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Meet the Austin Athlete Competing in the World Dwarf Games

Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon, KUT News

This August, the World Dwarf Games celebrates its 20th anniversary. Every four years, athletes from around the world compete for international recognition at the games.

Sam Bremen is representing Austin.

Credit Natalie Krebs for KUT News
Bremen instructs four-year-olds. “As soon as they start understanding and grasping the fact that since we are all different – people can have different experiences – then they start respecting it and listening,” he says.

Bremen works year-round at a pre-school in Central Austin.  After work, he goes to grad-school. And after that, he trains. At this year’s World Dwarf Games in Michigan, Bremen will compete in soccer – his best sport – as well as bocce ball, badminton and basketball.

The competitions are fierce. Teams from 18 different countries, including Serbia, Brazil, the Netherlands and Congo will be competing. That’s almost 400 athletes from around the world, seeking triumph and a camaraderie that’s hard to find in a world of mostly average size people.

But it comes at a cost: Each athlete has to cover their expenses, from training to travel to room and board. Bremen says he’s looking for sponsors who can help him pay his way to Michigan. He says some of his students have pitched in and are cheering him on.

“I feel like I’ve been put on this Earth to try and make a difference in people that have differences,” he says.

Listen to our story about Bremen and the games in the player above. 

Credit Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon, KUT News
Bremen and a friend leave the field at Zilker Park. The World Dwarf Games begin the first weekend in August.

Texas Standard reporter Joy Diaz has amassed a lengthy and highly recognized body of work in public media reporting. Prior to joining Texas Standard, Joy was a reporter with Austin NPR station KUT on and off since 2005. There, she covered city news and politics, education, healthcare and immigration.
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