Kalamazoo man wins gold in Special Olympics
ORLANDO, Flor. — A man from Kalamazoo won Gold in the 5000-meter run in the Special Olympics USA Games, Wednesday.
Julian Borst, 25, of Kalamazoo, is back on the podium after winning his fourth Gold Medal in the Special Olympics Games on Wednesday in Orlando, Florida.
Borst was neck and neck with a runner from New Jersey before he took the lead, and won Gold finishing in 16 minutes and 38 seconds.
“I’m extremely proud to be here, to add another gold is wonderful,” Borst said. “It’s great to be representing Michigan, representing the best of the best.”
Borst is expected to race again Thursday, a 10k, his longest race of the week.
Team Michigan kicked off the week long Special Olympics Games, Monday with a soccer game matchup against Team Florida.
“Everyone had fun, it was really great to be outside and play soccer,” said Special Olympics Michigan soccer player, Jed Comden, from Holland Christian High School. “It’s a great opportunity, we are blessed."
More than 5,500 Special Olympic from the United States and the Caribbean participate in 19 sports throughout the week long event, giving players with and without intellectual disabilities a chance to showcase their athleticism and talent.
"It’s one of the highlights of my life," Comden said.