Irmo Photo Gallery | Dutch Fork HS grad is world's fastest amputee

An Irmo native and 2004 Dutch Fork High School graduate is the world's fastest amputee and he's spending some time in the Upstate to get something he can't get anywhere else on the planet.

Jerome Singleton won gold in the 100 meter at this year's Paralympic World Championships. Not bad for a guy who's only been running competitively for 5 years -- all on one leg.

By all accounts, Singleton has defied the odds. He lost his leg because of a birth defect when he was 18-months-old.

The 25-year-old has never known what's it's like to stand on his own two feet, but that has never stopped him. "I tell you one thing," Singleton says with a smile, "If I'm ironing my clothes and the iron falls down on my right leg, I don't flinch!"

He has an infectious sense of humor and unparalleled will to win. "Right now i'm the fastest amputee in the world," sayd Singleton. "That's T-H-E fastest amputee in the world."

With the 2012 Paralympics ahead, Singleton is working to keep that title and that's why he is in Honea Path.

At Friddle's Orthopedic, Singleton is being fitted for a one-of-a-kind competition leg that's supposed to be lighter, stronger, and more cost effective.

There are only two machines that can manufacture the new technology and one of them is at Friddle's. 

Singleton is hoping the new prosthetic and his up to 7 hours of training each day will help qualify him for the games in London.

"My prosthetic side isn't as good as I want it to be," says Singleton. "The stronger I can get it, the faster I can go."

For all the times Singleton could have given up or fallen victim to the low expectations he says are put on people like him, it's not these medals that mean the most. "You remember that journey more than you remember the accomplishment," Singleton says "So, I'm just thankful for that."

Not bad for for a kid who started playing sports just to fit in...

Not only is he a great athlete, he has three degrees; Mathematics, Applied Physics, and Industrial Engineering.