As the Paralympics kick off in Paris this week, one of our own is about to make waves once again. Raleigh native and former YOTA Swim Team standout Hannah Aspden is back in action for her third Paralympic appearance, this time as team captain.
Hannah will dive into her first Paralympic race on Monday, Sept. 2 for the mixed 4x100-meter medley, according to the Queens University Athletics website. On Sept. 3, she will swim in the 100-meter backstroke event (S9) and head back the next day on Sept. 4 for the 100-meter freestyle event (S9).
She made her debut back in 2016 at the Rio Paralympics, where she earned bronze medals in both the 100-meter backstroke and the women’s 4x100-meter medley relay, becoming the youngest Team USA swimmer to earn a medal at either the Olympic Games or Paralympic Games in Rio. But she truly shone in Tokyo, snagging two gold medals in the same events.
Born without her left leg, Hannah competes in the S9 classification, which includes athletes with limb loss or severe weakness in one leg. Despite these challenges, she continues to dominate the competition and inspire with her relentless drive.
A drive that was cultivated from the time she began swimming competitively with the YOTA Swim Team at the age of 8. Hannah made 13 international appearances while with YOTA through 2016, including her Paralympic debut in Rio.
