Erik Hightower

 

Physical Challenge: Spina bifida
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Sports: Track and Field

Erik Hightower was born on April 6, 1986 and started his racing career at the young age of eight years old. His parents heard about wheelchair sports through the Spina Bifida Association and they took him out one day to try wheelchair racing. At first, he absolutely hated it. Erik’s parents had to bribe him with money and even pets just to get him to race.

25+ years later and Erik is currently ranked in the top 10 in the world in the 100m T54 class. He is currently living and training full time at the Olympic Training Center in California in hopes of achieving his goal of competing for Team USA at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Some of Erik’s more recent accomplishments include a silver medal in the 100M, a sliver medal in the 400M, and a gold medal in the 4x100M relay all at the 2019 ParaPan American Games. Additionally, Erik won a gold medal in the 4x100M relay at the 2019 World Championships.

 

In The Media:

 

Erik Hightower | Team USA Profile

Paralympic.org | Erik Hightower

Challenged Athletes Live: Episode 67 | Kym and Erik Hightower

Erik Hightower | Men’s 100m T54 Final | 2016 Paralympic Games