Iraq veteran brings home medals, breaks records at games in Brazil

Scott Winkler didn't waste any time putting his name in the record books - again.

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The 34-year-old Grove-town resident broke the men's F54 division world record in the shot put at the 2007 Parapan American Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He did it with a toss of 10.23 meters.

"It was the first throw. One shot, one kill," he said at a welcome-home party on Aug. 18. "To be honest, it was all adrenaline."

Winkler is a military veteran who uses a wheelchair after an accident in Tikrit, Iraq, in 2003 left him paralyzed from the chest down. He didn't let his handicap keep him indoors. Although he picked up shot-putting only a year ago, his efforts have already paid off.

The world-record toss in Brazil marked the third time Winkler had broken the record in competition. He said the most recent accomplishment also was the most emotional.

"It was a great honor just to be there," he said. "The best part was getting up on the podium and watching the American flag go up and hearing the national anthem. There were tears in my eyes."

Winkler also earned a bronze medal in the men's F54 discus event and was awarded a commemorative coin by Clifford Sobel, the U.S. ambassador to Brazil.

Only three athletes, all U.S. veterans, were presented with the coin.

Winkler said that he was grateful for the experience and opportunity to represent his country on an international stage and bring home two medals but that there's no place like home.