Matt Perkins, president and chief executive officer of Coyote Design, has been inducted into the National Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame.
The Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame has recognized nearly 100 people who are passionate for life, dedicated to inspire others and give back to the community. The National Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame award honors people who have overcome physical challenges to become elite athletes in their fields while also becoming outstanding role models.
Perkins is a transfemoral amputee due to proximal femoral focal deficiency, a rare birth defect that affected the growth of his left leg and hip. Growing up, he was involved with many sports including baseball, basketball, wrestling and alpine ski racing. From 1997 to 2000, Perkins was a member of the US Disabled Ski Team and in 1998 he competed in the Paralympic Games in Nagano, Japan. In 2001, he retired from ski racing and began triathlon training.
After a third place finish in his first trip to the International Triathlon Union World Championship, Perkins won his first World Championship in 2006. He then went on to win worlds in 2007 through 2010. After a short retirement, Perkins returned to worlds in 2012 and placed third.
As co-founder of Coyote Design, Perkins’ goal is to improve the quality of life for orthotic and prosthetic wearers through research, development and construction of innovative, high functioning and reliable products.
