Athlete Spotlight: Blade Hunker, Special Olympics Alberta - Wetaskiwin
Special Olympics has always been a family affair for Blade Hunker.
“I first found out about Special Olympics because my mom told me, and my brother also played on a floor hockey team,” he said. “It’s a good place to be.”
“I thought it would be more difficult, but it’s different and fun. It’s easy.”
Hunker has been a member of Special Olympics Alberta – Wetaskiwin for about five years. Like so many other Special Olympics athletes, Hunker said he joined the organization because of his love for sports, but also because of the feeling of acceptance he’s been able to find among others with an intellectual disability.
“I wanted to play sports and I have special needs, so this is better than being on other sports teams,” he said. “There are lots of people like me there, and we love playing sports. We’re part of a team.”
Hunker participates in a variety of summer and winter sports, including curling and bocce ball, but floor hockey appears to be his forte, having competed at the provincial level in Canada’s favourite pastime – something he hopes do at the national level one day as well.
Even when he’s outside of the rink, Hunker said he is consistently preparing for Special Olympics.
“I do push ups and sit-ups every night,” he said. “I’m an athlete so I need to be fit.”
Hunker is looking to take his athletic skills beyond the rink and into the ball diamond, as he is hoping to join the Special Olympics Alberta - Wetaskiwin softball team in the near future. He also spoke on the upcoming 2017 Special Olympics Summer Games in Medicine Hat, which are scheduled from July 7-9.
“In bocce ball I hope our team makes the summer games in Medicine Hat,” he said. “I am also hoping they start a softball team and I am looking forward to floor hockey starting too.”
Hunker finished by saying he would recommend Special Olympics to anyone who may be thinking about joining. He said some people might have a false perception of what the organization is and what it does, but it really is fun and exciting to be a part of.