Timothy Hawker, also known as "TJ," was about 12 years old when he learned about the United Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association (presently named National Disability Sports Alliance). He started going to the Kansas City Power and Speed Team in 1992, where he first saw boccia being played. When Hawker's father was transferred a year later to the Chicago area, Hawker joined the Windy City Warriors and began competing in Boccia. He now finds great success on the Boccia court, as Beijing marked his third Paralympic Games.

Hawker's disabilities are a result of being born before his lungs were fully developed, which caused insufficient oxygen to the brain. Hawker has been diagnosed with athetoid cerebral palsy, which mostly affects his motor skills and causes extra movement. He is deaf and cannot speak but can communicate through sign language. Doctors predicted he would probably never even be able to play with his toys, but Hawker's intelligence and desire to get into the game of life have motivated him to defy the odds.

Hawker graduated from Springfield High School in Holland, Ohio in 2001. He currently does data entry work for Lott Industries in Toledo, Ohio.

Major Achievements

2011: First place, BC1 category – BlazeSports America National Boccia Championships, Chicago, Ill.
2010: U.S. Team member – Boccia World Championships, Lisbon, Portugal
2008: U.S. Team member – 2008 Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
2007: U.S. Team member - Boccia World Cup, Vancouver, Canada
2006: Fifth place - Boccia World Championship, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
2005: Fifth place - American Boccia Championship, Mar del Plata, Argentina
2004: U.S. Team member - Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
2003: U.S. Team member - Boccia World Championship, New Zealand
2002: U.S. Team member - Boccia World Championships, Portugal
2000: U.S. Team member - Paralympic Games, Sydney, Australia

Athlete Bio

Hometown

Education

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