David Gelfand Has Sights Set On Thriathlons

Whiz Kid's Name, Age: David Gelfand, 12

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: The athlete does not let his deficiency or the fact that he has to wear prosthetics interfere with his daily life.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: David Gelfand was born with Focal Femoral Deficiency — he was born without the bones between his hip and his left foot — but he has remained upbeat and more active than anyone would expect. 

"He doesn't let things stop him," his mother Linda Gelfand said of her son's ambition and "not wanting to lose," attitude.

Later this year, Gelfand will be participating in the swimming portion of the San Diego Triathlon Challenge — approximately 1.2 miles — with the hopes of participating in the biking and running portions in future years.

In 2009, Gelfand swam the length in 35 minutes, which resulted in Challenged Athletes Foundation awarding the young 10-year-old the Hope Award.

The award is "given to a challenged athlete who has provided hope to others as a shining example of accomplishment and inspiration," according to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.

This past Saturday marked the first Swim-A-Thon to Benefit the Challenged Athletes Foundation and Weston Swimming. Raffle prize entries were entered based on laps and fund-raising including an iPod Touch, gift certificates to restaurants including Acqua, Matsu Sushi, Tavern on Main, Finalmente Trattoria, Oscar's Deli, Gold's Deli, Top This, and stores by the likes of bluemercury, Max's Art Supplies, Metro Swim Shop, Achorn's Pharmacy, BeautifulFaces, Silver of Westport, Learning Express, Patagonia and more. 

David, who is not sure if the swim-a-thon will become an annual event, became involved in "CAF at the age of 5 and was inspired by the incredible athletes that he met," according to this biography. Gelfand joined the Weston Trojans swim team two years later, competing against other able-bodied swimmers.

Some races Gelfand has participated in include Connecticut's regional able-bodied Age-Group Swim Championships and the Greater Toldeo Aquatic Club Disability Open.

Prior accomplishments of his include the winning of 12 gold medals in track, field, and swimming events along with setting 10 national records.

Swimming and triathlons have become David's main sport of focus since previously playing soccer, baseball, standing hockey and sled hockey, as well as getting into biking and hiking. 

David's ultimate goals include qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil and doing an Ironman Triathlon. He also plans to attend the University of California at Berkeley after high school.