Meet Cole, a 16-year-old para table tennis player who is determined to qualify for and win a medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France. Born with Arthrogryposis in his lower extremities that severely limits the movement in his ankles, feet, and toes, Cole is a successful business owner, a home-schooled student, and a resilient young man who has faced failures and adversities, but never gives up on his dreams.

Competitive Beginnings: A Triumph at Six Months Old
At only six months old, his competitive spirit was already on display when he won a baby crawling race. However, the race was not without challenges as a setback occurred and a rematch was needed. Nonetheless, he emerged victorious both times.

His early childhood included participating in soccer and tennis. Despite him physically lagging behind his peers he contributed to his soccer teams undefeated season with his incredible accuracy and abundance of positivity. Moving on from soccer he won champion in several tennis tournaments, always against abled bodies. It was a streak of bad weather keeping him off the court which led him to explore the indoor sport of table tennis in 2022.

At the age of 10, Cole and his brother started a business creating crocheted hats, scarves, and blankets to raise money for the Delaware Ronald McDonald House, where Cole spent many months while receiving treatment for arthrogryposis at Nemours Children's Hospital. Although their business did not gain traction, Cole did not let this discourage him. Two years later he and his brother opened a bonsai business, which within two years sold over 500 trees and enabled them to purchase a vehicle.

In 2023, Cole and his brother faced another setback when their successful bonsai YouTube channel was banned over a video they posted of one of their momma hens protecting her young chicks. Despite this, Cole remains fearless and embraces being the underdog. Just a few months after this, and just over a year of playing table tennis, in his first international table tennis tournament, he faced the then #2 player in the world in his class, doing so confidently without intimidation. His contagious positive attitude helped lead him and his 14-year-old doubles partner to a nail-biting 5-game match against a team that had double the years of experience as well as double the age.

Cole's achievements on the court are equally impressive as his entrepreneurial spirit. Just a few weeks after his international debut with just 4 months of prior professional training, Cole was selected as one of only five USA players to attend a high-performance training camp in Slovenia. This recognition further fueled Cole's desire to achieve his ultimate goal - to win a medal at the Olympics.

Cole's dedication to improving his skills and achieving his goals is unmatched. He spends countless hours practicing and perfecting his craft, both on and off the court. His hard work has paid off, as he has consistently improved his rankings and performance at tournaments.

Cole's dreams extend beyond table tennis and business. He has written a manuscript for a children's book and aspires to help others reach their full potential. Being a coach and mentor is high on his list of potential career paths, and he hopes to continue to inspire and motivate others. Cole's resilience, determination, and positive attitude are a testament to his character and a source of inspiration for all. He has faced failures and adversities, but never gave up on his dreams. Cole is a true example of how with hard work, dedication, and a positive attitude, anything is possible.

Please consider supporting Cole on his journey to the Olympics.

Learn more about Cole and his journey at https://colerothenberger.com

2024 Olympic Journey

By Cole Rothenberger Para Athlete

2024 Olympic Journey

Team Members