Story by
Akron swimmer Grace Nuhfer continues to inspire with world record after Paralympic silver
- Story by
- Akron swimmer Grace Nuhfer continues to inspire with world record after Paralympic silver
As University of Akron swimmer Grace Nuhfer pursued a world record last week in Sacramento, California, she thought about the people she inspires.
"I was fighting through the end of that race, and in my head, I was like, 'This isn't for me,'" Nuhfer told the Beacon Journal on Thursday at UA's Ocasek Natatorium.
Advertisement
Fueled by a cause greater than individual accolades, Nuhfer set a world record in the S13 200-meter butterfly April 4 with a time of 2:22.78 during the TYR Pro Swim Series.
The milestone occurred a little more than seven months after Nuhfer represented the United States and won a silver medal in the S13 100 butterfly (1:03.88) at the Paralympic Games Aug. 29 in France.
"When people say representation matters, representation matters so, so much," Nuhfer said.
Nuhfer, 22, is visually impaired as a result of being born with a type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome known as brittle cornea syndrome. The genetic connective tissue disorder causes the cornea to be thin, fragile and prone to rupture.
Advertisement
Hypermobile or loose joints is another common feature of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Nuhfer explained she has suffered more than 20 ankle sprains throughout her four seasons with the Zips.
Akron Zips news: UA men's basketball coach John Groce agrees to another contract extension
University of Akron swimmer Grace Nuhfer of the United States competes in the women's 200-meter IM SM13 heats during the 2024 U.S. Paralympic Swimming Trials on June 29, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Paralympian Grace Nuhfer hopes to make a difference in people's lives by opening up about her swimming journey
When Nuhfer was a high school student in her hometown of Greenwood, Indiana, she volunteered with a program for visually impaired preschool students and comforted their parents by sharing her story. As Nuhfer's swimming career has progressed, the Akron senior's platform has grown, and she wants to use it to help others.
Advertisement
The notion motivated Nuhfer last week in California en route to a world record.
"I am swimming this for everyone who feels like they can't or every other Para athlete who feels like they're not taken seriously or they're not treated like elite athletes," said Nuhfer, who will graduate from Akron in May with a business data analytics degree with a focus in marketing. "This is for us. It wasn't for me. It's never been for me.
"This is for all of the little girls and boys and parents who are scared. Because it is OK. Like, life is going to be OK. It's not something that's going to end you or stop you from doing what you want to do. And I think that is what's most important, and that's what I've kept close to my heart."
More on Grace Nuhfer: University of Akron swimmer wins a Paralympic silver medal with Team USA
Advertisement
Akron women's swimming and diving coach Brian Peresie said he admires Nuhfer for overcoming injuries and other challenges during her journey with the Zips.
"To see her be able to realize her dream of competing at the Paralympics and then break a world record just last week has been really incredible and awesome," Peresie said. "... With what she's achieved and what she's accomplished, she has the ability to impact others in a positive way, and that's something that she wants to do. She wants to be able to empower others."
Silver medallist Grace Nuhfer of United States celebrates on the podium after the women's 100-meter butterfly - S13 final during the Paris 2024 Paralympics on Aug. 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France.
Akron's Grace Nuhfer has developed a friendly swimming rivalry with Italy's Carlotta Gilli
Nuhfer said her world record is set to be ratified after the renewal of her S13 classification, which refers to the degree to which she is visually impaired. The renewal process requires Nuhfer to have her vision tested later this month.
Advertisement
The previous S13 200 butterfly world-record holder is Italy's Carlotta Gilli, who posted a time of 2:24.07 in 2018. Gilli also won the gold medal in the S13 100 butterfly (1:03.27), finishing just ahead of Nuhfer.
"In every elite stage of sports, there's going to be competition, there's going to be rivalry," Nuhfer said. "Last year and now again this year, we just go back and forth on who's first in the world in standings. Right now, it's me, but that could easily change, and I hope it does because it helps us push each other.
"But it's also one of those things, like ... no one else understands what it's like to be a vision-impaired swimmer. So we're in the ready room in Paris, and there's eight of us girls who are about to do the 100 fly, and we all really can't see what's going on. When are you ever going to have that experience again? There's just so much love there at the end of the day and acceptance of one another, and I can say I have blind friends in Japan and Australia. It's a lot of fun, so definitely a rivalry, but it's all in good fun."
University of Akron swimmer Grace Nuhfer of Team United States competes in the women's 100-meter butterfly - S13 heats on Day 1 of the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games on Aug. 29, 2024, in Nanterre, France.
Akron Zips senior Grace Nuhfer says swimming in 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles 'is definitely on the table'
Nuhfer said the past the seven-plus months have been a whirlwind, and she's still processing everything she has experienced.
Advertisement
As for the future, Nuhfer will continue to train as the Singapore World Para Swimming Championships loom in September. Nuhfer hopes she performs well enough in world trials later this month in her birthplace of Indianapolis to garner a selection to compete in Singapore.
Of course, the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles have crossed Nuhfer's mind, too.
"If I am fortunate enough to still be healthy and be in a position to go to games, I will be going to games," she said. "I'm not going to stop training. That is the big goal. But it's one of those things where I don't think I can really sit here and be like, 'Oh, my next goal is LA 2028.' Because it's like, 'Oh, that's three years away,' and I don't want to miss all the steps to get there.
Advertisement
"But, yes, LA is definitely on the table right now. I think it would be so cool to compete with the home crowd. Being in Paris and hearing how loud the French got for their athletes was crazy. So being able to experience that, I think I would like explode."
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Grace Nuhfer sets world record months after Paralympic silver medal
