2
GOLD
0
SILVER
0
BRONZE
Athlete Bio#
Age
20
Hometown
Oak Park, MI
Education
Purdue University Northwest
Personal
- Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, at 26 weeks
- Moved back to Michigan at less than a year old to be closer to family, including grandmother
- Was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age 6, which affects the muscles in his legs
- Started track and field after family friends invited him and his brother to join the AAU's Motor City Track Club in Detroit, Michigan
- Competed collegiately at Purdue University Northwest
- First heard about Para track and field through his mother Rochelle, who was on the lookout for opportunities for her son
- After several knee surgeries from injuries sustained playing soccer and running in 2021, Blackwell worked his way back to top form and made his international Para track and field debut at the 2023 Para Athletics World Championships, where he won two gold medals and set a world record
- Holds the world record in the men's T38 400m with a time of 48.49
- Enjoys football, anime and video games
World Championships Experience
- Most recent: 2024 – gold (100m T38 - Men, 400m T38 - Men)
- Years of participation: 100m T38 - Men 2023, 2024; 400m T38 - Men 2023, 2024
- Medals: 4 (4 gold)
- Gold – 2024 (100m T38 - Men, 400m T38 - Men); 2023 (100m T38 - Men, 400m T38 - Men)
Career Highlights
- 2023 100-meter and 400-meter U.S. Para Track and Field National Champion
- 2023 USATF U20 Men’s Athlete of the Year
Paralympic Experience
- 1-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (2 gold)
- Paralympic Games Paris 2024, gold (100m T38 - Men, 400m T38 - Men)
