Tharon Drake

Tharon Drake is an American swimmer. He is the current U.S. record-holder in S11 class in 50m freestyle, 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m and 100m breaststroke, 200m individual medley (short course); 50m and 100m breaststroke (short course); 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke (long course).[1] Drake won silver in the 100m breast at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championship. Drake lost his eyesight following complications from a routine vaccination.[2]

Tharon Drake
Personal information
Nationality United States
Born (1992-12-19) December 19, 1992
Canyon, Texas, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[1]
Weight175 lb (79 kg)[1]
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBreaststroke, freestyle, individual medley
Medal record
Men's swimming
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
2016 Rio400m Freestyle S11
2016 Rio100m Breaststroke SB11
IPC World Championships
2015 Glasgow100 m Breaststroke SB11
2015 Glasgow400 m Freestyle S11

At the 2016 Paralympic Games, Drake won a silver medal in the 400m Freestyle S11.[3][4] Drake's time in the finals was 4:40.96, behind USA teammate Brad Snyder.[5] Drake also won a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke SB11[6] with a time of 1:11.50.[7]

Drake competed in the 2017 World Para Swimming Championships held in Mexico City, Mexico. Drake won a gold medal in the 400m Freestyle S11 with a finish time of 4:54.30, a gold medal in the 100m Breaststroke SB11 with a finish time of 1:15.70, and a silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley SM11 with a finish time of 2:41.70.

Drake is now assistant coach of the Catawba College Men's and Women's Swim Team.

Swimming career

Tharon began swimming at the age of 9. He swam on the Hobbs High School and Caprock Swim Team, both in Hobbs, New Mexico. In November 2007, Drake suffered from amnesia that was onset from routine vaccines. It was determined that an existing genetic condition compromised his immune system and his body couldn't fight off the viruses from the vaccines.[8] Through help of medication, he was able to overcome the amnesia. In February 2008, Drake noticed some changes in his vision, and by June 2008, he was totally blind, without any perception of light.[9]

After graduating high school in 2011, Tharon continued his path in swimming and qualified as an alternate for the 2012 London Paralympics.[10]

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See also

References
  1. http://www.teamusa.org/para-swimming/athletes/Tharon-Drake
  2. "No Longer Available". WPTZ. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  3. USA, Team. "Brad Snyder and Tharon Drake Go 1-2 In Men's 400m Freestyle S11 Final | Rio 2016 Paralympic Games". Glens Falls Post-Star. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  4. USA, Team. "Brad Snyder and Tharon Drake | Victory Ceremony | Men's 400m Freestyle S11 | 2016 Paralympic Games". Daily Journal Online. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  5. "Digest: Swimmers Brad Snyder, Becca Meyers win Rio gold". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  6. http://www.teamusa.org/Video/2016/09/13/Tharon-Drake--Mens-100m-Breaststroke-SB11-Silver-Medal-Ceremony--2016-Paralympic-Games?channel=dmNW1iNTE6969v0EiPW3o93aweg1XErA
  7. "Para Swimming (formerly IPC Swimming) News & Events". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  8. Staff, ABQJournal News. "Blindness Can't Slow Hobbs' Swimmer". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  9. Ben Smart, Special to. "Blind swimmer in the fast lane for greatness". CNN. Retrieved Aug 30, 2019.
  10. http://www.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/June/17/US-Paralympic-Swimming-Team-named.aspx


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