Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
Meet the athlete training for the 2028 Summer Paralympics at Birmingham’s Lakeshore Foundation
Reading time: 5 minutes
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In 2028, athletes from around the world will travel to Los Angeles for the 2028 Summer Paralympics. Among the 22 Summer sports in the Paralympic program is Boccia—a highly competitive tactical throwing and rolling sport that can be played by athletes of various abilities.
To learn more about Boccia, we met with Daniel Castillo—a member of Boccia United States who trains at Birmingham’s own Lakeshore Foundation, the home of Boccia United States.
Meet Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
Nestled away in Homewood just off Highway 31, the Lakeshore Foundation is a world-class fitness, recreation, sport and research organization for people of all abilities.
It is also the only official U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site in the state of Alabama.
On any given day, you will find dozens of athletes training to meet their Paralympic goals—just like Daniel Castillo.
Born and raised in West Texas, Daniel is a C-4 quadriplegic veteran and member of Boccia United States—one of the fastest-growing Paralympic sports.
While serving on a Special Operation in Central America with the United States Army Special Forces in 1987, Daniel sustained a serious injury that left him in a coma for two-and-a-half months. Due to his injury, Daniel has lost the use of all four limbs.
Following his recovery from his injury, Daniel joined several Medal of Honor recipients from Vietnam and traveled the country with a nonprofit dedicated to teaching students about military history and patriotism.
After 15 years with the nonprofit, Daniel began looking for a new obsession—and found Boccia.
Originally designed as a competitive sport for individuals with cerebral palsy, Boccia was introduced as a Paralympic sport in 1984 and has since expanded to include any athlete with a severe disability that requires the use of a wheelchair.
In Boccia, athletes can compete individually, in pairs or in teams of three and can play in one of four classes based on their functional ability. The goal of the game is to throw or roll colored leather balls as close as possible to a white target ball called the “jack.”
“In 2013, BlazeSports invited me to Atlanta through the Paralyzed Veterans of America to a Boccia clinic. I was amazed by the sport, and my partner and I won the mini tournament. I knew this was a sport I wanted to pursue.”
Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
Around 2020, Daniel made the jump to the Lakeshore Foundation and qualified for Boccia United States.
“The Lakeshore Foundation has been a great foundation for us. The food is great and the facilities are incredible, but my favorite part is the camaraderie.
I compete in several sports here, so its great to meet others who share my love for the sports and see them develop their skills.”
Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
How the Lakeshore Foundation is helping Daniel prepare for the 2028 Summer Paralympics
Daniel plays eight adaptive sports—three of them, including Boccia, on a national level—so he has to maintain a high level of physical fitness. As the home of Boccia United States, the Lakeshore Foundation is an invaluable resource for athletes like Daniel.
“I’m almost 64, and I am on track to be the oldest Paralympian in history if I make it to the courts in 2028. The Lakeshore Foundation has set me up with a nutritionist and put me on a physical conditioning program to make sure I’m where I need to be to qualify.”
Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
Daniel and his fellow Boccia United States colleagues qualified after a two-day selection camp at Lakeshore Foundation in late November.
“We’re out on the courts anywhere from eight to twelve hours a day under Dr. Kathy Brinker. I barely have time to get to the gym!”
Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
Interested in learning more about Boccia in Birmingham?
What’s next for Daniel and the members of Boccia United States? In March 2025, they’ll travel to a special training training camp at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
“Boccia is a really cool game. It’s a very strategic game, almost like chess—you have to be tactical and throw in a bit blocking to win.
I encourage anyone to try Boccia—don’t set any limits on your ability!”
Daniel Castillo, Boccia United States
To learn more about the sport and Boccia United States, contact the Lakeshore Foundation’s High Performance Consultant Dr. Kathy Brinker.
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