After the Tokyo Paralympics, Ezra Frech set a wallpaper on his phone featuring the podium of the T63 high jump final. Although he had finished fifth in that event, far from his gold medal goal, he added two powerful words to that picture: “Never again.” Three years later, that promise came full circle as Ezra stood on top of the podium, finally achieving his track and field dream.

Last night, Ezra faced off against the very person from his wallpaper: Sam Grewe, the defending Paralympic champion and silver medalist from Rio. With a world record to his name, Frech was determined to make his mark. When he finally emerged victorious over his idol, it felt like a full-circle moment. But even with this triumph, Ezra has set his sights on another goal, pushing his limit.

Just before the high jump event, Ezra had already clinched gold in the 100m T63 on September 2. While many might have been content with two gold medals, Ezra is far from finished. In his chat with Lewis Johnson after the high jump, he said, “I wish I got that world record [in high jump], but I’ll save it for LA.” Despite setting a new Paralympic record at 1.94 meters, Frech felt a pang of disappointment for falling just 0.03 meters short of his world record. So, did Ezra Frech let his emotions slip despite clinching gold?

Certainly not! In the same conversation, Ezra Frech allowed a moment of emotion as he reflected on his remarkable journey. After an unexpected Tokyo Paralympics outing, he bet on himself, overcoming countless challenges. And now, three years later, he’s on top of his own personal Mt. Rushmore. “I can’t even believe this is real. I can’t even believe it,” he said, capturing the awe of his achievement.

The “happiest man alive” also took a moment to express his profound gratitude to those who supported him along the way. “I’m just overwhelmed with gratitude,” Ezra admitted. This support from his close circle has been instrumental in helping him dream big and pursue those dreams with unwavering determination. Despite being born with congenital limb differences, his iron-clad resolve has propelled him past every obstacle, shaping him into a unique athlete. And through it all, the steadfast support of his family has been crucial to his success.

Ezra Frech finds his mother’s advice handy when facing any obstacle

Ezra Frech now boasts two Olympic gold medals, and achieving them was no walk in the park. In the T63 high jump, he had to fend off some formidable competitors, while in the 100m T63, a slow start meant he was neck-and-neck with Daniel Wagner right up to the finish line. Frech clinched the title in 12.06 seconds, narrowly beating Wagner’s 12.08 seconds. For an athlete who had his lower left leg amputated at just two years old, finding the drive to push through challenges is crucial—and thankfully, he didn’t have to look far for that motivation.

In an exclusive interview with EssentiallySports, Frech shared his deep connection to the Olympics, recounting a pivotal moment from his youth: “I was 11 years old I was watching the Rio 2016 Paralympics and I had this moment in my living room where I was watching the games and I almost felt like it was the universe telling me this is your calling, this is what you’re meant to do. It was an out-of-body experience almost.” He added, “I felt that there are these moments in life where the universe guides us and this was mine.”

Frech’s journey has been fueled not just by his own drive but also by his mother’s empowering words. To combat the negativity of others, she advised him, “Walk into any room with your chin up, chest out, and walk in like you own the place. Don’t retreat to those insecurities about your disability.” These words have become his motivational mantra, guiding him through success and challenges alike.

With such an inspiring foundation, it’s no wonder Frech is already setting his sights on the LA 2028 Olympics. Could these early plans be the next step in his quest for greatness?