Jon Rydberg
Encyclopedia
Jon Rydberg is a world-class wheelchair tennis
player and Paralympian from Pine City, Minnesota
. He was a member of the 2004 United States Paralympic team
that competed in Athens
, Greece
. In 2007, he became the top-ranked wheelchair tennis player in the United States. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics
, he competed in both singles and doubles. In the singles event he lost in the third round to eventual gold medalist Shingo Kunieda
, and in doubles he and his partner Stephen Welch were knocked out in the second round.
Also an accomplished wheelchair basketball
player, Rydberg has contributed to the Rolling Timberwolves program that the Minnesota Timberwolves
sponsors. He currently resides in the Twin Cities and has his own clothing line, Midevil, Inc.
Wheelchair Tennis
Wheelchair tennis is one of the forms of tennis adapted for those who have disabilities in their lower bodies. The size of courts, balls, and rackets are same, but there are two major differences from pedestrian tennis; they use specially designed wheelchairs and the ball may bounce up to two times...
player and Paralympian from Pine City, Minnesota
Pine City, Minnesota
Pine City is a city in Pine County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 3,123 at the 2010 census. Pine City is the county seat of, and the largest city in, Pine County...
. He was a member of the 2004 United States Paralympic team
United States at the 2004 Summer Paralympics
The United States sent a delegation to compete at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece. A total of 235 U.S. competitors took part in 18 sports; the only sport Americans did not compete in was soccer 5-a-side...
that competed in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. In 2007, he became the top-ranked wheelchair tennis player in the United States. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics
2008 Summer Paralympics
The 2008 Summer Paralympic Games, the thirteenth Paralympics, took place in Beijing, China from September 6 to September 17, 2008. As with the 2008 Summer Olympics, equestrian events were held in Hong Kong and sailing events in Qingdao....
, he competed in both singles and doubles. In the singles event he lost in the third round to eventual gold medalist Shingo Kunieda
Shingo Kunieda
is a Japanese number one singles wheelchair tennis player. Kunieda is a right-hander whose favorite surface is hard court. His coach is Hiromichi Maruyama. His training base is the Tennis Training Center in Kashiwa....
, and in doubles he and his partner Stephen Welch were knocked out in the second round.
Also an accomplished wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball
Wheelchair basketball is basketball played by people in wheelchairs and is considered one of the major disabled sports practiced. The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation is the governing body for this sport. It is recognized by the International Paralympic Committee as the sole...
player, Rydberg has contributed to the Rolling Timberwolves program that the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are an American professional basketball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . Founded in 1989, the team is currently owned by Glen Taylor...
sponsors. He currently resides in the Twin Cities and has his own clothing line, Midevil, Inc.