YANKTON, SD (Dakota News Now) – “Baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, tennis, basketball, badminton.” These are the sports that Paralympic athlete Miles Krajewski plays.

He is an all-round athlete.

And a guy that everyone likes to be around, even his opponents.

“Whenever we went to a tournament, it seemed like the kids wanted to play with him. He always has a good attitude, he’s always having fun out there. He’s improved over the years, so it was great to have him out there. The team really looked up to him, they voted him captain last year,” says Yankton Golf Coach Brett Sime.

Miles Krajewski was also a key player on some very good Yankton tennis teams throughout his career.

But it was clear from a young age that badminton was his favorite and best sport. And his perseverance is an inspiration to everyone who knows him.

“We knew early on in his life that he would face challenges. He is smaller and more delicate than all his friends. But that never stopped us. And seeing what he has achieved in badminton, but also in all his other sports, makes me very proud. I am extremely proud to see the young man he has become,” says father Mike Krajewski.

He’s become an Olympian. Miles will compete in Paris later this month and couldn’t be prouder to wear the red, white and blue jersey after all the years of hard work and sacrifice he has spent away from home training and competing in tournaments around the world.

“It’s all paid off and I finally get to represent my country, my city and my state. It’s just an incredible experience,” says Miles.

His family certainly knows what quality has brought him this far.

“I know I’ve often talked about hard work, but only hard work. Whatever he does, he gives 100 percent and I think that’s great,” says his younger sister Nora Krajewski.

“He’s competitive and strives to win at everything he does and just works to get there,” says younger brother Harrison Krajewski.

And as for pride… that’s exaggerated!

“You see, my brother is a Paralympic athlete and I just think that’s so cool,” says Nora.

Throughout the challenges of his life, Miles has clearly developed some very important and impressive character traits. Including one that is probably the most important in life.

“My parents taught me how to lose gracefully, but also how to win humbly, and I am very grateful for that,” Miles says.

And when it comes to his badminton game, no one wants to win more than him when he takes the court in Paris, which is reflected in his playing style.

“A lot of them can do more trick shots or feint better than I can, but I just outrun them or pretty much outlast them,” Miles says.

And he will do it with a smile!

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