SPORTS

"Don't misconstrue our disability as a weakness." Adaptive athletes take the pitch at TOCA.

Barbara J. Perenic
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Adaptive Sports Connection has started an amputee soccer team. The American Amputee Soccer Association has taken notice. Two members of the Sierra Leone Amputee Soccer team recently joined. TOCA provides a place for the athletes to train for two-hour blocks twice each month. Teams can play with some athletes that are not amputees but all must play on forearm crutches and no switching of legs is allowed. Keepers may only use one arm to defend the goal. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Adaptive Sports Connection has started an amputee soccer team. The American Amputee Soccer Association has taken notice. Two members of the Sierra Leone Amputee Soccer team recently joined. TOCA provides a place for the athletes to train for two-hour blocks twice each month. Teams can play with some athletes that are not amputees but all must play on forearm crutches and no switching of legs is allowed. Keepers may only use one arm to defend the goal. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn, left, looks back at 9-year-old King Jamari "K.J." Huffin as players warm up during a practice session of Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team at TOCA. Ahn mentors and trains KJ at his home. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn, left, looks back at 9-year-old King Jamari "K.J." Huffin as players warm up during a practice session of Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team at TOCA. Ahn mentors and trains KJ at his home. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman warms up with other players warm up during a practice session of Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team at TOCA. Eckman is a mid bicep amputee and is a goalkeeper. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman warms up with other players warm up during a practice session of Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team at TOCA. Eckman is a mid bicep amputee and is a goalkeeper. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; One of Tommy Ahn's tattoos reads, "adapt." He says his limb loss is one of the best things that ever happened to him due the perspective he has gained. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; One of Tommy Ahn's tattoos reads, "adapt." He says his limb loss is one of the best things that ever happened to him due the perspective he has gained. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Players on Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team work on trapping and passing during practice. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Players on Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team work on trapping and passing during practice. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Sullayman Sesay, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, works with mid-bicep amputee Cara Eckman in the goalkeeper position. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Sullayman Sesay, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, works with mid-bicep amputee Cara Eckman in the goalkeeper position. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn kicks a ball during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn kicks a ball during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, falls during soccer practice at TOCA. Kamara plays for one of five amputee soccer teams in Sierra Leone including the country's national team. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, falls during soccer practice at TOCA. Kamara plays for one of five amputee soccer teams in Sierra Leone including the country's national team. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman, a mid-bicep amputee, works on her core strength in the goalkeeper position. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman, a mid-bicep amputee, works on her core strength in the goalkeeper position. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn works to keep his balance on the pitch during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn works to keep his balance on the pitch during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, watches other athletes at TOCA during soccer practice on Sunday. Kamara plays for one of five amputee soccer teams in Sierra Leone including the country's national team. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara, an amputee soccer player from Sierra Leone, watches other athletes at TOCA during soccer practice on Sunday. Kamara plays for one of five amputee soccer teams in Sierra Leone including the country's national team. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Sullayman Sesay of Sierra Leone coaches amputee soccer athletes at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Sullayman Sesay of Sierra Leone coaches amputee soccer athletes at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn and Amadu Kamara play for a ball during amputee soccer practice at TOCA. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn and Amadu Kamara play for a ball during amputee soccer practice at TOCA. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; K.J. Huffin hustles down the pitch during amputee soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; K.J. Huffin hustles down the pitch during amputee soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara takes shots on goal during amputee soccer practice at TOCA. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Amadu Kamara takes shots on goal during amputee soccer practice at TOCA. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn works up a sweat during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. A former strongman competitor, Ahn is starting to now train for wheelchair boxing and mentors other adaptive athletes through a non-profit called GOAT: Growth, Overcome, Adapt, Train. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Tommy Ahn works up a sweat during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. A former strongman competitor, Ahn is starting to now train for wheelchair boxing and mentors other adaptive athletes through a non-profit called GOAT: Growth, Overcome, Adapt, Train. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; As younger athletes take the pitch, Tommy Ahn changes his shirt after working up a sweat during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. He appreciates the honesty and directness of children who have questions about his limb loss. A former strongman competitor, Ahn now mentors other adaptive athletes including kids through a non-profit called GOAT: Growth, Overcome, Adapt, Train. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; As younger athletes take the pitch, Tommy Ahn changes his shirt after working up a sweat during soccer practice at TOCA on Sunday. He appreciates the honesty and directness of children who have questions about his limb loss. A former strongman competitor, Ahn now mentors other adaptive athletes including kids through a non-profit called GOAT: Growth, Overcome, Adapt, Train. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman puts on her prosthetic arm with the help of her husband Wes after soccer practice at TOCA on Wednesday. The couple lives in Lima but Eckman says she will definitely be back to play soccer with the Adaptive Sports Connection League. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Cara Eckman puts on her prosthetic arm with the help of her husband Wes after soccer practice at TOCA on Wednesday. The couple lives in Lima but Eckman says she will definitely be back to play soccer with the Adaptive Sports Connection League. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Players, volunteers and contributors to Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team line up for a group photo after practice. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
March 19, 2023; Lewis Center, Ohio, USA; Players, volunteers and contributors to Adaptive Sports Connection's amputee soccer team line up for a group photo after practice. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch