VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A year ago, Grassfield High gymnast Cody Bennett suffered a life-changing fall at an open gym.
“When I first got hurt, I had no tricep function, no wrist function, no legs — no nothing,” he said.
The injury ended his gymnastics career, but it didn’t end his desire to be a competitive athlete.
When he met Emily Throckmorton, owner of Kaizen Athletics in Virginia Beach, his hopes of competing once again became a reality.
“I compete in adaptive CrossFit, which I didn’t know was a thing until I met Emily,” Bennett said.
Kaizen Athletics has specialized equipment to help athletes like Cody regain muscle and function.
“If he wants to lift a barbell or dumbbells, he’s able to use grips. They secure him safely so he’s able to lift again,” Throckmorton explained.
Throckmorton started the nonprofit gym six years ago and currently trains 50 athletes, many of whom are military veterans.
Kaizen Athletics also serves as a liaison for adaptive sports athletes, showing them what is possible.
“Do you want to do sled hockey but you’re in a seated position? We have that locally. Do you want to learn how to swim again, even if you’re paralyzed from the waist down? We have a facility close by that does that,” she said.
Bennett’s competitive spirit is now taking him to the Adaptive CrossFit Games in Las Vegas this month. Throckmorton will be right by his side as a coach and cheerleader.
“He’s got the mindset that I wish the majority of the world had,” she said.
It’s that “can-do” mindset that will undoubtedly help the Chesapeake teen accomplish another big goal.
“In therapy, my goal is — I graduate next year, so we’re working on getting me to walk across the stage at graduation,” Bennett said.
And we’re betting this determined young man will do just that.
The folks at Kaizen Adaptive Sports — and the athletes they train — are inspiring and a positive force in Hampton Roads.
