Kory Puderbaugh

Quick Facts

• Son of John and Trudi Cochrane
• Competed in multiple sports in high school, including wrestling and track and field 
• Nicknamed “Spiggy," his motto is "Spiggy Up" and his mission is to "Be More, Do More and Give More"
• Spent the early part of his childhood in a Polish orphanage
• Enjoys Aviation, chess and stock trading
• Did work with probation officers and probationers in Pima County, Arizona as part of AmeriCorps

Biographical Information

Puderbaugh was born with limb differences and spent the early part of his childhood in an orphanage in Poland. He emigrated to the U.S. at age five in 2001.

Puderbaugh spent his childhood in multiple foster homes and adoptive families until he settled in Idaho, adopted by one of his middle school teachers, Joe Cochrane. Puderbaugh became known for an optimistic and engaging personality and competed in high school on the wrestling and track and field teams in addition to winning some statewide tournaments in chess.

Puderbaugh became a standout wheelchair rugby player on his local team, the Boise Bombers. At age 20, Puderbaugh made the U.S. wheelchair rugby team training roster and later that year made his Paralympic debut at the Paralympic Games Rio 2016. Puderbaugh was part of the U.S. wheelchair rugby team over the next few years, competing at two Paralympics and one world championship, winning silver at each. 

Off the court, Puderbaugh got his sport pilot license when he became the first quadruple amputee to attend Able Flight’s program at Purdue University. Able Flight is a national nonprofit organization created by pilots to share the experience of learning to fly and enable people with disabilities to pursue that experience.

In 2022, Puderbaugh began working with probation officers and probationers in Pima County, Arizona as part of AmeriCorps, the national organization aimed at improving communities through service and volunteer work. 

Paralympic Experience

• 2-time Paralympian; 2-time Paralympic medalist (2 silver)
• Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020, silver (Team - Mixed)
• Paralympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016, silver (Team - Mixed)

World Championships Experience

• Most recent: 2026 – gold (Team - Mixed)
• Years of participation: Team - Mixed 2022, 2026
• Medals: 2 (1 gold, 1 silver)
• Gold – 2026 (Team - Mixed)
• Silver – 2022 (Team - Mixed)