Four-time U.S. Paralympian Chuck Aoki has dominated wheelchair rugby for two decades.

When Chuck Aoki was seven years old, he experienced spontaneous bleeding from his knee while at a friend’s house. Following a visit to the doctor, he discovered that he had a hematoma in his leg resulting from an undetected broken femur. According to Aoki, it remains unclear how the injury occurred, and while it is unknown how long the femur was broken, it was evident that it had been some time, given the development of the hematoma.

Born in 1991, Aoki was diagnosed with hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies type II which caused numbness in his body below the elbows and knees. Despite exhibiting typical behaviors in his early years, he was advised by doctors to use a wheelchair permanently at the age of 10.

Aoki’s involvement in wheelchair basketball began in 1997 at the Courage Center, currently known as the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, in Minneapolis. His passion for the sport led to the development of numerous friendships.

In 2007, he transitioned to wheelchair rugby at the Courage Center. Now, seventeen years later, the Minneapolis native is preparing to participate in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, marking the culmination of a successful career. The games are scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 8.

Describing Aoki as a remarkable talent, Joe Delagrave, the head coach of the U.S. Paralympic wheelchair rugby team and a former teammate of Aoki’s, emphasized Aoki’s unwavering commitment to the sport and his relentless competitive spirit.

Inspired by ‘Murderball’

Aoki discovered wheelchair rugby, a physically demanding and tactical sport for individuals with disabilities, in 2005 after watching the documentary “Murderball,” which showcases the 2004 U.S. Paralympic wheelchair rugby team. He was drawn to the sport’s physicality and intense nature, but it wasn’t until the summer of 2007 that he began playing, after persuading his parents to allow him to do so.

According to Aoki, his parents were understandably curious, given his history of frequent injuries, when he expressed interest in the sport. Despite getting roughed up and sent flying during his first practice at Courage Kenny and Golden Valley in Minnesota, he demonstrated promise for a beginner. His enjoyment of the collisions and impacts, combined with his initial performance, led to an immediate affection for the sport.

Aoki began his wheelchair sports career with the Minnesota North Stars in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. The team reached the Division II national championship game in consecutive seasons, finishing as runners-up to the San Diego Sharp in 2007-2008 and claiming the title in 2008-2009, during which Aoki was recognized as the Division II MVP.

Simultaneously, Aoki achieved success in wheelchair basketball, contributing to consecutive national championships for the Courage Kenny Junior Rolling Timberwolves in 2008 and 2009.

Aoki’s rapid progress in wheelchair rugby led to his inclusion in the U.S. national team during the 2008-2009 season when he became the team’s second-youngest player at 17 years old. Transitioning from wheelchair basketball to wheelchair rugby came naturally to him, as he emphasized the importance of maneuvering the chair swiftly and effectively in any wheelchair sport.

His introduction to international competition occurred in 2009, where he guided the U.S. team to a gold medal in the American Zonal Championships. Subsequently, Aoki played vital roles in securing gold medals for the U.S. at the 2010 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships and again at the 2011 American Zonal Championships.

In 2012, Aoki made his debut on the U.S. Paralympic team alongside Delagrave, his fellow athlete from Golden Valley, Minnesota. Their partnership began at the local facility, progressed to their joint selection to the national team, and culminated with their participation in the Paralympic Games in London, where the U.S. team secured a bronze medal.

Leaving a lasting impact

Since then, Aoki has evolved into arguably one of the most accomplished wheelchair rugby players in history. He presently possesses four world championship medals (gold in 2010, silver in 2022, and bronze in 2014 and 2018), three Parapan American Games medals (gold in 2019 and 2023, silver in 2015), and three Paralympic medals (silver in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, bronze in London 2012).

Aoki is poised to make history as the first four-time U.S. Paralympic wheelchair rugby player, with Delagrave serving as his head coach. His sights are set on securing his first Paralympic gold medal at the Paris games.

“I definitely aim to bring home that gold,” Aoki expressed. “Every competitor wants to excel in their sport, and for me, achieving Paralympic gold represents the pinnacle of success. My goal is to be the best in the world.”

While proudly representing Minneapolis and his current residence and training location in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he also works as a disability service navigator at the University of Michigan, Aoki aspires to leave a lasting impact on the sport, extending beyond mere medal victories.

“One of my major objectives is to establish a enduring influence in the Paralympic sports realm and the sport in general,” he explained. “I want my legacy to embody significant success as an athlete who went above and beyond to uplift others and attract more individuals to the sport. I’ve been in this for a long time, and hopefully, I’m not quite finished yet.”