Joshua Turek | |
---|---|
Member of the IowaHouseofRepresentatives from the 20th district | |
Assumed office January 9, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Charlie McConkey |
Personal details | |
Born | April 12,1979 Council Bluffs,Iowa,U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jarolin |
Education | Southwest Minnesota State University (BA History,MBA) |
Sports career | |
Nickname | Josh |
Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Sport | Wheelchair basketball |
Disability | Spina bifida |
Disability class | 3.5 |
Coached by | Ron Lykins |
Medal record | |
Joshua Turek (born April 12, 1979) is an American politician serving as a member of the Iowa House of Representatives from the 20th district. He was formerly a wheelchair basketball player and a member of the United States men's national wheelchair basketball team.
Turek announced he was running for Iowa's 20th House of Representatives district in March 2022. [1] After a recount requested by his Republican opponent Sarah Abdouch, it was confirmed Turek won the election by six votes. [2] [3] He assumed office on January 9, 2023. He has worked extensively as an advocate for disabled people. He enters the Iowa state legislature as the first permanently disabled member in its history. [4]
Turek has represented the United States in Wheelchair basketball at the Summer Paralympics four times, finishing in seventh place in 2004, winning a bronze medal in 2012 and gold medals in 2016 and 2020. [5]
Turek was born with spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user since childhood. [6] His brother, John, and sister, Elisha, are both retired professional basketball players. [7]
The Paralympic sports comprise all the sports contested in the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games. As of 2020, the Summer Paralympics included 22 sports and 539 medal events, and the Winter Paralympics include 5 sports and disciplines and about 80 events. The number and kinds of events may change from one Paralympic Games to another.
Bradley John Ness, OAM is an Australian wheelchair basketballer. He won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing and silver medals at 2004 Athens and 2012 London Paralympics. He was selected as the Australian flag bearer at the Opening Ceremony at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. In December 2023, Ness was appointed the Head Coach of the Rollers - Australia men's national wheelchair basketball team.
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