Kohen Grantom competes at World Para Athletic Grand Prix

NOTTWIL, Switzerland (KOSA) - At just 17 years old, Coahoma para-athlete Kohen Grantom has Paralympic aspirations.

In order to compete for a spot in Los Angeles in 2028, Grantom will compete in global events, like the World Para Athletic Grand Prix event in Switzerland, to gain a world ranking.

Grantom competed in three events in Nottwil, Switzerland.

In the Thursday events, he finished 26th in the world in the 800m event with a time of 1:40.69. He was the third-fastest USA competitor, and second-fastest among competitors born in 2004 or after.

In the Friday events, he competed in the 400m and 5000m events. Grantom finished 24th in the 400m and 16th in the 5000m. He was the third fastest American again in both events.

Coahoma ISD athletic director Chris Joslin calls Grantom an inspiration.

“I mean, he’s got the best work ethic I’ve ever been around of a kid,” Joslin said. “He has goals and, you know, on the way to Austin [for the high school state meet] we were sitting there, talking about his goals, and he said he had to change his lifestyle, he had to change his eating habits, and for a kid at 17-years-old to understand that you’ve got to do that to get to where you want to, and give up a bunch of your free time-- it just doesn’t happen with very many, if any at all.”

On Friday, May 15, Kohen Grantom won three gold medals and set two Texas state records at the UIL State Track and Field meet.

Just two weeks prior, he broke the national 400m wheelchair record, posting a time of 50.7 seconds.

The competition in Switzerland is just the start for Grantom. He will travel to New York for the Para National Championships in July.