Nicolai Calabria

Nico’s Story

Nicolai Calabria is an elite athlete, coach, teacher, and advocate for disability sport.

Born without his right leg, Nico grew up in Concord, Massachusetts, and developed a love of sport and the outdoors from an early age. Initially walking with the use of prosthetics, he opted to use forearm crutches for increased mobility, unlocking a remarkable natural talent and athleticism.

By the age of five, he developed a deep love of soccer, and now captains both the United States Men’s National Amputee Soccer Team, and New England Amputee Soccer Association. Debuting at just 16 for his country, he stands as the Stars and Stripes’ top goalscorer, and was named MVP of the 2022 World Cup Qualifying tournament. In 2012, he scored an outstanding bicycle kick for his high school team, which circulated around the world.

Nico Calabria (aged 13) and his father post on Mount Kilimanjaro with peaks in the background; clear blue sky overhead.

Nico Calabria's autograph - 'NC' with '10' replacing the 'I' and 'O'

A long-standing Board Member of the American Amputee Soccer Association and founder of the New England team in 2018, he led his team to trophy success with the 2023 U.S. Amputee Soccer Cup, finishing the inaugural tournament with the Golden Boot and Best All Around Player awards.

Also an avid climber and mountaineer, Nico became the first person to ever summit the 19,331-foot peak of Mount Kilimanjaro on crutches - as a teenager, raising an astonishing $100,000 for charity to deliver wheelchairs to the people of Tanzania. The incredible feat was the subject of an award-winning documentary “Nico’s Challenge”, which drew media attention from the Ellen DeGeneres Show, the CBS Evening News, CNN News Room, and on NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He has also scaled Mount Cayambe (18,996’) and Mount Cotopaxi (19,347’) in Ecuador as part of other fundraising campaigns to improve access to healthcare for people with disabilities.

Deeply passionate, Nico has long advocated for disability sport and disability rights, quitting his job as a full-time teacher to dedicate his time to growing the game across the U.S. and pursue his dreams of playing soccer at the highest level.

A graduate of Colorado College and Lesley University with a BA and M.Ed. in Education, he also serves as the Lead Educator for the Bionic Project, which seeks to eliminate disability bias through education, story, and sport. A dynamic and engaging speaker, Nico has traveled across the world to share his powerful story on his mission to make sport accessible for all and to redefine limits.

Nico Calabria at New England Revolution's training facility, wearing a blue Revs sports jersey and cap, using forearm crutches.

A young Nico Calabria in a blue soccer jersey, standing with crutches on a grassy field, next to a soccer ball.

Nico Calabria holds his crutch aloft on a snowy mountain peak, with a scenic view in the background.

Nico’s Challenge

At just 13 years old, Nico made history, as the first person in the world to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on crutches.

The teenager scaled Africa’s highest peak to help children with limb differences in Tanzania, raising an astonishing $100,000 for the Free Wheelchair Mission, an organization that provides wheelchairs for disabled people in developing countries.

The journey was captured in the award-winning documentary Nico’s Challenge, a powerful story of determination, purpose, and perspective. The film premiered at the Heartland Film Festival, capturing the hearts of audiences around the world.

Watch Nico’s Challenge

Nico Calabria uses his crutches to do a scorpion kick, kicking the ball over his head.

The United States Amputee Soccer team with the U.S. flag before the match.

A young Nico Calabria runs with crutches during a soccer game.

Nico Calabria poses with his crutches in a locker room, wearing a blue sports jersey.

Nico Calabria and Andres Iniesta pose for a photo having teamed up to film content for Powerade's World Cup commercial.

A young Nico Calabria receiving an award on stage assisted by two adults

Nico Calabria playing soccer on the beach with his crutches.

Amputee soccer players on a field, one performing an overhead kick using crutches, while others watch near the goal. They are wearing team uniforms with a stadium background.