:34,076 There are mornings when I’ve spent the night at the pool 144 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:35,635 because it was (bleep) late 145 00:05:35,669 --> 00:05:37,804 and I had to be there at 5:30, 146 00:05:37,837 --> 00:05:39,706 and I knew I was not gonna wake up, 147 00:05:39,739 --> 00:05:43,109 so, I just went and slept in the parking lot. 148 00:05:43,143 --> 00:05:44,844 (yawns) 149 00:05:44,911 --> 00:05:45,845 To each their own. 150 00:05:45,912 --> 00:05:48,515 What works for you, works for you. 151 00:05:48,581 --> 00:05:50,784 Don’t judge the process. 152 00:05:52,419 --> 00:05:53,653 Just in general, man. 153 00:05:53,687 --> 00:05:55,889 Don’t waste your life 154 00:05:55,955 --> 00:05:57,991 tying to do what the (bleep) someone is telling you 155 00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:00,326 you need to do for your life, trust me. 156 00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:01,661 They might know something, 157 00:06:01,728 --> 00:06:03,363 but one thing they don’t know 158 00:06:03,430 --> 00:06:04,931 is what it’s like to be you. 159 00:06:10,837 --> 00:06:11,905 Ready? 160 00:06:13,740 --> 00:06:14,808 Go! 161 00:06:16,142 --> 00:06:17,177 (exhales deeply) 162 00:06:21,214 --> 00:06:25,919 (Jamal) So, my coach, Wilma Wong, has been... 163 00:06:25,985 --> 00:06:27,663 I just gotta give credit where credit is due, man. 164 00:06:27,687 --> 00:06:29,489 Instrumental, you know? 165 00:06:29,522 --> 00:06:31,491 There’s no way that Jamal is sitting here 166 00:06:31,558 --> 00:06:34,060 as a bronze medalist without Wilma Wong. 167 00:06:36,663 --> 00:06:38,231 (Wilma) I think of myself more 168 00:06:38,264 --> 00:06:45,772 as a mental performance coach/ healer/swim coach/engineer. 169 00:06:45,805 --> 00:06:49,776 I feel like I’m engineering his body to be the best, 170 00:06:49,809 --> 00:06:52,278 so that when he’s on the big stage, 171 00:06:52,345 --> 00:06:54,347 the big competitions, 172 00:06:54,381 --> 00:06:57,283 he’s able to do really well. 173 00:06:57,350 --> 00:06:59,652 (Jamal) Where we met each other at that point of our lives, 174 00:06:59,719 --> 00:07:01,521 we were both looking for a partner, 175 00:07:01,588 --> 00:07:05,025 and with that came a lot of trust. 176 00:07:05,091 --> 00:07:08,461 (ambient music) 177 00:07:08,495 --> 00:07:10,063 When I was growing up, 178 00:07:10,096 --> 00:07:12,265 I knew I wasn’t normal, 179 00:07:12,332 --> 00:07:15,101 but I didn’t have a name to put to it. 180 00:07:15,168 --> 00:07:17,470 ♪ 181 00:07:17,537 --> 00:07:19,739 I leave college after my junior year. 182 00:07:19,773 --> 00:07:23,510 I’m this unknown, unranked, 183 00:07:23,543 --> 00:07:27,480 Division III, you know, C-class athlete, 184 00:07:27,547 --> 00:07:32,619 and I got this crazy dream of making an Olympic team. 185 00:07:32,686 --> 00:07:34,387 I’m working with Olympians every day, 186 00:07:34,454 --> 00:07:35,855 Olympic coaches every day. 187 00:07:35,922 --> 00:07:37,424 I’m training with Ryan Lochte, 188 00:07:37,490 --> 00:07:40,527 and I’m right there in the mix. 189 00:07:40,593 --> 00:07:42,762 (onlooker) Come on, Jamal! 190 00:07:42,829 --> 00:07:44,407 (Wilma) The biggest thing I noticed about Jamal 191 00:07:44,431 --> 00:07:46,599 was that he was getting out of the pool 192 00:07:46,666 --> 00:07:48,601 different than everybody else. 193 00:07:48,668 --> 00:07:51,838 He was getting out like he was a paraplegic. 194 00:07:51,905 --> 00:07:54,307 ♪ 195 00:07:54,374 --> 00:07:55,875 And I remember, like, whoa, 196 00:07:55,942 --> 00:07:58,111 there’s something he’s not telling me. 197 00:08:03,283 --> 00:08:06,386 ("Flower Duet" from Lakmé) 198 00:08:06,419 --> 00:08:09,823 (women singing operatic French) 199 00:08:09,856 --> 00:08:12,625 (Courtney) Wheelchair basketball, 200 00:08:12,659 --> 00:08:14,459 it’s almost like you’re choreographing a dance 201 00:08:14,494 --> 00:08:17,564 with your teammates. 202 00:08:17,597 --> 00:08:21,501 There is beauty in the smooth nature 203 00:08:21,568 --> 00:08:23,370 of the sport. 204 00:08:23,403 --> 00:08:25,238 (buzzer sounds) 205 00:08:25,271 --> 00:08:27,273 (whistle blows) 206 00:08:27,307 --> 00:08:28,775 (yelling, chairs rolling) 207 00:08:28,808 --> 00:08:30,510 But you hear how loud it is, 208 00:08:30,543 --> 00:08:32,846 there’s banging of metal. 209 00:08:32,879 --> 00:08:36,616 Like, it’s such a physical sport. 210 00:08:36,649 --> 00:08:39,152 There’s something really beautiful about it. 211 00:08:46,026 --> 00:08:49,562 I’ve been number 55 since college, 212 00:08:49,596 --> 00:08:52,032 so, it turned into Lady Nickels, 213 00:08:52,065 --> 00:08:55,101 and I’ve been Lady Nickels ever since. 214 00:08:55,201 --> 00:08:57,013 (man) Josie, do you call her "Lady Nickels," ever? 215 00:08:57,037 --> 00:08:58,905 Absolutely not. 216 00:08:58,938 --> 00:09:00,907 That would bring her way too much joy. 217 00:09:01,007 --> 00:09:02,509 (Courtney) She calls me Queen Courts. 218 00:09:02,542 --> 00:09:04,177 I... nope. 219 00:09:04,210 --> 00:09:07,080 - Lady Buckets? - Absolutely not. 220 00:09:07,113 --> 00:09:08,448 It’s a good nickname. 221 00:09:08,481 --> 00:09:09,783 (Josie) Like, actually... 222 00:09:09,816 --> 00:09:11,751 like, you’re not even, like, joking with me. 223 00:09:11,851 --> 00:09:14,421 (Courtney) No, I’m not even joking. 224 00:09:14,454 --> 00:09:15,855 It’s unique. 225 00:09:15,889 --> 00:09:16,956 (giggles) 226 00:09:19,225 --> 00:09:22,128 (gentle music) 227 00:09:22,162 --> 00:09:23,930 ♪ 228 00:09:23,963 --> 00:09:27,600 You know, we really developed a friendship over time. 229 00:09:29,102 --> 00:09:32,405 We hung out a lot and had a lot of fun. 230 00:09:32,439 --> 00:09:34,808 ♪ 231 00:09:34,841 --> 00:09:37,410 (Josie) It was sometime during COVID, 232 00:09:37,510 --> 00:09:39,579 but it was sort of, like, obvious 233 00:09:39,612 --> 00:09:43,383 that we liked spending all of our time together. 234 00:09:43,416 --> 00:09:45,251 It just became very evident to me 235 00:09:45,352 --> 00:09:49,622 that we had this connection that was kind of, like, 236 00:09:49,656 --> 00:09:50,990 like a soul connection, 237 00:09:51,024 --> 00:09:53,660 and something that you don’t find every day. 238 00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:55,528 It was just kinda obvious to us 239 00:09:55,562 --> 00:09:58,231 that there was something more there. 240 00:09:58,264 --> 00:09:59,966 You are smug right now. 241 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,736 - (Courtney laughs) - I’m taking her. 242 00:10:02,769 --> 00:10:04,580 (Courtney) I realized that I was starting to, like, 243 00:10:04,604 --> 00:10:06,706 have feelings for this woman, and I was, like, 244 00:10:06,740 --> 00:10:08,708 "Well, I don’t know if she would even be 245 00:10:08,742 --> 00:10:11,244 interested in me." 246 00:10:11,277 --> 00:10:12,312 (notification chimes) 247 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,819 Aww... 248 00:10:19,853 --> 00:10:22,022 (Josie) She... she sent me a text, 249 00:10:22,122 --> 00:10:25,759 and was, like, really nervous about it, I’m sure. 250 00:10:25,859 --> 00:10:27,527 I’m, like, shaking as I’m writing this. 251 00:10:27,560 --> 00:10:29,462 I’m, like, "Hey, Josie! 252 00:10:29,496 --> 00:10:30,730 Hope you’re doing well!" 253 00:10:30,764 --> 00:10:31,998 "I have feelings for you, 254 00:10:32,032 --> 00:10:33,566 but you can tell me that I’m crazy." 255 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,011 "It’s totally fine if you don’t like me, 256 00:10:35,035 --> 00:10:36,703 it’s totally fine, like, not a big deal. 257 00:10:36,736 --> 00:10:38,238 Like, I hope we can still be friends, 258 00:10:38,271 --> 00:10:38,672 it’s totally fine." 259 00:10:38,705 --> 00:10:39,572 "If it’s not, like, 260 00:10:39,639 --> 00:10:40,883 you can just pretend nothing happened, 261 00:10:40,907 --> 00:10:43,209 - I never said anything." - "Don’t even worry about it. 262 00:10:43,243 --> 00:10:45,478 If you don’t like me, it’s fine, it’s totally fine." 263 00:10:45,512 --> 00:10:46,822 And then, I think she probably just, like, 264 00:10:46,846 --> 00:10:48,248 threw her phone across the room. 265 00:10:48,281 --> 00:10:50,550 I’m, like, just sitting there, looking at my phone, 266 00:10:50,583 --> 00:10:52,252 and 20 minutes go by. 267 00:10:52,285 --> 00:10:53,319 Now 30 minutes. 268 00:10:53,353 --> 00:10:56,022 And I’m just, like, "Oh, no, I just lost a friend. 269 00:10:56,122 --> 00:10:57,724 This is horrible, this is horrible. 270 00:10:57,757 --> 00:10:59,559 She’s such a good person, too." 271 00:10:59,592 --> 00:11:01,428 Then, 45 minutes later, 272 00:11:01,461 --> 00:11:03,163 she texts me back and is, like... 273 00:11:03,196 --> 00:11:05,999 "I’ve, like been feeling something toward you, too, 274 00:11:06,032 --> 00:11:07,901 but I can’t put my finger on it." 275 00:11:07,934 --> 00:11:09,936 "It’s just all new for me, so, like, 276 00:11:09,969 --> 00:11:11,771 I’d like to take it slow." 277 00:11:11,805 --> 00:11:15,075 And, yeah, it just kind of grew from there. 278 00:11:15,141 --> 00:11:19,746 ♪ 279 00:11:19,779 --> 00:11:21,948 She’s such a wild spirit and fearless. 280 00:11:21,981 --> 00:11:26,519 She’s also a very strong and resilient person as well. 281 00:11:26,553 --> 00:11:31,191 (Josie) She is this very confident, like, high-energy person. 282 00:11:31,224 --> 00:11:33,560 Like, Court knows who she is as a person, 283 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:35,328 and I know who I am, 284 00:11:35,362 --> 00:11:37,864 so, that never falters. 285 00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:43,103 (faint birdsong) 286 00:11:48,641 --> 00:11:49,743 (self-fastener tearing) 287 00:11:49,776 --> 00:11:51,845 (Ezra) No, I’m ready, I think. 288 00:11:51,878 --> 00:11:54,481 In between Paralympic Games, 289 00:11:54,514 --> 00:11:57,350 I’m training basically 24/7. 290 00:11:57,384 --> 00:12:00,854 We have national championships, world championships, 291 00:12:00,887 --> 00:12:03,523 and you’re basically trying to stay at an elite level 292 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:05,358 every year throughout those four 293 00:12:05,392 --> 00:12:07,093 so that when the Games roll around again, 294 00:12:07,193 --> 00:12:09,195 you can be in a position to win a medal. 295 00:12:09,229 --> 00:12:09,929 (bar clanging) 296 00:12:09,996 --> 00:12:12,332 (Lati) Hey, we can’t be disappointed. 297 00:12:12,365 --> 00:12:14,043 So, you’re definitely gonna have to move back. 298 00:12:14,067 --> 00:12:16,136 You had no real space to rise. 299 00:12:16,169 --> 00:12:17,413 (Ezra) Yeah, and the blade hit the ground, too. 300 00:12:17,437 --> 00:12:18,371 (Lati) Yeah. 301 00:12:18,438 --> 00:12:19,806 Don’t overthink this. 302 00:12:19,839 --> 00:12:21,207 You’ve seen what you need to fix. 303 00:12:21,241 --> 00:12:22,876 Now, we’re back in training mode, 304 00:12:22,909 --> 00:12:24,210 - okay? - All right. 305 00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:25,178 (Lati claps) 306 00:12:25,211 --> 00:12:27,113 So, I can, in my head, be dreaming 307 00:12:27,147 --> 00:12:28,982 about the next Paralympic Games, but also, 308 00:12:29,015 --> 00:12:30,593 knowing that I have a world championships 309 00:12:30,617 --> 00:12:32,185 in a few months in Paris. 310 00:12:37,824 --> 00:12:39,292 The future that I’m working towards 311 00:12:39,325 --> 00:12:43,196 is something I’ve had in my head for a really long time. 312 00:12:43,229 --> 00:12:44,798 I wanna become one of the greatest 313 00:12:44,831 --> 00:12:47,467 Paralympic athletes to ever live. 314 00:12:47,567 --> 00:12:48,501 I wanna become the biggest athlete 315 00:12:48,535 --> 00:12:49,602 on the planet, 316 00:12:49,703 --> 00:12:52,972 and push those boundaries that society places on people 317 00:12:53,073 --> 00:12:55,041 with physical disabilities. 318 00:12:57,177 --> 00:12:59,979 (interviewer) Do you have a girlfriend? 319 00:13:00,080 --> 00:13:01,348 I don’t have a girlfriend. 320 00:13:01,381 --> 00:13:03,581 Do you want me to explain why I don’t have a girlfriend? 321 00:13:04,851 --> 00:13:07,253 I make decisions within the boundaries of, 322 00:13:07,287 --> 00:13:08,955 "Does this get me closer to my goals 323 00:13:09,055 --> 00:13:11,257 or get me farther?" 324 00:13:11,291 --> 00:13:12,292 Having a girlfriend, 325 00:13:12,392 --> 00:13:14,594 at least, at this stage of my life, 326 00:13:14,627 --> 00:13:16,830 does not get me closer to my goals. 327 00:13:16,863 --> 00:13:19,099 On to the weight room. 328 00:13:19,132 --> 00:13:21,310 There’s lots of drama involved with having a girlfriend, 329 00:13:21,334 --> 00:13:22,669 a huge time commitment. 330 00:13:22,769 --> 00:13:24,004 That’s time, 331 00:13:24,037 --> 00:13:26,039 that’s energy that I’m spending 332 00:13:26,072 --> 00:13:28,308 not getting myself closer to my goals. 333 00:13:28,341 --> 00:13:31,611 (ball thudding) 334 00:13:31,644 --> 00:13:34,347 (Clayton) Junior high and the first few years of high school, like, 335 00:13:34,447 --> 00:13:35,982 those are really fun years. 336 00:13:36,016 --> 00:13:38,318 He’s given up so much. 337 00:13:38,351 --> 00:13:40,120 He’s so committed. 338 00:13:41,154 --> 00:13:46,359 He has sacrificed his childhood. 339 00:13:46,393 --> 00:13:49,496 As a dad, I’m, like, what do you say to your child 340 00:13:49,596 --> 00:13:52,599 that’s been dreaming about this his whole life? 341 00:13:52,632 --> 00:13:55,001 (sole softly thudding) 342 00:13:57,003 --> 00:13:59,406 (equipment beeping) 343 00:13:59,439 --> 00:14:01,374 Hi, baby! 344 00:14:01,408 --> 00:14:03,410 There’s Daddy! 345 00:14:03,443 --> 00:14:04,477 Hi, baby! 346 00:14:11,518 --> 00:14:14,721 (Bahar) I was so excited about this child. 347 00:14:14,754 --> 00:14:16,423 My entire pregnancy, 348 00:14:16,523 --> 00:14:21,628 I was healthy, yoga, organic, exercising, meditating, 349 00:14:21,661 --> 00:14:24,431 like, so ready for this child. 350 00:14:43,516 --> 00:14:45,385 (baby crying) 351 00:14:45,418 --> 00:14:46,586 (exclamations, applause) 352 00:14:46,619 --> 00:14:48,455 When Ez was born, 353 00:14:48,488 --> 00:14:51,224 the nurse handed me this beautiful child, 354 00:14:51,257 --> 00:14:54,227 and I was, like, he took my breath away. 355 00:14:54,327 --> 00:14:56,296 (applause) 356 00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:58,865 Clay immediately started kicking people out of the room, 357 00:14:58,898 --> 00:15:01,067 and I’m thinking, "What is happening?" 358 00:15:01,101 --> 00:15:03,236 I looked at the doctor, 359 00:15:03,269 --> 00:15:06,072 and the doctor is freaking out, and I’m, like, 360 00:15:06,139 --> 00:15:07,540 "What’s goin’ on?" 361 00:15:07,574 --> 00:15:08,375 I’m, like, everybody... 362 00:15:08,408 --> 00:15:10,143 "What’s goin’ on, what’s goin’ on? 363 00:15:10,176 --> 00:15:11,811 Like, why are you all acting so weird?" 364 00:15:11,845 --> 00:15:13,947 And he said, "Something happened." 365 00:15:13,980 --> 00:15:15,615 -Oh, my God, you’re so... -Perfect! 366 00:15:17,317 --> 00:15:19,028 (Clayton) You know, when he kinda came out of the chute, 367 00:15:19,052 --> 00:15:23,757 I noticed... I noticed his hand was different. 368 00:15:23,790 --> 00:15:25,892 And at some point, I noticed the leg... 369 00:15:25,925 --> 00:15:28,261 Left leg is not straightened, either. 370 00:15:28,294 --> 00:15:31,064 It’s curved, the foot is up by the waist. 371 00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:32,808 I mean, it’s in a totally unnatural position. 372 00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:35,835 (man) All right, just gonna check and make sure everything’s okay. 373 00:15:35,869 --> 00:15:39,439 (overlapping remarks) 374 00:15:39,472 --> 00:15:43,777 (Bahar) Immediately, they called genetic specialists and doctors 375 00:15:43,877 --> 00:15:45,645 to take him away so they can do testing, 376 00:15:45,679 --> 00:15:48,882 ’cause they don’t know if it was his heart, major organs. 377 00:15:48,915 --> 00:15:50,016 We didn’t know anything. 378 00:15:50,050 --> 00:15:51,761 (man) Can I get a 3.0 when you get a second? 379 00:15:51,785 --> 00:15:53,019 (woman) A 3.0... 380 00:15:53,053 --> 00:15:55,021 (man) (unintelligible) on a CT. 381 00:15:55,055 --> 00:15:57,123 This fire surged through my body, 382 00:15:57,157 --> 00:16:00,326 and I’m trying to rip out my IV, 383 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:01,995 and I was just, like, "Gimme my baby!" 384 00:16:02,028 --> 00:16:03,963 I’m, like, "Gimme my baby." 385 00:16:03,997 --> 00:16:06,232 (baby fussing) 386 00:16:06,266 --> 00:16:08,802 I wanted to grab him and run out of the hospital 387 00:16:08,835 --> 00:16:11,338 and take my baby and take care of him. 388 00:16:11,438 --> 00:16:13,740 Images were flashing, boom, boom, boom, boom, 389 00:16:13,840 --> 00:16:15,709 in my head within seconds, 390 00:16:15,742 --> 00:16:17,477 flashes of his life, like... 391 00:16:17,577 --> 00:16:19,045 (overlapping sounds) 392 00:16:19,079 --> 00:16:20,613 what it’s gonna be like in school. 393 00:16:20,647 --> 00:16:21,481 Kids are gonna make fun of him. 394 00:16:21,514 --> 00:16:22,148 Is he gonna be bullied? 395 00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:23,616 Who’s gonna marry him? 396 00:16:23,650 --> 00:16:25,752 What is his life gonna be like? 397 00:16:25,785 --> 00:16:28,955 And he’s not even 24 hours old. 398 00:16:28,988 --> 00:16:30,590 We’re at the zoo, we’re at the zoo! 399 00:16:30,623 --> 00:16:33,026 Ezzie, look, there’s a meerkat right there. 400 00:16:33,059 --> 00:16:34,494 (overlapping chatter) 401 00:16:34,527 --> 00:16:37,697 Everywhere we went, people would stare. 402 00:16:37,731 --> 00:16:39,499 Everywhere. 403 00:16:39,532 --> 00:16:41,134 Ezzie, can you see him? 404 00:16:41,201 --> 00:16:43,269 I was really defensive. 405 00:16:43,303 --> 00:16:46,239 I was constantly, like, giving people dirty looks. 406 00:16:46,306 --> 00:16:48,975 But the most important thing for me was, 407 00:16:49,075 --> 00:16:51,444 how do I be the best mother to this child? 408 00:16:53,246 --> 00:16:55,115 When he would walk into a playground, 409 00:16:55,215 --> 00:16:58,618 all these kids would just rush over, 410 00:16:58,651 --> 00:17:01,321 like Ez was some freak show. 411 00:17:02,722 --> 00:17:06,893 It was my job to shift gears and say, "Hey, buddy. 412 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:08,294 You curious about Ezra? 413 00:17:08,328 --> 00:17:11,631 Let me tell you his story." 414 00:17:11,664 --> 00:17:13,400 I knew the darts would come, 415 00:17:13,433 --> 00:17:17,270 so, I had to build a foundation for him to charge forward 416 00:17:17,370 --> 00:17:21,908 and to feel confident in who he is 417 00:17:21,975 --> 00:17:24,110 to navigate this world. 418 00:17:24,144 --> 00:17:25,612 And then, when he was old enough, 419 00:17:25,645 --> 00:17:27,414 it was his voice. 420 00:17:27,514 --> 00:17:31,051 (uplifting music) 421 00:17:31,084 --> 00:17:32,662 (Ezra) The start of my public speaking career 422 00:17:32,686 --> 00:17:34,054 goes way back. 423 00:17:34,087 --> 00:17:36,022 I think I was four years old 424 00:17:36,122 --> 00:17:37,957 when I first started giving speeches. 425 00:17:37,991 --> 00:17:39,993 (boy) Why do you have a fake leg? 426 00:17:40,026 --> 00:17:41,828 (Ezra) I was born with a shorter leg, 427 00:17:41,861 --> 00:17:46,966 so I have a prosthetic leg to help me run and do stuff. 428 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:48,068 (Bahar) He was incredible, 429 00:17:48,134 --> 00:17:49,302 and he was articulate, 430 00:17:49,402 --> 00:17:51,771 he was speaking at public schools. 431 00:17:51,838 --> 00:17:54,107 (Ezra) I had surgery when I was two and a half years old, 432 00:17:54,140 --> 00:17:56,176 and they removed the curved part of my leg, 433 00:17:56,209 --> 00:17:59,045 and they took the big toe and put it on my left hand. 434 00:17:59,079 --> 00:18:02,215 Please welcome my new friend, Ezra Frech. 435 00:18:02,248 --> 00:18:03,817 - Ezra Frech. - Ezra Frech. 436 00:18:03,850 --> 00:18:05,952 Ezra Frech! 437 00:18:06,052 --> 00:18:08,254 (Clayton) He’s speaking to 17,000 people 438 00:18:08,288 --> 00:18:10,123 in basketball arenas, 439 00:18:10,156 --> 00:18:12,058 and he’s not nervous. 440 00:18:12,092 --> 00:18:14,127 Boy, oh boy, you’re something else, Ezra. 441 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:16,129 You just gotta know that being different is okay. 442 00:18:16,162 --> 00:18:17,630 Everyone’s different, 443 00:18:17,664 --> 00:18:19,008 whether you look different, you think different, 444 00:18:19,032 --> 00:18:20,433 or you act different. 445 00:18:20,533 --> 00:18:21,868 (applause) 446 00:18:21,901 --> 00:18:23,012 (Ezra) A lot of people with physical disabilities, 447 00:18:23,036 --> 00:18:24,237 they hide that, 448 00:18:24,270 --> 00:18:26,339 they shy away from being open about their stories. 449 00:18:26,373 --> 00:18:28,108 Growing up, we were always talking to people 450 00:18:28,174 --> 00:18:29,409 about my story. 451 00:18:29,442 --> 00:18:30,844 There was no hiding my disability. 452 00:18:30,877 --> 00:18:32,112 That wasn’t allowed. 453 00:18:32,178 --> 00:18:33,246 I was educating people, 454 00:18:33,346 --> 00:18:35,091 I was explaining what physical disabilities are, 455 00:18:35,115 --> 00:18:36,225 I was explaining what an amputation is, 456 00:18:36,249 --> 00:18:37,250 a prosthetic leg. 457 00:18:37,283 --> 00:18:40,086 You really motivate people left and right. 458 00:18:40,120 --> 00:18:42,422 (Ezra) My mom was really the person who initiated the idea 459 00:18:42,455 --> 00:18:43,666 of just sticking her chest out, 460 00:18:43,690 --> 00:18:46,059 walking in with confidence, putting your chin up, 461 00:18:46,092 --> 00:18:47,269 not retreating to this insecurity 462 00:18:47,293 --> 00:18:48,461 about my disability. 463 00:18:48,495 --> 00:18:51,865 It’s given me the confidence to not be concerned 464 00:18:51,898 --> 00:18:52,799 about judgment, 465 00:18:52,899 --> 00:18:56,202 concerned about what other people think of me. 466 00:18:56,269 --> 00:18:58,238 That really provided me with a foundation 467 00:18:58,338 --> 00:19:00,306 I continue to utilize to this day. 468 00:19:08,181 --> 00:19:11,551 (Sandra) This is a shrine to Jamal. 469 00:19:11,584 --> 00:19:14,020 Some of my favorite things and pictures. 470 00:19:14,054 --> 00:19:17,323 And this is his room. 471 00:19:20,093 --> 00:19:21,828 And this is my favorite picture of him, 472 00:19:21,861 --> 00:19:23,430 I’ll put it right there. 473 00:19:25,365 --> 00:19:27,400 I didn’t learn how to swim as a child, 474 00:19:27,467 --> 00:19:30,503 and I always thought that he would learn how to swim. 475 00:19:30,570 --> 00:19:33,106 I didn’t know that he had anything, 476 00:19:33,173 --> 00:19:35,842 like CMT or anything else, 477 00:19:35,909 --> 00:19:39,913 ’cause we didn’t find out until he was 9 or 10 years old. 478 00:19:39,979 --> 00:19:42,315 (contemplative music) 479 00:19:42,382 --> 00:19:44,617 ♪ 480 00:19:44,651 --> 00:19:47,253 (Jamal) Thanksgiving of my tenth year of life, 481 00:19:47,320 --> 00:19:49,322 we’re driving out to Thanksgiving dinner. 482 00:19:49,356 --> 00:19:50,790 I fall asleep in the car 483 00:19:50,824 --> 00:19:54,661 on the passenger-side backseat on my right arm, 484 00:19:54,694 --> 00:19:56,763 and I wake up, and, dude, my arm’s asleep. 485 00:19:56,796 --> 00:19:59,299 No big deal, don’t think anything of it. 486 00:19:59,332 --> 00:20:00,367 Get out of the car, 487 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:01,968 start to go play with my cousins, 488 00:20:02,002 --> 00:20:03,636 my right arm doesn’t wake up. 489 00:20:03,703 --> 00:20:06,006 I start to feel increasingly lethargic. 490 00:20:06,039 --> 00:20:08,408 ♪ 491 00:20:08,441 --> 00:20:11,811 We finally come to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, 492 00:20:11,845 --> 00:20:15,582 and I can’t even move my arms to pick up my fork. 493 00:20:15,648 --> 00:20:17,851 I’m able to tell my dad next to me, 494 00:20:17,917 --> 00:20:19,419 "Hey, something’s wrong. 495 00:20:19,486 --> 00:20:21,621 I don’t even know if I can stand right now," 496 00:20:21,654 --> 00:20:22,422 and he’s, like, 497 00:20:22,489 --> 00:20:25,458 "What in the world are you talking about?" 498 00:20:25,492 --> 00:20:27,827 Before we even get to eat Thanksgiving dinner, 499 00:20:27,861 --> 00:20:29,629 he’s carrying me out of the house, 500 00:20:29,662 --> 00:20:31,798 and we’re going to the local hospital. 501 00:20:31,831 --> 00:20:36,202 They start to do some CAT scans and things like that. 502 00:20:36,236 --> 00:20:37,637 So, the first three days, 503 00:20:37,704 --> 00:20:41,641 I’m pretty much in a full paralytic state. 504 00:20:41,708 --> 00:20:44,978 I’m getting MRI machine scans on a daily basis, 505 00:20:45,011 --> 00:20:49,716 spinal taps... you know, these huge, nine-inch needles. 506 00:20:49,749 --> 00:20:52,752 The doctors ultimately come up with this conclusion: 507 00:20:52,819 --> 00:20:54,487 "Okay, this is a type of neuropathy 508 00:20:54,554 --> 00:20:57,257 called Charcot-Marie-Tooth." 509 00:20:57,323 --> 00:20:58,858 After those three days, 510 00:20:58,892 --> 00:21:01,661 I can stand and I can walk now, but... 511 00:21:01,695 --> 00:21:04,164 I can’t really run the same. 512 00:21:04,230 --> 00:21:07,133 Now, I’m in this body where the nerve capacity 513 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:09,269 from my knees to the soles of my feet 514 00:21:09,302 --> 00:21:11,838 has been depleted to 0 percent, 515 00:21:11,871 --> 00:21:14,674 and the nerve capacity from my elbows to my fingertips 516 00:21:14,708 --> 00:21:18,578 has been depleted to 30 percent. 517 00:21:18,611 --> 00:21:20,580 A doctor came to my mom, she’s, like, 518 00:21:20,613 --> 00:21:24,417 "Hey, this is what your son can expect from life, 519 00:21:24,484 --> 00:21:26,619 living with this disability," 520 00:21:26,653 --> 00:21:30,623 and that just wasn’t something she was willing to accept. 521 00:21:30,657 --> 00:21:33,426 (Sandra) I just decided that there was no medical degree 522 00:21:33,493 --> 00:21:35,495 that could convince me 523 00:21:35,528 --> 00:21:38,098 that my son couldn’t do anything and everything. 524 00:21:39,766 --> 00:21:42,168 They’re telling me, "Well, he might fall down." 525 00:21:42,202 --> 00:21:43,837 I said, "Everybody falls down. 526 00:21:43,870 --> 00:21:45,672 That’s how you learn how to get up." 527 00:21:47,173 --> 00:21:49,242 I wasn’t gonna do that to him. 528 00:21:49,309 --> 00:21:51,277 I’ve never told him he had anything 529 00:21:51,311 --> 00:21:53,880 other than growing pains, 530 00:21:53,947 --> 00:21:55,715 and he believed me. 531 00:21:56,916 --> 00:21:59,753 For years, I didn’t have a name for it. 532 00:21:59,819 --> 00:22:02,322 I didn’t know what it was called. 533 00:22:02,355 --> 00:22:04,924 Not knowing protected me so much 534 00:22:04,991 --> 00:22:07,627 from starting to limit myself. 535 00:22:07,660 --> 00:22:08,895 I feel like, in some ways, 536 00:22:08,928 --> 00:22:10,764 I’ve been able to bend this disability 537 00:22:10,830 --> 00:22:13,500 to my will. 538 00:22:13,533 --> 00:22:15,735 Through high school, through college, 539 00:22:15,802 --> 00:22:20,707 coaches, teachers, staff, girlfriend, best friend, 540 00:22:20,740 --> 00:22:23,143 nobody knows this battle that I’m struggling with 541 00:22:23,176 --> 00:22:24,577 every day, 542 00:22:24,644 --> 00:22:27,113 and that’s how I’ve wanted it. 543 00:22:27,147 --> 00:22:30,850 Wilma Wong pulls me aside one day and she says, 544 00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:32,218 "Hey, look, buddy. 545 00:22:32,252 --> 00:22:34,721 Um, I’ve been watching you for a year, 546 00:22:34,754 --> 00:22:38,558 and everyone else is improving; you’re not. 547 00:22:38,591 --> 00:22:41,895 I look at the way that you climb out of the pool. 548 00:22:41,961 --> 00:22:44,097 I see the way that you," air quotes, "’dive’ 549 00:22:44,130 --> 00:22:45,999 off of the swimming blocks. 550 00:22:46,066 --> 00:22:48,935 Dude, it’s not a dive; you’re just falling in." 551 00:22:49,002 --> 00:22:51,104 I feel seen, 552 00:22:51,171 --> 00:22:53,606 and that was the first time I really started to learn 553 00:22:53,640 --> 00:22:55,809 a little bit about this disease 554 00:22:55,842 --> 00:22:58,478 that I’ve been living with for so long. 555 00:22:58,511 --> 00:23:01,448 (uplifting music) 556 00:23:01,481 --> 00:23:04,384 (Wilma) I said, "I think you can continue to try 557 00:23:04,451 --> 00:23:06,653 to go to the Olympics, but, really, the route 558 00:23:06,720 --> 00:23:08,688 that might be even better for you 559 00:23:08,722 --> 00:23:11,257 would be the Paralympics." 560 00:23:11,291 --> 00:23:14,761 (Jamal) I’ll never forget how much that hurt my heart 561 00:23:14,794 --> 00:23:16,496 in that moment. 562 00:23:16,563 --> 00:23:18,264 But maybe there’s something here. 563 00:23:18,331 --> 00:23:19,899 Maybe this is my path. 564 00:23:19,966 --> 00:23:22,569 Maybe this is divine intervention. 565 00:23:22,602 --> 00:23:26,306 Let me just surrender to it and see where it goes. 566 00:23:26,339 --> 00:23:31,044 (Wilma) It was a turning point to embrace disability. 567 00:23:31,077 --> 00:23:34,214 If you can take that trauma and turn it into a diamond, 568 00:23:34,247 --> 00:23:38,351 the trauma of having to hide your disability all your life 569 00:23:38,418 --> 00:23:41,321 and not feeling good enough, 570 00:23:41,354 --> 00:23:44,958 then that trauma becomes your superpower. 571 00:23:44,991 --> 00:23:46,026 ♪ 572 00:23:46,059 --> 00:23:47,269 (Jamal) Couple months later, September, October, 573 00:23:47,293 --> 00:23:52,165 I was at my first Paralympics swim meet, California Classic. 574 00:23:52,198 --> 00:23:55,402 I went to my first national championships that year, 575 00:23:55,435 --> 00:23:58,705 won my first national championship medal. 576 00:23:58,772 --> 00:24:00,840 I started to go through the emotional experience 577 00:24:00,874 --> 00:24:03,543 of acknowledging my disability. 578 00:24:03,610 --> 00:24:05,278 Now, I’m stepping into my truth, 579 00:24:05,345 --> 00:24:07,247 and I’m telling my story, 580 00:24:07,280 --> 00:24:10,717 and I’m on the friggin’ U.S. Paralympics Swimming Team. 581 00:24:10,784 --> 00:24:12,919 ♪ 582 00:24:12,952 --> 00:24:15,055 (man) The start list includes Jamal Hill 583 00:24:15,121 --> 00:24:16,856 at his first Paralympic Games. 584 00:24:16,890 --> 00:24:19,592 This is somebody who’s got some talent 585 00:24:19,659 --> 00:24:21,561 to look out for in the future. 586 00:24:23,029 --> 00:24:24,798 (Jamal) Having been through Tokyo, 587 00:24:24,831 --> 00:24:27,734 there’s a part of me that’s grateful for it, 588 00:24:27,767 --> 00:24:29,703 but I still want more. 589 00:24:29,769 --> 00:24:32,672 (man) Undoubtedly, the individual to watch, Simone Barlaam. 590 00:24:32,706 --> 00:24:34,974 He’s picked up seven gold medals 591 00:24:35,008 --> 00:24:37,410 in the last two world championship titles. 592 00:24:37,444 --> 00:24:39,579 He is going to be very difficult to beat, 593 00:24:39,612 --> 00:24:42,248 but Tarasov, Martin, Hill, 594 00:24:42,282 --> 00:24:44,184 even Solberg would fancy a chance. 595 00:24:44,217 --> 00:24:45,652 (buzzer) 596 00:24:45,685 --> 00:24:47,687 Disken is gonna need to pull out a big swim 597 00:24:47,721 --> 00:24:50,056 if he’s to go anywhere close to claiming the silver 598 00:24:50,090 --> 00:24:51,791 that he took in Rio. 599 00:24:51,858 --> 00:24:54,561 Tarasov looks the fastest right now. 600 00:24:54,594 --> 00:24:57,097 Well, maybe, it’s... Hill got a good start 601 00:24:57,163 --> 00:24:58,598 and is into his stroke. 602 00:24:58,665 --> 00:25:00,567 But it’s Barlaam coming to the wall. 603 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:02,669 He’s going to touch Paralympic record time 604 00:25:02,736 --> 00:25:03,770 ahead of Tarasov. 605 00:25:03,837 --> 00:25:06,473 Jamal Hill does medal for the United States. 606 00:25:06,539 --> 00:25:08,408 A good start to put him in good stead. 607 00:25:08,441 --> 00:25:09,943 25.19. 608 00:25:10,010 --> 00:25:10,877 And for Jamal Hill, 609 00:25:10,910 --> 00:25:13,913 what a way to make your Paralympic Games debut. 610 00:25:13,947 --> 00:25:16,883 (woman) Yeah, I mean, Jamal Hill, that was unexpected by him, 611 00:25:16,916 --> 00:25:19,252 but this is always what happens in the 50 freestyle. 612 00:25:19,285 --> 00:25:21,154 It’s anybody’s race, it’s one length. 613 00:25:21,221 --> 00:25:24,290 Every single second, every tenth of a second counts. 614 00:25:24,324 --> 00:25:27,761 (majestic music) 615 00:25:27,827 --> 00:25:29,729 (Jamal) There’s a part of me that’s proud 616 00:25:29,763 --> 00:25:32,165 because that was a mission accomplished 617 00:25:32,198 --> 00:25:34,668 at that time. 618 00:25:34,701 --> 00:25:36,936 But you don’t spend the last three years training 619 00:25:37,003 --> 00:25:40,073 to do anything other than win a gold medal. 620 00:25:40,140 --> 00:25:43,043 ♪ 621 00:25:43,076 --> 00:25:45,745 Yeah, this is good, and this may be even great, 622 00:25:45,812 --> 00:25:47,580 but, like, can we make it more great? 623 00:25:49,582 --> 00:25:51,718 (lively music) 624 00:25:51,751 --> 00:25:53,653 ♪ 625 00:25:53,687 --> 00:25:57,857 (man) Hello and welcome to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, 626 00:25:57,891 --> 00:26:00,994 as the United States of America 627 00:26:01,027 --> 00:26:04,731 take on the People’s Republic of China. 628 00:26:04,764 --> 00:26:07,534 The Chinese, undefeated so far 629 00:26:07,567 --> 00:26:11,671 in this wheelchair basketball competition. 630 00:26:11,705 --> 00:26:14,341 (Courtney) You are at the Paralympic Games. 631 00:26:14,374 --> 00:26:15,909 You have made it to this level. 632 00:26:15,942 --> 00:26:19,045 You are at that pinnacle point of your career 633 00:26:19,079 --> 00:26:21,648 where you get to represent Team USA. 634 00:26:21,715 --> 00:26:25,218 - One, two, three! - USA! 635 00:26:25,251 --> 00:26:30,523 (Courtney) Team USA came off in 2016 winning a gold medal. 636 00:26:30,557 --> 00:26:33,093 This team has a lot less experience, 637 00:26:33,126 --> 00:26:35,895 but we have a lot of high expectations. 638 00:26:35,929 --> 00:26:38,098 (air horn blaring, whistle blowing) 639 00:26:38,131 --> 00:26:40,600 (man) Here we are then, and it is the Americans 640 00:26:40,667 --> 00:26:43,603 who will have the first possession of the game. 641 00:26:43,636 --> 00:26:46,806 Shot goes up from Courtney Ryan, all string. 642 00:26:46,840 --> 00:26:49,142 A chance for Ryan in the transition. 643 00:26:49,209 --> 00:26:51,211 Gotta get it up before the buzzer does so 644 00:26:51,244 --> 00:26:51,945 and lays it in. 645 00:26:52,012 --> 00:26:56,016 Great first quarter for Courtney Ryan. 646 00:26:56,049 --> 00:27:01,287 (Josie) China was a game for us that was unexpectedly hard. 647 00:27:01,321 --> 00:27:04,090 (man) Second half, USA, 21. 648 00:27:04,124 --> 00:27:05,692 China, seven. 649 00:27:05,725 --> 00:27:08,762 And there we go, a made basket for China. 650 00:27:08,795 --> 00:27:13,266 We did relatively well against them in the first half, 651 00:27:13,299 --> 00:27:17,170 and then the second half just kind of didn’t go our way. 652 00:27:17,237 --> 00:27:19,372 (man) That’s better ball movement from the Chinese. 653 00:27:19,406 --> 00:27:22,842 And Chen underneath for two. 654 00:27:22,876 --> 00:27:24,844 (Josie) They play a different sort of basketball 655 00:27:24,878 --> 00:27:26,980 than any other team I’ve ever seen. 656 00:27:27,013 --> 00:27:30,417 They stay very laser-focused on their mission 657 00:27:30,450 --> 00:27:32,652 and their game plan as a unit. 658 00:27:32,686 --> 00:27:34,387 (man) Good ball movement to Dai. 659 00:27:34,421 --> 00:27:36,122 Dai knocks it down. 660 00:27:36,156 --> 00:27:38,758 It’s a two-point game with eight minutes to play. 661 00:27:38,792 --> 00:27:41,494 What a second half this is from China. 662 00:27:41,528 --> 00:27:43,863 Can the Americans respond? 663 00:27:43,897 --> 00:27:46,099 Ryan carrying them in the first half. 664 00:27:46,132 --> 00:27:48,668 They haven’t really been able to get her too many looks 665 00:27:48,702 --> 00:27:50,036 in the second half. 666 00:27:50,070 --> 00:27:52,572 And, now, they’re running out of time. 667 00:27:52,639 --> 00:27:54,641 Ten seconds to go! 668 00:27:54,708 --> 00:27:57,544 USA need a three to force overtime. 669 00:27:57,577 --> 00:27:59,379 Hollermann forward to Ryan. 670 00:27:59,412 --> 00:28:02,582 They’ll score on the buzzer, but it won’t be enough. 671 00:28:02,615 --> 00:28:05,251 They’re gonna be one point short, USA. 672 00:28:05,318 --> 00:28:07,620 (Courtney) I have been training the past three years 673 00:28:07,654 --> 00:28:12,325 to be in that gold medal game, and, now, it was cut short. 674 00:28:12,359 --> 00:28:15,462 It was a tough pill to swallow. 675 00:28:15,495 --> 00:28:18,865 (Josie) We were able to pull out bronze against Germany. 676 00:28:18,898 --> 00:28:22,268 It’s better than no medal, but it was definitely tough. 677 00:28:22,335 --> 00:28:26,740 (man) A 13-point win for Trooper Johnson’s team 678 00:28:26,773 --> 00:28:28,975 in Tokyo 2020. 679 00:28:36,349 --> 00:28:39,419 (indistinct chatter) 680 00:28:39,452 --> 00:28:42,522 (chuckling) 681 00:28:42,555 --> 00:28:44,024 - Good to see you. - You too, you too. 682 00:28:44,057 --> 00:28:45,234 Let’s have some fun today, bro. 683 00:28:45,258 --> 00:28:48,428 - This will be fun, yeah? - Yeah, definitely, always is. 684 00:28:51,531 --> 00:28:53,867 (Ezra) I’ve had this really amazing opportunity come about 685 00:28:53,900 --> 00:28:57,170 to get to work with a Paralympic legend, 686 00:28:57,237 --> 00:29:01,474 arguably the greatest Paralympic high jumper of all time. 687 00:29:01,508 --> 00:29:03,343 (man) Roderick Townsend. 688 00:29:03,376 --> 00:29:05,178 (bright music) 689 00:29:05,211 --> 00:29:06,746 (cheering) 690 00:29:06,780 --> 00:29:09,582 Making it look easy. 691 00:29:09,616 --> 00:29:14,354 He is the best high jumper of his era. 692 00:29:14,387 --> 00:29:17,691 (Ezra) Rod was one of those guys in 2016, 693 00:29:17,724 --> 00:29:20,427 when I was just a little kid watching the Rio Paralympics, 694 00:29:20,493 --> 00:29:23,029 that I really looked up to. 695 00:29:23,063 --> 00:29:24,831 He’s been a mentor, 696 00:29:24,864 --> 00:29:27,067 an older brother-type figure for me. 697 00:29:28,902 --> 00:29:30,904 (Roderick) Just jump straight up, baby. 698 00:29:30,937 --> 00:29:33,239 Big push, jump straight up. 699 00:29:33,273 --> 00:29:35,175 (indistinct chatter) 700 00:29:39,679 --> 00:29:41,848 (Ezra) Ah! That was my right leg. 701 00:29:41,881 --> 00:29:43,693 (Roderick) Yeah, but only because you were close. 702 00:29:43,717 --> 00:29:44,951 Yeah. 703 00:29:44,984 --> 00:29:47,754 (Ezra) He offered to come on as my head coach. 704 00:29:47,787 --> 00:29:51,124 It just seemed like it made the most sense. 705 00:29:51,157 --> 00:29:53,560 Even though we compete in different classifications, 706 00:29:53,593 --> 00:29:54,994 we do a lot of the same events. 707 00:29:55,028 --> 00:29:58,164 And it’s great to get wisdom, advice, and coaching 708 00:29:58,198 --> 00:29:59,799 from someone who’s already accomplished 709 00:29:59,833 --> 00:30:02,502 a lot of the things that you want to accomplish. 710 00:30:05,305 --> 00:30:08,108 (Roderick) There we go (indistinct). 711 00:30:08,174 --> 00:30:12,212 This is a kid who this has been his entire life’s dream. 712 00:30:12,245 --> 00:30:15,515 I don’t see many people who want it more than he does. 713 00:30:21,955 --> 00:30:24,357 (indistinct announcement) 714 00:30:31,898 --> 00:30:32,966 (Wilma) Ready? 715 00:30:32,999 --> 00:30:35,135 Take your mark. 716 00:30:35,168 --> 00:30:36,168 Up! 717 00:30:36,202 --> 00:30:38,505 (splashing) 718 00:30:51,718 --> 00:30:54,487 It’s been a really interesting road. 719 00:30:54,521 --> 00:30:57,323 We had to create a whole new dive for him. 720 00:30:57,357 --> 00:30:59,325 (splashing) 721 00:30:59,359 --> 00:31:02,295 He can’t really feel his feet. 722 00:31:02,328 --> 00:31:03,463 Up! 723 00:31:03,496 --> 00:31:05,365 (splashing) 724 00:31:06,833 --> 00:31:07,910 - Yeah. - You can actually see, 725 00:31:07,934 --> 00:31:10,370 you’re grabbing less water, and it’s really, 726 00:31:10,403 --> 00:31:14,607 really, really tight through that right there. 727 00:31:14,641 --> 00:31:15,809 It takes time. 728 00:31:15,842 --> 00:31:20,714 But the fastest in the world, they’re just faster right now. 729 00:31:20,747 --> 00:31:21,614 Up! 730 00:31:21,648 --> 00:31:23,616 (splashing) 731 00:31:23,650 --> 00:31:26,186 (dramatic music) 732 00:31:26,219 --> 00:31:34,219 ♪ 733 00:31:38,431 --> 00:31:40,667 (Jamal) National championships is a major milestone 734 00:31:40,700 --> 00:31:43,570 on this path to Paris. 735 00:31:43,603 --> 00:31:46,773 Really, what I’m there to do is, I’m racing against myself, 736 00:31:46,873 --> 00:31:47,873 you know? 737 00:31:51,644 --> 00:31:53,313 (beep, splashing) 738 00:31:53,380 --> 00:31:59,352 ♪ 739 00:32:08,928 --> 00:32:11,331 (whistle blowing) 740 00:32:11,398 --> 00:32:18,972 ♪ 741 00:32:19,806 --> 00:32:22,809 (beep, splashing) 742 00:32:22,842 --> 00:32:25,378 (tense music) 743 00:32:25,412 --> 00:32:33,412 ♪ 744 00:32:55,342 --> 00:32:56,676 (Jamal) Long hold on the start. 745 00:32:56,710 --> 00:32:57,877 (Wilma) Yeah, well... 746 00:32:57,911 --> 00:33:00,613 (indistinct announcement) 747 00:33:00,647 --> 00:33:02,048 (Wilma) That puts you... 748 00:33:02,148 --> 00:33:04,117 It moves you up in the world. 749 00:33:07,387 --> 00:33:08,421 Merry Christmas. 750 00:33:08,455 --> 00:33:09,823 (whistle blowing) 751 00:33:09,856 --> 00:33:11,558 (Wilma) Jamal had a really great day. 752 00:33:11,591 --> 00:33:16,062 The results are it’s probably his third fastest time ever. 753 00:33:16,096 --> 00:33:19,399 I think his mindset is better than it’s ever been. 754 00:33:19,432 --> 00:33:21,110 He’s ramping back up, and it’s really great 755 00:33:21,134 --> 00:33:23,269 that he’s in this position right now. 756 00:33:23,303 --> 00:33:25,572 So, I’m looking forward to Paris. 757 00:33:26,639 --> 00:33:28,742 (indistinct chatter) 758 00:33:28,775 --> 00:33:31,144 (basketballs thumping) 759 00:33:39,819 --> 00:33:43,790 (Josie) There was a point after Tokyo where, like, 760 00:33:43,823 --> 00:33:45,825 you and I were not ready to play again. 761 00:33:45,859 --> 00:33:47,027 - Mm-mm. - Like, I didn’t know 762 00:33:47,093 --> 00:33:48,762 if I was coming back. 763 00:33:48,795 --> 00:33:49,629 (Courtney) Yeah. 764 00:33:49,662 --> 00:33:51,998 Yeah, like, I can still look at my bronze medal 765 00:33:52,032 --> 00:33:56,936 and have, like, a lot of pride in it, 766 00:33:56,970 --> 00:33:59,706 but, then, the shine is a little... 767 00:33:59,773 --> 00:34:03,643 tainted a little bit because of those experiences. 768 00:34:03,677 --> 00:34:07,013 (man) Zurbrugg slings it across for Ryan, 769 00:34:07,047 --> 00:34:10,050 out of her fingertips and out of bounds. 770 00:34:10,083 --> 00:34:12,886 Germany ball, down by seven. 771 00:34:12,919 --> 00:34:14,721 (soft music) 772 00:34:14,754 --> 00:34:16,990 (Josie) Our coaches used to be really hard on us, 773 00:34:17,023 --> 00:34:18,625 to the point where it really felt 774 00:34:18,658 --> 00:34:20,560 like emotional misconduct. 775 00:34:20,660 --> 00:34:22,696 And I think we were all conditioned 776 00:34:22,796 --> 00:34:24,731 to be very, very fearful. 777 00:34:24,798 --> 00:34:26,366 ♪ 778 00:34:26,399 --> 00:34:29,569 (Desiree) I remember getting messages from a lot of the girls 779 00:34:29,602 --> 00:34:30,870 just asking what to do, 780 00:34:30,904 --> 00:34:34,741 how to navigate something like this. 781 00:34:34,841 --> 00:34:36,910 It’s not easy to go against 782 00:34:37,010 --> 00:34:40,180 someone in a leadership position. 783 00:34:40,213 --> 00:34:42,849 It’s hard to call out those types of things, right, 784 00:34:42,882 --> 00:34:44,517 without thinking of backlash, 785 00:34:44,551 --> 00:34:46,519 what that might do to your career. 786 00:34:46,553 --> 00:34:48,188 ♪ 787 00:34:48,221 --> 00:34:52,225 (Josie) We felt like we hadn’t been heard truly. 788 00:34:52,258 --> 00:34:55,095 Deciding that we were gonna go to social media, 789 00:34:55,161 --> 00:34:57,397 it was our last resort. 790 00:34:57,430 --> 00:34:59,499 ♪ 791 00:34:59,532 --> 00:35:03,269 Both of us, on our phone, rewriting it, editing it, 792 00:35:03,303 --> 00:35:05,939 looking at it about ten times. 793 00:35:05,972 --> 00:35:08,274 ♪ 794 00:35:08,308 --> 00:35:09,452 (Christina) These women were brave enough 795 00:35:09,476 --> 00:35:11,911 to bring their experiences to light. 796 00:35:11,978 --> 00:35:13,913 ♪ 797 00:35:13,947 --> 00:35:16,116 Those two are big voices in this, 798 00:35:16,149 --> 00:35:18,618 in making a change. 799 00:35:18,685 --> 00:35:21,287 In everything that they do, they are empowering. 800 00:35:21,321 --> 00:35:22,522 They empower each other. 801 00:35:22,555 --> 00:35:24,824 They empower people around them. 802 00:35:24,858 --> 00:35:32,858 ♪ 803 00:35:33,266 --> 00:35:35,101 I’m a three-time gold medalist as an athlete 804 00:35:35,135 --> 00:35:37,504 in the sport of wheelchair basketball. 805 00:35:37,537 --> 00:35:41,241 I did say yes because I wanted to support these women, 806 00:35:41,274 --> 00:35:43,576 and I believe these women. 807 00:35:43,610 --> 00:35:46,479 And if there’s any healing that’s coming out of this, 808 00:35:46,513 --> 00:35:48,581 I hope that I’m a part of that. 809 00:35:48,615 --> 00:35:50,617 ♪ 810 00:35:50,717 --> 00:35:53,920 (Desiree) Me, personally, I came in with a goal of coaching 811 00:35:53,953 --> 00:35:59,192 from a spot of empathy, from a spot of light and fun. 812 00:35:59,225 --> 00:36:01,661 And, also, rewriting what it means 813 00:36:01,695 --> 00:36:06,599 to be competitive and hard in the sport as well. 814 00:36:06,633 --> 00:36:08,435 (buzzer) 815 00:36:08,535 --> 00:36:10,503 (Courtney) I think the biggest thing for me, too, 816 00:36:10,537 --> 00:36:16,710 is, like, we kind of lost why we played basketball. 817 00:36:16,743 --> 00:36:19,179 And I think they’ve really brought back the idea 818 00:36:19,212 --> 00:36:22,315 of, like, we play this game because we have fun. 819 00:36:22,349 --> 00:36:23,917 - Yeah. - We play this game 820 00:36:23,950 --> 00:36:25,452 because we love it. 821 00:36:25,518 --> 00:36:27,120 ♪ 822 00:36:27,153 --> 00:36:30,323 It’s such a different experience and team 823 00:36:30,357 --> 00:36:32,192 than we had before. 824 00:36:32,225 --> 00:36:33,993 And I’m pumped. 825 00:36:34,027 --> 00:36:35,695 - Yeah, me too. - I’m pumped. 826 00:36:35,729 --> 00:36:37,063 Yeah. 827 00:36:37,163 --> 00:36:39,432 (shouting) 828 00:36:40,867 --> 00:36:42,502 (woman) Take the middle! 829 00:36:42,535 --> 00:36:43,803 (woman 2) Got it, got it! 830 00:36:43,837 --> 00:36:45,205 Ooh! 831 00:36:45,238 --> 00:36:46,439 (whistling) 832 00:36:46,473 --> 00:36:48,508 (Christina) Quick break, bring it in, let’s go! 833 00:36:50,744 --> 00:36:53,480 Things I want you to think about in this practice. 834 00:36:53,513 --> 00:36:55,682 Our swings have to be quick. 835 00:36:55,715 --> 00:36:58,651 When we’re in a game, they have to be quick, okay? 836 00:36:58,685 --> 00:37:01,554 If I’m thinking ahead, right, like, you ever see China? 837 00:37:01,621 --> 00:37:04,124 Think about, like, how they pass the ball, 838 00:37:04,157 --> 00:37:06,459 and they catch, shoot, right? 839 00:37:06,493 --> 00:37:08,595 So, that means our head has to be on a swivel 840 00:37:08,695 --> 00:37:10,430 on defense, right? 841 00:37:10,463 --> 00:37:13,366 Okay, questions, comments, concerns? 842 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:15,101 No funny jokes? 843 00:37:15,135 --> 00:37:16,503 All right, then let’s go. 844 00:37:18,004 --> 00:37:20,507 - One, two, three! - USA! 845 00:37:42,295 --> 00:37:44,664 (Ezra) Most people get super nervous... 846 00:37:47,300 --> 00:37:49,669 before competitions. 847 00:37:49,736 --> 00:37:50,770 And it’s normal. 848 00:37:50,837 --> 00:37:53,473 I don’t get... I don’t get super nervous. 849 00:37:53,540 --> 00:37:55,275 Um... 850 00:37:55,342 --> 00:37:57,310 Nerves have never really, like, 851 00:37:57,344 --> 00:37:58,211 I don’t really feel nervous. 852 00:37:58,311 --> 00:38:00,780 I more feel excited, amped, ready to go. 853 00:38:00,847 --> 00:38:02,916 I know that I’ve done the work, right? 854 00:38:02,949 --> 00:38:05,752 This is almost the easier part. 855 00:38:05,785 --> 00:38:07,454 And I’m prepared. 856 00:38:07,520 --> 00:38:09,589 I trusted my coaches this whole time. 857 00:38:09,656 --> 00:38:11,224 I’ve trusted my team around me. 858 00:38:11,291 --> 00:38:13,393 It’s just now time to trust myself. 859 00:38:15,395 --> 00:38:18,331 Leading up to the 2023 world championships... 860 00:38:18,365 --> 00:38:19,599 I think that’s everything. 861 00:38:19,632 --> 00:38:21,768 I switched prosthetics, 862 00:38:21,801 --> 00:38:23,169 I switched trainers, 863 00:38:23,203 --> 00:38:25,905 I switched coaches. 864 00:38:25,939 --> 00:38:28,308 I basically took everything that I was doing 865 00:38:28,341 --> 00:38:31,378 to a whole ’nother level. 866 00:38:31,444 --> 00:38:34,748 I was ready to go out there and take this world title. 867 00:38:34,848 --> 00:38:37,217 (upbeat music) 868 00:38:37,283 --> 00:38:39,119 ♪ 869 00:38:39,152 --> 00:38:41,621 High jump works where any competitor 870 00:38:41,654 --> 00:38:44,591 can start their competition at whatever height they want. 871 00:38:44,657 --> 00:38:46,159 ♪ 872 00:38:46,192 --> 00:38:49,696 In Tokyo, 180 was my final clearance. 873 00:38:49,763 --> 00:38:52,966 Being my first international competition 874 00:38:52,999 --> 00:38:55,168 since the Tokyo Games, 875 00:38:55,235 --> 00:38:56,736 Rod and I were both in agreement. 876 00:38:56,803 --> 00:39:00,106 We were like, "Let’s do 180. 877 00:39:00,140 --> 00:39:01,474 Let’s send a message." 878 00:39:01,541 --> 00:39:05,245 ♪ 879 00:39:05,311 --> 00:39:07,080 I came in at 180. 880 00:39:07,113 --> 00:39:08,193 Cleared that really easily. 881 00:39:08,248 --> 00:39:10,583 Bar then went to 183. 882 00:39:10,650 --> 00:39:13,386 Cleared that as well. 883 00:39:13,420 --> 00:39:15,922 Bar then went to 186. 884 00:39:15,955 --> 00:39:17,323 ♪ 885 00:39:17,357 --> 00:39:19,359 (cheering) 886 00:39:19,426 --> 00:39:22,996 By my third jump of the competition, at 186, 887 00:39:23,063 --> 00:39:24,330 I had already won. 888 00:39:24,364 --> 00:39:27,500 (cheering) 889 00:39:27,534 --> 00:39:28,702 Rod made it very clear to me 890 00:39:28,735 --> 00:39:30,570 that I wasn’t allowed to celebrate 891 00:39:30,637 --> 00:39:32,381 because I was going for something way higher, 892 00:39:32,405 --> 00:39:36,109 way greater, which was the world record. 893 00:39:36,176 --> 00:39:37,610 (tense music) 894 00:39:37,677 --> 00:39:39,412 After you win a high jump competition 895 00:39:39,479 --> 00:39:41,915 and there’s no one else still competing, 896 00:39:41,981 --> 00:39:42,782 you can essentially choose 897 00:39:42,849 --> 00:39:44,169 whatever height you want to go to. 898 00:39:44,217 --> 00:39:48,421 (woman) And it looks like he might be continuing to jump on. 899 00:39:48,488 --> 00:39:49,932 I think he was just having a discussion with Townsend 900 00:39:49,956 --> 00:39:52,092 about what he should put the bar up to. 901 00:39:52,158 --> 00:39:53,736 (Ezra) I walked over to the officials and told them 902 00:39:53,760 --> 00:39:55,495 that I wanted to go to one centimeter 903 00:39:55,528 --> 00:39:57,564 - above the world record. - And he looks like 904 00:39:57,597 --> 00:39:59,432 he is going for something big. 905 00:39:59,499 --> 00:40:01,368 (Ezra) And we put the bar up to 191. 906 00:40:01,434 --> 00:40:02,836 Let’s go! 907 00:40:02,869 --> 00:40:05,305 (cheering) 908 00:40:05,372 --> 00:40:06,415 I hadn’t missed in the competition 909 00:40:06,439 --> 00:40:07,841 up until that point. 910 00:40:07,874 --> 00:40:14,147 ♪ 911 00:40:14,180 --> 00:40:15,715 (crowd exclamations) 912 00:40:15,749 --> 00:40:16,916 ♪ 913 00:40:17,017 --> 00:40:18,918 (Roderick) Make sure you take your time with it. 914 00:40:18,952 --> 00:40:20,596 You got all... you got all the time in the world. 915 00:40:20,620 --> 00:40:26,826 ♪ 916 00:40:26,860 --> 00:40:30,430 (Ezra) I missed my first two attempts at 191 917 00:40:30,463 --> 00:40:32,032 at this world record height. 918 00:40:32,065 --> 00:40:33,566 And I remember walking over, 919 00:40:33,600 --> 00:40:35,368 and Rod was standing next to me. 920 00:40:35,402 --> 00:40:37,537 He was telling me, "Come on, bro. 921 00:40:37,570 --> 00:40:40,306 We came all the way to Paris just to win a world title 922 00:40:40,373 --> 00:40:41,641 and not break the world record? 923 00:40:41,708 --> 00:40:43,043 You can clear this height. 924 00:40:43,076 --> 00:40:43,977 What are we doing?" 925 00:40:44,044 --> 00:40:47,414 ♪ 926 00:40:47,480 --> 00:40:49,349 This is my third attempt at the world record. 927 00:40:49,382 --> 00:40:50,884 I’m gonna have won a world title 928 00:40:50,950 --> 00:40:53,687 and be pissed if I don’t break the world record. 929 00:40:53,753 --> 00:40:55,388 (man) So, Ezra Frech, 930 00:40:55,422 --> 00:40:58,258 with a world champion in his corner, 931 00:40:58,324 --> 00:41:00,894 third and final attempt now. 932 00:41:00,927 --> 00:41:05,765 ♪ 933 00:41:05,799 --> 00:41:08,034 And this time he’s made it! 934 00:41:08,068 --> 00:41:10,070 As for Ezra Frech, 935 00:41:10,136 --> 00:41:12,706 his time is now! 936 00:41:12,739 --> 00:41:16,309 The advice from Roderick Townsend was perfect. 937 00:41:16,376 --> 00:41:19,579 And Ezra Frech has added one centimeter 938 00:41:19,612 --> 00:41:22,382 to the world record that stuck for four years. 939 00:41:22,449 --> 00:41:26,820 ♪ 940 00:41:26,853 --> 00:41:28,655 (Ezra) I went back over to the officials 941 00:41:28,688 --> 00:41:30,090 and told them that I wanted to go 942 00:41:30,123 --> 00:41:31,458 at four centimeters higher. 943 00:41:31,524 --> 00:41:32,992 (man) He wants to go on. 944 00:41:33,026 --> 00:41:34,994 He wants to go to 195. 945 00:41:35,061 --> 00:41:37,831 ♪ 946 00:41:37,864 --> 00:41:40,667 (Ezra) Took first attempt, missed it. 947 00:41:40,700 --> 00:41:42,469 (man) Uncharted territory. 948 00:41:42,535 --> 00:41:43,803 New heights. 949 00:41:48,375 --> 00:41:52,746 ♪ 950 00:41:52,812 --> 00:41:55,248 (man) 191, the new world record. 951 00:41:55,281 --> 00:41:57,984 Going for 195. 952 00:41:58,051 --> 00:42:00,186 This man is superman! 953 00:42:00,253 --> 00:42:02,055 ♪ 954 00:42:02,122 --> 00:42:05,225 Ezra Frech is unstoppable! 955 00:42:05,258 --> 00:42:08,962 ♪ 956 00:42:09,029 --> 00:42:11,040 (Ezra) It’s just one of the most special moments of my career, 957 00:42:11,064 --> 00:42:14,668 getting to win a world title and break the world record 958 00:42:14,734 --> 00:42:18,171 in front of my family, in front of my friends. 959 00:42:18,238 --> 00:42:20,674 (uplifting music) 960 00:42:20,740 --> 00:42:22,542 ♪ 961 00:42:22,609 --> 00:42:24,444 There always is that little bit of doubt, 962 00:42:24,477 --> 00:42:25,679 that little bit of insecurity 963 00:42:25,745 --> 00:42:27,781 that maybe you’re not who you say you are. 964 00:42:27,881 --> 00:42:31,017 Maybe when it comes down to it, you’re not that guy. 965 00:42:31,051 --> 00:42:32,619 (soft music) 966 00:42:32,652 --> 00:42:34,921 What happened at world championships in 2023 967 00:42:34,954 --> 00:42:38,391 was me validating to myself that I am that guy 968 00:42:38,491 --> 00:42:41,127 when it matters. 969 00:42:41,194 --> 00:42:42,194 Look at the screensaver. 970 00:42:42,228 --> 00:42:43,797 "Never again." 971 00:42:43,830 --> 00:42:46,032 That’s a photo of the medalists in Tokyo. 972 00:42:46,132 --> 00:42:47,367 I’m not in that photo. 973 00:42:47,434 --> 00:42:48,935 Never again. Never again. 974 00:42:48,968 --> 00:42:51,338 I vowed when I walked off the track in Tokyo, 975 00:42:51,371 --> 00:42:53,907 I said, "I will never walk away from a major championship 976 00:42:53,940 --> 00:42:57,210 without a medal until the day I retire." 977 00:42:57,243 --> 00:42:58,712 This is the beginning of that. 978 00:42:58,778 --> 00:43:00,847 I am grateful and honored to come out here 979 00:43:00,880 --> 00:43:02,892 and win the world title, this means the world to me, 980 00:43:02,916 --> 00:43:05,051 but I am... I am not satisfied. 981 00:43:05,118 --> 00:43:06,453 Paralympic gold is next. 982 00:43:06,519 --> 00:43:07,253 We’ll be back here next year, 983 00:43:07,287 --> 00:43:10,290 and I plan to do the exact same. 984 00:43:10,357 --> 00:43:11,424 Oh. 985 00:43:11,491 --> 00:43:13,259 (indistinct) 986 00:43:13,326 --> 00:43:15,195 (Roderick) You did it, man. 987 00:43:15,228 --> 00:43:17,163 (indistinct chatter) 988 00:43:17,197 --> 00:43:18,832 ♪ 989 00:43:18,898 --> 00:43:21,134 - I missed you. - You guys did it. 990 00:43:24,270 --> 00:43:26,840 (dramatic music) 991 00:43:26,906 --> 00:43:28,108 ♪ 992 00:43:28,141 --> 00:43:30,777 (Jamal) It feels like another day at work. 993 00:43:30,844 --> 00:43:33,213 (Wilma) To do the quad, it gets boring. 994 00:43:33,246 --> 00:43:34,347 It’s a grind. 995 00:43:34,414 --> 00:43:36,016 If you have to live it day and day, 996 00:43:36,082 --> 00:43:37,884 those four years seems like a lot. 997 00:43:37,951 --> 00:43:41,421 (Josie) It’s just physically taxing and exhausting. 998 00:43:41,454 --> 00:43:43,323 (man) Ezra Frech, dethroned. 999 00:43:43,390 --> 00:43:45,334 (Ezra) I don’t know if I’ve ever had anger like this 1000 00:43:45,358 --> 00:43:46,526 in my entire life. 1001 00:43:46,559 --> 00:43:48,928 (Jamal) Do I even really need to do the whole Paris thing? 1002 00:43:48,962 --> 00:43:49,763 Honestly. 1003 00:43:49,829 --> 00:43:52,298 ♪ 1004 00:43:52,365 --> 00:43:54,868 (electronic music) 1005 00:43:54,934 --> 00:44:02,934 ♪ 1006 00:44:09,849 --> 00:44:17,849 ♪ 1007 00:44:24,831 --> 00:44:29,803 ♪ 1008 00:44:29,869 --> 00:44:37,869 ♪ 1009 00:44:44,851 --> 00:44:49,823 ♪ 1010 00:44:49,889 --> 00:44:57,889 ♪ 1011 00:45:04,871 --> 00:45:09,843 ♪ 1012 00:45:09,909 --> 00:45:17,909 ♪ 1013 00:45:24,891 --> 00:45:29,863 ♪ 1014 00:45:29,929 --> 00:45:37,929 ♪ 1015 00:45:44,911 --> 00:45:49,883 ♪ 1016 00:45:49,949 --> 00:45:57,924 ♪ 1016 00:45:58,305 --> 00:46:58,842 Watch Online Movies and Series for FREE www.osdb.link/lm