SEAMUS CAMENGA MEDALS AT WORLD DWARF GAMES
TROY, N.Y. » Seamus Camenga, at just 12 years of age, is a medal-winning athlete. He’s 44 inches and likely won’t grow taller than four feet tall, but his career playing sports is only just starting.
Camenga traveled to Canada this week to compete in the World Dwarf Games. Representing the United States, he was part of the team that took home the bronze medal in basketball and floor hockey.
“Not everyone gets to do it,” Camenga said. “If you win med- als at an international level, it’s one of your accomplishments. It’s such a cool thing to do.”
Camenga is the grandson of Troy City Councilman John Donohue. He was born with Achondroplasia, type of dwarfism. But Camenga isn’t limited by it in any regard. He’ll be entering seventh grade at the La Salle Institute this year and plans on being a three sport athlete. He’ll play golf, basketball and lacrosse.
Both he and his mom, Emily Camenga believe that his ability to excel in sports won’t just be against others at the Dwarf Games, it’ll be against athletes of all different sizes and stat- ures.
“I think there is a misconception that this is the only time these kids can play these sports,” Emily Camenga said. “But these kids can play against average height players and use average height equipment and fields all year round. They play up against the most unbelievable athletes, but they’re unbelievable athletes themselves.”
Seamus Camenga said he kept everyone updated on his Instagram about what he was up to in Canada at the World Dwarf Games and got tons of support. Everyone is supporting him and his athletic career.
He said it meant a lot to him to be able to put on a jersey with U. S. A. on it and represent his country. Camenga has wanted to be an athlete since second grade. So now that he is, he knows that he can be an inspiration to others that want to be athletes, but might not look like the conventional athlete.
“I remember when (Golden State Warriors guard) Steph Curry told us that we could do all things,” Camenga said. “I thought to myself, if he could do it, I could do it. I just kept following him. I kept believing in myself, and proved to people that I can do sports.”