Ever since Noah Elliott was named to the U.S. para-snowboarding team in 2016, the Missouri native knew he wanted to be nominated for an ESPY. The ESPN-hosted awards show, sometimes dubbed the ‘Oscars of sports,’ is a massive stage for adaptive sports with its Best Athlete with a Disability award category. This year’s show drew 2.18 million viewers on ABC July 16.
When Elliott found out he’d been nominated for the adaptive award this spring, he was overjoyed. He thought, “Wait, what if I win this.” Elliott’s dream-come-true became even sweeter when he was handed the award on ESPN’s preshow. Elliott got to celebrate one of the moments of his career and enter the ceremony, where he mingled amongst various celebrities.
In a year where the Paris Paralympics dominated the spotlight, it was Elliott who shone brightest. He won back-to-back banked and overall slalom Crystal Globes in 2024-25 and two World Championships medals. Elliott’s fellow nominees Ezra Frech, Grace Norman and Tatyana McFadden all competed in Paris.
“I couldn’t have been more proud of the season I had,” Elliott said. “It was crazy because I was against so many other great, accomplished athletes.”
Elliott didn’t think he had the best shot to win because of the other nominees’ accomplishments and followings. He now feels a sense of welcomed pressure to keep repeating his successes, now as a face for adaptive sports.
Elliott said the support he received from everyone at the show was the most memorable part of the evening. He added a close second was sharing an elevator with country music star Jelly Roll.
“Having that community aspect really made it worthwhile, whether I won or lost,” Elliot said. “It almost felt like winning Best Breakthrough Athlete because the summer athletes that have more exposure in the past. … It’s a testimony to how awesome of a season I had last year.”
Elliott hopes ESPN and other outlets continue to amplify adaptive sports. He said he had no clue this would be a passion of his until he watched the 2014 Sochi Games. Elliott would like to see future awards in his category be featured as part of the main broadcast.
Elliott is in-and-out of Park City training for the 2026 Paralympics. He won the 2018 banked slalom gold, and after dealing with injuries in 2022, knows he has the game to return to the mountaintop this upcoming winter. Elliott hopes to keep winning and spreading the message of the power of adaptive sports.
“They asked me, ‘what would you say to someone who was in a similar position or has an injury or something they’re going through?’” Elliott said. “I made it clear, ‘I’m a survivor and you can be one, too.’ What that means is different for everyone, but for me that means I have a second chance to try to create a better life for myself and chase my dream, and now I get to help be a representative of our sport. It’s truly an honor, and it’s something I don’t take lightly.”