Richmondites can cheer on their next hometown hero when the Paralympics kick off next week.
Travis Murao, originally from Richmond but currently training in Toronto, is part of Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby team – a sport that requires a metalworker on side during games to fix chairs that get damaged during play.
Because of its aggressive nature, wheelchair rugby was originally called "murderball" - it's called "quad rugby" in the U.S.
Murao has previously taken part in Paralympics and other international events and now is heading to Tokyo to vie for a medal with Team Canada.
There are three B.C. athletes on the wheelchair rugby team.
Murao attended the University of Arizona where he studied English and played with the U.S. Quad Rugby Association.
Richmond Centre for Disability (RCD) will be promoting the Paralympic Games, which run from Aug. 24 to Sept. 5, at their current location inside Lansdowne Shopping Centre.
A television will be at RCD’s wifi lounge projecting into the mall so shoppers can follow the games.
Dave Thomson, outreach coordinator, will also be compiling information about the 21 B.C. athletes taking part in the games.
Thomson will also be posting medal counts and Power-Point presentations on the various sports being played at the Paralympics.
Canada’s wheelchair rugby team plays Great Britain on Wednesday, Aug. 25 and faces off against the U.S. on Thursday, Aug. 26.
