About

In March of 2009 Blake Haxton was in his senior year of High School in Columbus, Ohio when he contracted Necrotizing Fasciitis, more commonly called the flesh-eating disease. Over the course of three days Blake went from being the captain of his school’s rowing team and a division one rowing recruit to suffering major organ failure and the amputation of both of his legs. Blake was released from the hospital after over twenty major surgeries and three months of inpatient care.

Life-threatening medical complications notwithstanding, Blake enrolled at The Ohio State University the following fall and earned his B.S. in finance in 2013. Blake then enrolled at the Ohio State University’s Moritz College of Law and returned to the sport of rowing, making the U.S. National Team in the Arms and Shoulders single event. Blake has made nine consecutive U.S. Rowing Teams including the teams competing in the Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, 2020 in Tokyo (winner of the silver medal in the VL2 Paracanoe event), and 2024 in Paris (winner of the bronze medal in the VL2 Paracanoe event).  Following the games in Rio, Blake’s fellow Olympic teammates and coaches voted him as the Male Athlete of the Year, making him the first ever para-athlete to win the honor.

Blake earned his law degree from Ohio State in 2016 and currently works as a Research Analyst for Brandywine Global Investment Management in Columbus, Ohio. He continues to train for international competition in the VL2 Paracanoe event.

Blake’s Accomplishments

International Race Results:

  • The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, France: Placed 3rd, Winner of the Bronze Medal (Paracanoe).
  • The 2024 ICF Paracanoe World Championships Szeged, Hungary: Placed 3rd, Winner of the Bronze Medal (Paracanoe).
  • The 2023 ICF Paracanoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany: Placed 3rd, Winner of the Bronze Medal (Paracanoe).
  • The 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo (occurring in 2021 due to Covid-19), Japan: Placed 2nd, Winner of the Silver Medal (Paracanoe).
  • The 2021 ICF Paracanoe World Cup in Szeged, Hungary: Placed 4th, qualified for 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.
  • The 2018 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria: Placed 4th (Rowing).
  • The 2017 World Championships in Sarasota, Florida: Placed 6th (Rowing).
  • The 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Placed 4th (Rowing).
  • The 2015 World Championships in Aiguebelette, France: Placed 5th (Rowing).
  • The 2014 World Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands: Placed 4th (Rowing).
  • 2014 Crash-B World Championships: Placed 1st (Set new American Record).

Awards and Honors:

News Stories, Speeches, and Media Opportunities 

Academic Credentials

  • The Ohio State University, B.S. Finance (2013).
  • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, J.D. (2016).
  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) (2019).