Alonzo Jenkins

Athlete – Track & Field
Inducted 2013

Alonzo Jenkins won more than 23 gold medals, 21 national championships, participated in three Paralympic Games and one world championship during his 10-year track & field career. Jenkins was the first blind student to compete in his high school’s cross country championship in 1981. From there, he went on to set a USABA national record in the 100m in 1983 and 1984. At the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York, Jenkins won silver in the 400m. He won gold in the 100m at the world championships in 1986, as well as in 1988 (Seoul), 1992 (Barcelona) and world championships in Sweden (1986). From 1983 to 1996, Jenkins held the USABA national long jump record. Not only was Jenkins a stellar track star, he was also inducted into the national wrestling hall of fame and presented the national wrestling medal of courage award. He won two high school wrestling state championships against sighted peers during his career. Jenkins continued being a South Carolina Association of Blind Athletes athlete, coach and mentor for an additional 10 year following his USABA competitions.