Delagrave, Team USA take SILVER
He grew up in Prairie du Chien, and now he’s a Paralympic silver medalist.
Joe Delagrave co-captained his U.S. Wheelchair Rugby team to second place on the greatest international stage. The team lost in the gold-medal game to Britain, 54-49, on Sunday. Japan took home bronze.
The Britain-United States game was tied repeatedly early in the final quarter until Britain pulled away for the the victory over the Americans. The U.S. men beat Australia 49-42 in Saturday’s semifinal but were foiled in the team attempt to win its third gold after winning in 2000 and 2008, according to the Associated Press. Team USA lost in double overtime to Australia in the gold-medal game in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, the year Delagrave was named a team alternate for the Games.
This was Delagrave’s second Paralympics appearance, after having won bronze with his teammates in London in 2012.
Wheelchair rugby has been an official Paralympic sport since 2000.
Delagrave, now a two-time Paralympic medalist, currently resides in Holmen with his wife, April, and their three young children. He was a three-sport athlete while at Prairie du Chien High School, before he was paralyzed in an accident in July 2004.
For more on his inspiring story, visit JoeDelagrave.com.