Tom Davis (handcyclist)

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Thomas (Tom) Howard Davis
BornApril 22, 1977
Montpelier, Indiana
OccupationHand Cyclist
Years active2012 to Current
OrganizationTeamUSA Paralympian
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
SpouseJamie (Brown) Davis
ChildrenBrenan, Elliana, Isaiah, Lyllian
Websitehttps://www.tomdavisparacycling.com
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchArmy
RankSergeant

Thomas (Tom) Davis is a TeamUSA [1] Paralympian Handcyclist in the MH4 category. He has won the Boston Marathon 2015 through 2019.[2] He was scheduled to compete in the Boston Marathon in 2020 but it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.[3] He competed in the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Davis is currently training to compete for TeamUSA at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Personal life[edit]

Davis met his wife Jamie (née Brown) in November 2003. The couple became engaged in February 2004 and were married in July that same year. Their wedding was originally scheduled for May 2004 but it was delayed due to Davis being extended in Iraq with the U.S. Army.

The couple are parents to four children, Brenan, Elliana (Elli), Isaiah, and Lyllian (Lylli). The Davis family makes their home in Fremont, Indiana.

Military career[edit]

In June 2006, while stationed in Ramadi, Iraq, the Humvee that Davis was riding in hit an improvised explosive device (IED). The Humvee was rocketed into in the air and landed on its top. Davis was trapped in the Humvee and pulled out by Jason Dickerson, an Army medic.[4] Davis suffered massive blood loss, a concussion, traumatic brain injury, two broken forearms, right broken knee, broken nose, broken facial bones and a broken toe on his right foot. After numerous surgeries to repair his body to include a spinal fusion, the decision was made to amputate his left leg above the knee.

Racing career[edit]

A part of Davis' rehabilitation from his military injuries was handcycling. He began handcyling in 2012. Davis raced in the Boston Marathon in 2015 and 2016 and won the event. In 2017, Handcycling was officially recognized at the Boston Marathon. Davis continued to win in 2017, 2018 [5] and 2019.

In July 2016, Davis was named to the TeamUSA Paralympic Team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics. [6]

During the 2017 Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank Marathon, Davis hit a manhole cover and had to leave the race due to a flat tire.[7]

In April 2021, Davis raced the 15 km time trial course in Huntsville, Alabama. While there, Davis completed the course in a time of 20:43, beating all competitors.[8]

Major results[edit]

Year Boston Marathon[9] Detroit Free Press Marathon Pittsburgh Marathon Crim Festival of the Races USA Cycling Masters National Championships Paralympics
2013 1:17:59 1:18:46 1:10:00
2014 1:09:48 CR
2015 1:17:49 1:12:37
2016 1:08:39 (Tied) Road Course 1:28:59 (6th) [10]
2017 0:58:36 CR DNF - Flat Tire
2018 1:18:41 1:18:41 [11] Third 23:29:40
2019 1:01:22 1:05:12 CR[12] 28:13
2020
2021 Paralympic Time Trial 23:01
WR – World Record
CR – Course record

References[edit]

  1. ^ TeamUSA Biography
  2. ^ Boston Marathon Race Results
  3. ^ 2020 Boston Marathon Cancelled
  4. ^ A Chance in Hell: The Men Who Triumphed Over Iraq's Deadliest City and Turned the Tide of War Chapter 1 by: Jim Michaels
  5. ^ 2018 Boston Marathon Paracycling Winner
  6. ^ "Davis to handcycle in Rio". 4 July 2016.
  7. ^ 2017 Detroit Marathon Results
  8. ^ Humble Pie Served in Huntsville
  9. ^ "Past Champions". 216.235.243.43. 25 March 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-04-21.
  10. ^ Rio 2016 Results
  11. ^ 2018 Detroit Marathon Handcycle Winner
  12. ^ 2019 Detroit Marathon Winners