ProRodeo Sports News - April 16, 2021

wanted me to go to school, and I told them I didn’t want to go to school, I wanted to raise bucking bulls.” In 2002, Godfrey went to a sale of stock contractor Dillon Page’s in Oklahoma. Godfrey bought Page’s cow for $2,000. “Then, I raised Little Mr. T, a bucking bull out of her,” Godfrey said. “He went on to compete at the NFR. He was the grandson of the famous bucking bull Mr. T. I won a bunch of money with Little Mr. T, then I sold him in 2006 for $15,000 and I sold his momma for $15,000. I started getting some money by selling my animals. That put me on the map as a breeder.” FROM THE POOL BACK TO TABLE TENNIS In 2008, Godfrey was watching the Summer Olympics in Beijing when U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won eight gold medals. It motivated Godfrey to start swimming in hopes of qualifying for the Paralympics. From 2010-12, Godfrey participated in a special fitness training program at Tarleton State University’s Laboratory of Wellness and Motor Behavior (LWMB). The program focused on improving Godfrey’s weight,

cardiovascular system, flexibility and overall well-being. Every day Godfrey was helped from his wheelchair and into the pool for the workouts. He improved his diet, endurance and arm strength by swimming and working out in the cycling lab. He had ambitions of swimming for the U.S. Paralympic team at the 2012 Summer Games in London. That dream didn’t come to fruition, so Godfrey went back to table tennis. He picked up where he left off and was winning medals in competitions around the world until 2015. While Godfrey was having success in his sport, he and his wife of 13 years, Krisi, were dealing with their share of heartbreak. “In the last four years, I have lost two of my kids to cystic fibrosis,” said Godfrey, who didn’t play much table tennis between 2015-16. “When my oldest boy passed away in 2017, I had no more excuses and I signed on with Pathways Core Training Inc. in Irving.” Pathways Core Training is an experience-based training that helps people overcome barriers, align their habits and relationships to their core values, and design an attainable life plan that elevates the quality of their future. “It helped me get my life back on track and I started playing table tennis again in 2017,” Godfrey said. Fast-forward to the present and Godfrey is ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 25 in the world in class 1 singles. The 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Godfrey will compete at the Paralympic World Qualification Tournament in Lasko, Slovenia, June 3-5. If Godfrey wins that tournament, he will qualify for the 2021 Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Aug. 24-Sept. 5. “In January, I hired a coach fromArgentina, and we have been practicing about 27 hours a week, and that’s not counting films and videos,” said Godfrey, who continues to breed bulls. “What my mental management program has taught me, and I didn’t have this when I was rodeoing, was learning how to deal with pressure. I’m just going to breathe and stay in the now, and I see myself doing exactly what I want to do. It would be great to make the Olympics. It would mean all the training and all the stuff I went through were worth it.” “Mike and I first met in 1984,” Krisi said. “We got back in touch online in 2006 and got married in 2007. I don’t think he realizes what an inspiration he is to other people. He’s such a bright light and has such a strong spirit. He gives people his smile when they don’t have one. I’m not surprised he’s this close to making the Olympics because once he puts his mind to something, he gives it everything he has.” The USA Table Tennis organization does not provide Godfrey with funding for training or travel. To support Godfrey, donations may be sent to Michael Godfrey, 3201 FM 1496, Dublin, Texas, 76446. In wheelchair table tennis, Godfrey is known as “Cowboy.” His wife would love to see her husband make the Olympics.

Photo courtesy Krisi Godfrey Michael Godfrey competes in saddle bronc riding in this undated photo. He rode saddle broncs and bulls for nearly 20 years before being injured.

Photo courtesy Krisi Godfrey Michael Godfrey shares a moment with his wife, Krisi. The two were rodeo friends in the 1980s before reconnecting and marrying in the 2000s.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/16/2021

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