“This is one of the steps before Beijing and it kind of helped me get ready,” said Clemons.  “This is kind of the smaller stage before the big stage and another step towards Beijing.  I look forward to going to Beijing, but today is one of those days that I will have to go back and re-evaluate and move forward.  Hopefully next time I can put things together and come back with the gold.”

The fact that Clemons is at the Parapan American Games in the first place is what many people would call a miracle.  While serving in the U.S. Army in Iraq in 2005, Clemons, a combat medic, and three other service members were helping soldiers in an overturned vehicle when enemy forces detonated an improvised explosive device.  The explosion killed the three service members with Clemons and severely injured Clemons.  His shrapnel injuries resulted in the amputation of his right leg above the knee.

A day like he had in 2005 in Iraq helps Clemons put a day like today in perspective.  Clemons added,

“Powerlifting provides me a way to put my energies towards something as opposed to just being home doing nothing.  I feel like I still have something to offer to society so this is a way I can offer myself back to society.  It’s like a win-win situation; it’s good for me and it’s good for other people to see a person bounce back from an injury.  It’s also good for myself just to sometimes look back at where I’ve come from and look to where I can go.  It’s just motivation all the way around.  Anytime you are able to represent the U.S. it’s a really big accomplishment.  I’m really grateful that I had a chance to do this.  For those guys in Iraq, I know they’re rooting for me and I’m rooting for them.  I feel blessed and I’m lucky to be a part of something like this.”

The results for the 2007 U.S. Parapan American Games Powerlifting Team is as follows:

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Men’s Heavyweight Open Category

Gold; Jose Castillo (Mexico)
Silver: Javier J. Marion (Ecuador)
Bronze; Jose Ricardo Silva (Brazil)
No qualified lift; Kortney Clemons (University Park, Pa.)

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Women’s Heavyweight Open Category

Gold; Peria Barcenas (Mexico)
Silver: Catalina Diaz (Mexico)
Bronze; Josilene Ferreira (Brazil)
Fourth Place; Mary Stack (Ann Arbor, Mich.)

Monday, August 13, 2007

Men’s Lightweight Open Category

Gold:  Alexander Whitaker (Brazil)
Silver:  Luis Perea (Cuba)
Bronze:  Jainer Cantillo (Colombia)
Seventh Place; Rohan Murphy (University Park, Pa.)
No qualified lift; Andy Wise (Needham, Mass.)

2007 United States Parapan American Games Team - Powertlifting

Women

Mary Stack (Ann Arbor, Mich.), 82.5+kg Weight Class

Men

Rohan Murphy (University Park, Calif.), 56kg Weight Class
Andy Wise (Needham, Mass.), 67.5kg Weight Class
Kortney Clemons (Little Rock, Miss.), 75kg Weight Class

Head Coach:  Mary C. Hodge (Farmingdale, N.Y.)
Assistant Coach/Team Leader:  Kim Brownfield (Council Hill, Okla.)

For more information on the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, please visit:  www.rio2007.org.br.