Ezra Frech’s Path to Paralympic Glory Defies Limits

Athlete Ezra Frech’s origin story began at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo when, as he remembers, not winning a medal ignited an already burning internal flame.

“Missing the podium in Tokyo is definitely one of the more difficult moments of my life,” Frech tells Los Angeles . “I thought to myself, I'm going to use this moment as fuel to drive me to become the greatest Paralympian of all time.”

Frech, a West Los Angeles native and Paralympian ambassador, was born with congenital limb differences, missing his left knee, left fibula, and several fingers on his left hand. He underwent an amputation of his left leg and had one of the toes from his amputated foot transplanted to his left hand. At 11 months old, he received his first prosthetic leg.

Despite the obstacles he faced at an early age, Frech’s confidence always remained high, and he credits his parents for this. They have been instrumental in his life and have shaped his young career.

“My parents have played a huge role in my life,” Frech says. “They are absolutely the reason that I am confident and secure in my disability, and they serve as my biggest motivators and inspirations.”

It wasn't until Frech was on his middle school track team that he learned how to better the technique of his high jump, guidance he credits to his track coach. Before that, he was jumping off of pure raw athleticism and an unbreakable willpower.

At 11 years old, after watching the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics, Frech committed himself to track, quitting every other sport to pursue the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games. With the technique added to his repertoire, mixed with his passion to succeed at the highest level, he was on a path powered by determination.

Frech would achieve his goal, making the Tokyo 2020 debut at the Paralympic Games at 16, where he competed in the high and long jumps. He finished eighth in the long jump and fifth in the high jump.

Now 19, Frech continues his dreams, representing team USA in the Paris Paralympic Games 2024 in the high jump, long jump and 100 meters. This time, he aims for a better finish than Tokyo, as the next chapter in his story remains unwritten.

With the 2028 Summer Olympics hosted by L.A., Frech, who hails from the city, aims to achieve what he calls the 'triple crown' — winning gold in the high jump, long jump, and 100 meters. This feat has never been accomplished in the history of the Paralympic Games, the Olympic Games, or even track and field history.

“When I get the opportunity to compete in my hometown at the L.A. 28 Paralympic Games, that is going to be the peak of my career, and that is going to be the pinnacle of my life,” Frech says. “I don't think there will ever be a moment in my life where I will feel that level of joy, gratitude and appreciation for life as a whole.”

When he’s not competing, Frech has been a vocal advocate for persons with disabilities. Frech and his father, Clayton, co-founded a non-profit organization called Angel City Sports and the Angel City Games, a sporting event for children, adults, wounded warriors and other high-performing athletes with disabilities.

“We realized that there was not a lot of adaptive sports opportunities in Southern California,” Frech says of their inspiration the non-profit. “There are all these challenges and obstacles for this community to participate in sports. Society almost tells you if you have a physical disability, sports is not for you. Most people don't realize that if they either acquire or have a physical disability, they can be active and live a healthy, active lifestyle.”

Over the past decade, Frech and his father have expanded to offer year-round sports equipment, training and competitions, establishing themselves as a prominent adaptive sports organization in the country. They provide over 20,000 sports experiences for youth and adults with physical disabilities.

Angel City Sports hosts a year-round series of adaptive sports clinics called the Angel City Games, offering athletes opportunities to participate, learn, and train across various sports. The Angel City Games has grown from two to four days, featuring expanded sports clinics and competitions such as Archery, Swimming, Wheelchair Tennis, Track and field and Wheelchair Basketball.

As he prepares for the next chapter in Paris 2024 and beyond, Ezra Frech's journey remains an inspiring example of overcoming challenges and chasing dreams.