CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — Robin Cuche, a Swiss Para skier who said he was made fun of in school because of his disability, is celebrating two gold medals at the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympic Games.

After triumphing, Cuche became emotional recalling the tough times he had while growing up with a disability. The 27-year-old Cuche was born with hemiplegia, which affects his right leg, and skiing was his escape when he was younger.

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Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men's super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, competes in the alpine skiing men's super-G standing final at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, competes in the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing final at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses the podium after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses the podium after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men’s downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

“At the beginning, when the kids at school made fun of me because I was disabled, it wasn’t always easy, and it was the way to get out of it and to feel a bit more free in life and with my family, my brother,” he said.

Cuche won gold in his first two races at Milan Cortina — the men’s downhill standing and the Super-G standing. He did not finish in the men’s combined standing Tuesday. He was still scheduled to compete in two other races — giant slalom and slalom.

“It’s not because of today, but more about what happened these last few years,” he said after winning his first gold. “My whole life, growing up with a disability and trying to go on skis and then all the training. It has finally paid off.”

Cuche had finished second five times at world championships but was yet to end at the top of the podium at a major competition. He is participating in his third Paralympics, and his best finish so far had been a sixth place at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.

“Five medals at the world champs, always silver,” Cuche said. “To finally have gold, it’s very nice.”

Cuche — the nephew of Didier Cuche, an Olympic alpine skiing silver medalist in 1998 — said his brother, parents, friends of his parents, and two friends were watching him compete in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

AP Winter Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games


Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men's super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)


Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Arthur Bauchet, of France, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and bronze medalist Aleksei Bugaev, of Russia, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)


Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men's super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Silver medalist Patrick Halgren, of the United States, from left, gold medalist Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, and Jules Segers, of France, pose on the podium of the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)


Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, competes in the alpine skiing men's super-G standing final at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, competes in the alpine skiing men’s super-G standing final at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Monday, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)


Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses the podium after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men's downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Robin Cuche, of Switzerland, poses the podium after winning the gold medal in the alpine skiing men’s downhill standing competition at the 2026 Winter Paralympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

HOUSTON (AP) — Cal Raleigh insisted Tuesday he has no beef with Randy Arozarena even though his Seattle teammate lashed out with a vulgar rant after Raleigh left him hanging for a handshake at the World Baseball Classic.

The kerfuffle went viral when Arozarena, a two-time All-Star outfielder playing for Mexico, cursed out Raleigh to a reporter after the Team USA catcher did not accept a handshake before an at-bat in the United States’ 5-3 win.

Speaking to Mexican journalist Luis Gilbert in Spanish, Arozarena said Raleigh “has to thank God that he has nice parents, well educated,” and said he recently hugged them during a friendly greeting at the team hotel.

He then used profane Cuban and Mexican slang to insult Raleigh before pivoting to English and saying Raleigh could shove his “good to see you” in his rear. Arozarena was born in Cuba but defected to Mexico to pursue an MLB career.

Arozarena had reached down to greet Raleigh in his catcher’s squat at home plate, and Raleigh declined to offer his hand back. Raleigh appeared to say something to Arozarena during the exchange at the plate that could have set off the Mexican star.

Arozarena appeared to be visibly upset at Raleigh, though it wasn’t totally clear if he was just having fun at his teammates’ expense. The pair have been teammates since Arozarena was traded from Tampa Bay to Seattle during the 2024 season.

Raleigh called Arozarena a baseball “brother” while explaining there was no tension between the teammates.

“Emotions are running high,” Raleigh told reporters. “There’s no beef here. Like I said, there’s no story to me. I’m not taking this as a big deal, and I don’t think he is either.”

Mariners manager Dan Wilson told reporters he planned to speak to both of his players at Tuesday.

“These guys are incredible athletes because of their competitiveness, and that’s where they’re at, and that’s why they’ve gotten to the level that they’ve gotten,” Wilson said. “But I also know that our team loves each other deeply. And that’s one of the key ingredients we have in that clubhouse, is how much they love each other, and so I don’t anticipate this being any bit of an issue.”

Wilson doesn’t expect whatever happened between the two to linger into the regular season. The Mariners went 90-72 in 2025 and won the franchise’s first AL West title since 2001 in large part behind Raleigh, who became the seventh player in major league history to hit 60 homers in a season.

“Competitiveness is competitiveness,” Wilson said. “It doesn’t matter. Sometimes, it’s a backyard game. Whatever. These guys are competitive. But like I said, I think the love that they have for each other will shine.”

Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer and Roman Anthony added a three-run drive in a big third inning to lead the United States to the win. The U.S. improved to 3-0 and will meet Italy (2-0) on Tuesday night, seeking to secure a spot in the quarterfinals in Houston this weekend.

Jarren Duran homered twice for Mexico (2-1), which will face Italy on Wednesday night in the last game of Group B play.

“I hate that this is a thing. I really don’t think this is a big deal, a big story,” Raleigh said. “It shouldn’t be a thing. I love Randy. I have all the respect for him and Team Mexico.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb


United States pitcher Garrett Whitlock, right, and catcher Cal Raleigh celebrate after the team's victory over Mexico in a World Baseball Classic game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

United States pitcher Garrett Whitlock, right, and catcher Cal Raleigh celebrate after the team’s victory over Mexico in a World Baseball Classic game, Monday, March 9, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)


Mexico's Randy Arozarena doubles during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Brazil, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Mexico’s Randy Arozarena doubles during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Brazil, Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)