Athletes To Watch In Italy: Brenna Huckaby
As the Paralympic Winter Games arrive in Italy this very evening, few athletes embody the spirit of adaptive sport quite like Brenna Huckaby. A three-time Paralympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated athletes in para snowboarding, Huckaby has become a defining figure in the sport, known not only for her results on the snow, but also for her advocacy for inclusion and visibility in disability sport.
Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Huckaby was a nationally ranked gymnast before her life changed at age 14. After being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone cancer, she underwent an above-knee amputation of her right leg in 2010. During rehabilitation she discovered snowboarding on a ski trip in Utah - drawn to it because it reminded her of the balance beam. What began as part of recovery quickly became a new athletic calling.
The progression was rapid. Huckaby joined the U.S. Para Snowboard Team in 2015 and by the 2018 Winter Paralympics in PyeongChang she had already established herself as a dominant athlete, winning two gold medals in snowboard cross and banked slalom. At the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, she added gold in banked slalom and bronze in snowboard cross, bringing her Paralympic total to four medals (three gold and one bronze).
Her career has also been defined by persistence off the slopes. In the lead-up to the 2022 Games, changes to the Paralympic program eliminated the women’s classification in which Huckaby competed (SB-LL1, for athletes with above-knee amputations). Rather than accept exclusion, she fought for the right to race in the less-impaired SB-LL2 class, ultimately winning a legal case that allowed her to compete - and then proving her point by winning two medals.
Beyond competition, Huckaby has been a visible advocate for disability representation. She made history as the first Paralympian to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and has used her platform to challenge perceptions about disability and elite sport. She also co-founded Culxtured, a media collective aimed at elevating the stories and voices of para athletes.
Now preparing for another Paralympic appearance, Huckaby remains one of the most compelling athletes to watch in Italy. She is combining technical skill, fierce competitiveness, and a commitment to expanding what adaptive sport can look like.
For those who care about amazing athletes and thrilling competitions on the one hand and prosthetics, rehabilitation, and adaptive sport on the other hand, her races are always worth tuning in for.
Follow Brenna Huckaby on Instagram.
Post by Bjoern Eser. Bjoern is the founder of and shaker and maker behind The Active Amputee.
Further Reading
Accept, adapt, achieve
Life after amputation may feel like venturing into unknown territory. From learning how to move your new body to researching the costs of activity-specialized prosthetic arms & legs, it is daunting and frustrating to resume an active lifestyle after limb loss. In August 2021, I lost my left leg in an emergency above-knee amputation. I could not fathom what my life would look like post-op. In the hospital, I promised myself to take advantage of every opportunity I came across and to attempt activities outside my comfort zone. I needed to resume living, and for me, that meant returning to activities as soon as possible. "Accept, adapt, achieve" became my new motto. read more
Dealing with volume fluctuations
Here is a problem many active above knee amputees know all too well. A problem that is often overlooked as more and more attention is given to the newest developments around high-tech knees and other exciting advancements in the prosthetic sector. It’s the problem of a proper fit of the socket. It’s the key to using your prosthetic leg to its full potential. And how to deal with fluctuations in the volume of your residual limb - and thus with the fit of your socket. Read more
Cycling to regain my life
Today’s article is all about cycling and how it helped Stephen from South Africa’s wonderful Western Cape to come back after a tragic motorcycle accident. The idea for the interview arose during a chat with Jen from ClickMedical, who mentioned Stephen and his inspiring outdoor adventures and brokered the contact. „Thanks Jen I really appreciate these contacts!“ Here is my interview with Stephen. Enjoy! read more