Luther College graduate qualifies for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

U.S. Paralympics Track & Field has announced that Luther College graduate Josh Cinnamo '03 will be one of 61 athletes representing the United States at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Cinnamo, who was born with a congenital limb deficiency of his right arm, competed in football and track & field while at Luther, and is about to make his Paralympics debut. He is the current world record holder in the F46 Shot Put category (athlete has an arm amputation that is either above or below the elbow) with a distance of 16.80 meters. He captured gold medals at both the 2019 Parapan American Games and 2019 World Para Athletics.

"It's been a long time in the making," said Cinnamo. "I started this journey toward the Paralympic Games in 2014 (they did not offer the shot put in 2016). To finally have it pay off seven years later with an opportunity to be on the podium representing the United States is extraordinarily satisfying. I've also had a short term sense of relief. It's happened. I've been named to the team. With that, however, comes additional expectation and work. I look forward to the challenge."

The Tokyo Paralympic Games run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5. Track and field competition kicks off on Aug. 27 and concludes Sept. 5. Cinnamo will throw on Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 8 p.m. CDT. In a historic move, NBC announced that it will be broadcasting more than 1,200 hours of Paralympic Games coverage including primetime, a first for the games.