PHOENIX (AZFamily) \u2014 More than 100 Arizona athletes will compete across 11 sports at the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis, including one tennis player who kept his selection a secret for nearly a year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had to keep it a secret for almost a year and that was hard,\u201d Richard Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
The 59-year-old has been part of the Special Olympics since 2000.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s like a dream. I have to either slap myself or pinch myself and say it\u2019s reality,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
Aiming for the world stage<\/p>\n
Furubotten said he has wanted to do this for a very long time.<\/p>\n
Special Olympics Arizona tennis coach Robert Granlund said Furubotten started packing two weeks ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s incredibly excited,\u201d Granlund said.<\/p>\n
If Furubotten does well in Minneapolis, he could get selected for the World Games.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a friend that go to World Games for cycling years ago. Came back and brought a VHS tape of the opening ceremonies. I watched and I said, \u2018That\u2019s where I want to go,\u2019\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
Ready to compete<\/p>\n
This will be the biggest stage Furubotten has ever competed on, but that doesn\u2019t bother him.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe goal is to go out then and do the very best and come back with the gold. I\u2019m not underestimating nobody. I\u2019m going to be going up against younger people. I\u2019m the oldest in my division, but I\u2019m ready for the fight,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
What Furubotten lacks in mobility, he makes up for in power.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think my serves are very good and very fast. Clocked at almost 70 mph,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
He is dedicated, too, practicing in the Arizona heat.<\/p>\n
\u201cLife of a tennis player. A lot of water and Gatorade,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
He said he is proving his physical and mental toughness.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always tell people either you\u2019re in my way, get out of the way, or help me along the way. Because if you try to stop me with what I\u2019m trying to do, that\u2019s going to make me want to even try harder,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
Furubotten said people with disabilities are not to be held back. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe can exceed anything in life. I\u2019m 59 and I\u2019m going to a USA Games. I never thought I would be doing this. And so I\u2019m just trying to set an example for everybody,\u201d Furubotten said.<\/p>\n
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