Justin

Zook

Quick Facts

Fun Facts: At only 6 years old, Justin Zook discovered that swimming didn't take a toll on his body like other sports did. While growing up with growth-plate disorder in his right leg, Swimming became a sport he not only found joy in, but one in which he excelled. Zook competed for the first time in front of the world at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games, where he came home with a gold and bronze. Fast forward to 2012 when Zook won another gold medal for the 100m backstroke. His love for Swimming and competing is still going strong as the 29-year-old sets his sight on Rio.

Career Highlights

• 2013: World Championships, gold (100m backstroke)
• U.S. Paralympics Spring CanAms, gold (50m fly, 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke)
• WR - 100 backstroke (S9)
• American Record Holder: 50 Free (S9), 100 free (S9), 100 backstroke (S9)
• 2006: World Championships, gold (100m backstroke), bronze (200m free relay, 400m medley relay)
• 2002: World Championships, bronze (100m backstroke, 400 freestyle)
• Paralympic Experience: 2012 Paralympic Games, gold (100m backstroke), 8th (50m freestyle)
• Paralympic Experience: 2008 Paralympic Games, gold (100m backstroke)
• Paralympic Experience: 2004 Paralympic Games, gold (100m backstroke), bronze (50m freestyle)

Paralympic Experience

• 3-time Paralympian; 4-time Paralympic medalist (3 gold, 1 bronze)
• Paralympic Games London 2012, gold (100m Backstroke S10 - Men), 6th (4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men), 8th (50m Freestyle S10 - Men), 21th (100m Freestyle S10 - Men)
• Paralympic Games Beijing 2008, gold (100m Backstroke S10 - Men), 4th (50m Freestyle S10 - Men), 7th (4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men), 8th (100m Freestyle S10 - Men), 10th (100m Butterfly S10 - Men)
• Paralympic Games Athens 2004, gold (100m Backstroke S10 - Men), bronze (50m Freestyle S10 - Men), 4th (100m Freestyle S10 - Men), 5th (4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 34 Points - Men), 7th (4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men), 8th (100m Butterfly S10 - Men, 400m Freestyle S10 - Men), 10th (200m Individual Medley SM10 - Men)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2013 – gold (100m Backstroke S10 - Men), 6th (4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 34 Points - Men, 4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men, 50m Freestyle S10 - Men), 11th (100m Freestyle S10 - Men)
• Years of participation: 100m Backstroke S10 - Men 2002, 2006, 2010, 2013; 100m Freestyle S10 - Men 2002, 2006, 2010, 2013; 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay 34 Points - Men 2006, 2010, 2013; 4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men 2006, 2010, 2013; 50m Freestyle S10 - Men 2002, 2006, 2010, 2013; 4 x 50m Medley Relay 20 Points - Men 2010; 100m Butterfly S10 - Men 2002, 2006; 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 20 Points - Men 2006; 400m Freestyle S10 - Men 2002, 2006
• Medals: 6 (2 gold, 4 bronze)
• Gold – 2013 (100m Backstroke S10 - Men); 2006 (100m Backstroke S10 - Men)
• Bronze – 2006 (4 x 100m Medley Relay 34 Points - Men, 4 x 50m Freestyle Relay 20 Points - Men); 2002 (100m Backstroke S10 - Men, 400m Freestyle S10 - Men)