Mitchell Stephens
2011
Mitchell Stephens beat extraordinary odds to become a national and international champion in the sport of table tennis. He became a triple amputee (both legs and right arm) as a result of a train accident in 1969. Encouraged by his father to try table tennis, Mitch quickly discovered a natural talent for the sport and began to train seriously. Despite facing tremendous challenges—especially in a fast-paced game where even wheelchair athletes rely heavily on upper body strength—Mitch refused to let his disability limit him.
At age 18, only four years after his injury, Mitch finished second in the semi-finals at the 1973 National Wheelchair Games in New York, losing only to a 16-year-old phenom named Mike Dempsey. For years, he remained a perennial silver medalist to Dempsey in open events, but was a consistent National Champion in Class 5 competition.
During the early years of his career, opportunities for international competition were limited because his disability classification made him ineligible for the International Stoke Mandeville Games. However, in 1980, Mitch finally had his breakthrough when he was selected to the first U.S. National multi-disability team in Paralympic history. Competing at the 1980 Paralympic Games in Arnhem, Holland, he won a gold medal in the amputee Class C1 division. From that point on, Mitch maintained his dominance, consistently winning national championships in Class 5 and earning silver medals in open competition—again, always just behind his rival and friend Mike Dempsey.
Mitch went on to compete in the 1984 Paralympic Games held in New York, where he won a silver medal in the amputee Class L2 category. Known for his consistency, determination, and sportsmanship, Mitch was respected not just for his achievements but for his tenacity and skill at the table.
In 1988, he expanded his athletic pursuits and took his talent to a new arena—wheelchair tennis—where he placed second in the quad division at the Music City Lightning Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. He also played for the Music City Wheelchair Basketball Team, which went on to win a National Championship in 1989.
Mitchell Stephens’ story is one of perseverance, passion, and excellence. Despite facing what many would have seen as insurmountable challenges, he became one of the most accomplished and inspiring multi-sport athletes of his generation.