Kyle Coon B1

  • United States
  • Born: 1991
Biography

Kyle Coon lost his sight at the age of six after a battle with Retinoblastoma—cancer of the eye. However, not having sight has not stopped him from pursuing vision. Since then he has become a competitive rock climber, downhill skier, runner and triathlete.
As a young child, Kyle was shown how to embrace his adversity by world-class blind athlete Erik Weihenmayer who encouraged him to live life to the fullest. Kyle took Weihenmayer’s advice to heart and began pursuing a life of adventure.
In 2006, he hiked the Ankascocha Trail into Machu Picchu. In 2007, he summited Mt. Kilimanjaro at the age of 15.
After graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Communication, he became an endurance athlete competing in numerous marathons and triathlons. In 2018, he was a member of the first team of tandem cyclists with all blind or visually impaired stokers (person on the back of a tandem bike) to complete Race Across America—the world’s toughest bicycle race—racing from Oceanside, Calif to Annapolis, Md in seven days 15 hours. Later in 2018, at Ironman Arizona, Kyle became the first totally blind person to complete an Ironman branded Triathlon (2.4 mi swim, 112 mi bike, 26.2 mi run) in under 11 hours. He continues to push himself physically and mentally as he now pursues his goal of representing the USA at the 2020 Paralympics in the sport of Triathlon.
As a young man, Kyle has spoken to major organizations about his adversity and triumphs including various Rotary Clubs in Florida and Taiwan, the International Association of Refrigerated Warehousing, and The American Cancer Society. He has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show and in Backpacker and Triathlete magazines.
Losing sight has only served as a base for Kyle’s ability to master his ambitions despite his inability to see them. Inspiring those with similar challenges and sharing a few laughs along the way has become his trademark. Drawing upon his experiences as a totally blind person and adventure athlete, he demonstrates the importance of vision, commitment and courage to pursuing an “Eyeronvision” and embracing the adversity along our life’s journey.
While he wasn’t the first blind person to climb a mountain, run a marathon or compete in a triathlon, his goal is to be one of the best and ensure he isn’t the last.
Bubba

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Athlete Images
Latest Athlete Results
8
Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
02 Sep, 2024 - PTVI Men - 01:02:47
3
2024 World Triathlon Para Series Montreal
29 Jun, 2024 - PTVI Men - 00:59:17
5
2024 World Triathlon Para Series Yokohama
11 May, 2024 - PTVI Men - 00:58:30
2
2024 Americas Triathlon Para Championships Miami
08 Mar, 2024 - PTVI Men - 00:56:00
6
2023 World Triathlon Para Championships Pontevedra
23 Sep, 2023 - PTVI Men - 01:00:52
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Athlete Fact Sheet
Given Name Kyle
Family Name Coon B1
Representing USA
Para triathlon Class PTVI
Para triathlon Subclass B1
Year of Birth 1991
Residence Colorado Springs, United States
Coach Derick Williamson
Sponsors Bubba Burger. Cycles Chinook
Hobbies Rock climbing, downhill skiing, trail running, hiking, reading, playing guitar.
Website https://www.kylecoon.com/
Twitter @kyle_coon
Facebook Athlete Facebook
Instagram @eyeronkyle
World Triathlon Athlete ID 123494
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