MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. — A Belmont veteran is a step closer to trying out for the 2024 Paralympics in France. 

What You Need To Know

  • A U.S. Army veteran is training for the 2024 Paralympics

  • Brian Conwell lost his legs in a 2014 car crash at Fort Riley, Kansas

  • Conwell has a Paralympics license to continue pursuing his dream of earn a spot on Team USA

Spectrum News first introduced you to Brian Conwell last year before he competed in parasports. Up until July 4, the disabled veteran had earned gold, silver and bronze medals in shot put and discus throw. 

Earlier this month, he earned five medals in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games: Two gold, one silver and two bronze. 

Since he started his journey in parasports, he's also picked up sponsors, coaches and more supporters after marrying his wife, Elizabeth, and blending their families. 

These days, Conwell wakes up at 3 a.m. to meet his calorie intake and training.

“With my throwing events and powerlifting, I eat a lot, anywhere between 3,500 to 4,500,” Conwell said. 

His training focuses on powerlifting, discus throw and shot put.

“It’s a full-time job but it’s a fun job,” Conwell said. 

The Army veteran practices seated throws at a Mount Holly park using a custom-made throwing chair with straps.

His training gives him strength. 

“If it weren’t for my family I wouldn’t be here. They push me,” Conwell said.“If it weren’t for my family I wouldn’t be here. They push me,” Conwell said.

His family is his motivation to power through every throw. 

Elizabeth Conwell is proud.

“I love watching all his accomplishments, all his goals,” she said. 

In May, he won gold in discus during an international competition.

Having these throws on the record and a Paralympics license to compete internationally are bringing him a step closer to his dream.

“We have the goal of representing the country one more time,” Brian Conwell said. 

Conwell first represented the country by serving in the U.S. Army for 10 years. 

A 2014 car crash in Kansas cut his service short.

“I was going to get lunch, hit black ice, ran off a ravine on Trooper Drive on Fort Riley and crushed both of my legs,” Conwell said. 

In October 2020, he walked again with a prosthetic leg, and last year, he started working toward his Paralympic dream. 

“Pain is temporary, quitting is forever. You fight through the pain and you never quit,” Conwell said.“Pain is temporary, quitting is forever. You fight through the pain and you never quit,” Conwell said.

He’s determined to reach his dream, but more importantly, he aims to make his family proud.

“I wanted to show my kids that it didn’t matter what was put in front of them — they wanted something, to reach out and grab it,” Conwell said. 

Conwell will find out if he makes Team USA after a competition in May 2024. 

In the meantime, he’s competing in other qualifying events for the Paralympics and proudly representing the U.S. Army after earning a spot in the Department of Defense Warrior Games in August.