Kansas City wheelchair rugby star to represent Team USA in 2024 Paralympic Games

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (KCTV) - It’s been a long time coming for Kansas City’s Brad Hudspeth.

“I tried out four times before I got told, ‘yes,’ that I made the team,” the 35-year-old said. “So those were four years where I got told, ‘No, you’re not good enough.’”

The wait is finally over.

Of the roughly 40 athletes asked to try out for Team USA’s Wheelchair Rugby team this year, just 16 were selected.

Twelve are going to Paris – including Hudspeth.

“To finally now be on the team and make it to the top, the 12 that are going to Paris, to represent your country and win a gold medal is an honor that I’ll never take for granted,” he said.

The team flies to Aug. 20 ahead of their first game on Aug. 29.

“This is my first Paralympics, so I don’t really know what to expect yet,” he said. “But I’m sure when the plane lands and I get to see the Village, get all the gear and prepare for our first game, the nerves are going to start really kicking up.”

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Hudspeth spent one of his last weekends at home at the Midwest Adaptive Summit at the Overland Park Convention Center, lending advice to the Paralympians of tomorrow.

“It’s fun to have little kids that are just getting into the sport or are newly injured come out and check out wheelchair rugby, just pull them aside and talk to them and tell them my journey,” Hudspeth said. “My journey wasn’t easy. I got told ‘no’ a bunch of times. Try to talk to them about training, and if you really want to do it, never give up. Maybe one day you’ll be going to the Paralympics too.”

Great Britain won gold in Tokyo, with the United States taking silver.

This year, the goal is clear:

“Gold medal or nothing, right?” he said. “I mean, that’s the ultimate goal. Fly over there with nothing, fly back with a gold medal.”

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