Team Toyota Athlete Spotlight: Oksana Masters and Alise Willoughby
They have their sights set on gold in Tokyo. But first, they’ll make a stop at the North America Business Update to share their inspiring stories with you
February 19, 2020
Between the two of them, Alise Willoughby and Oksana Masters already have stacks of medals. They’ve competed at the highest levels of their sport for years, with multiple appearances at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, respectively.
But – you know that Toyota principle of kaizen? The idea of continuous improvement, and always working to be better? They can relate. Rather than rest at home and count their medals (which to be honest, sounds kind of cool) – they’re both hard at work training for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
First, they’ll make a pit stop at TMNA headquarters in Plano. At Thursday’s North America Business Update, they’ll talk with Group Vice President and General Manager of the Toyota Division, Jack Hollis, about their journey to the medal podium and how they embody “Start Your Impossible” in their daily lives.
You can watch the meeting live here, but first – get to know Alise and Oksana:
Alise Willoughby
Oksana Masters
A four-time U.S. Paralympian and eight-time medalist, Masters has competed at the Paralympic Games in both the winter and summer in Nordic skiing, cycling and rowing. Masters was named the Team USA Awards 2019 Female Paralympic Athlete of the Year. As a child, Masters had both legs amputated above the knee after she was born with birth defects as a direct cause of the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in Ukraine.
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Sports: Cycling, Cross-Country Skiing (sitting), Biathlon
Paralympic Experience:
By Kristen Orsborn
But – you know that Toyota principle of kaizen? The idea of continuous improvement, and always working to be better? They can relate. Rather than rest at home and count their medals (which to be honest, sounds kind of cool) – they’re both hard at work training for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
First, they’ll make a pit stop at TMNA headquarters in Plano. At Thursday’s North America Business Update, they’ll talk with Group Vice President and General Manager of the Toyota Division, Jack Hollis, about their journey to the medal podium and how they embody “Start Your Impossible” in their daily lives.
You can watch the meeting live here, but first – get to know Alise and Oksana:
Alise Willoughby
Willoughby began racing at the age of six. She’s now the winningest rider in USA BMX history. Alise and her husband, Sam Willoughby, were chronicled in the documentary “Every Pedal with You,” which recounts their relationship during the 2014 season. When not competing Alise enjoys surfing, cooking, shopping and crafting.
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Sport: Cycling (BMX)
Olympic Experience:
Hometown: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Sport: Cycling (BMX)
Olympic Experience:
- Two-time Olympian (2012, 2016); Olympic medalist (silver)
- Rio 2016, silver
- London 2012, 12th
Oksana Masters
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Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Sports: Cycling, Cross-Country Skiing (sitting), Biathlon
Paralympic Experience:
- Paralympic Games London 2012, bronze (rowing–trunk and arms mixed double sculls)
- Paralympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, silver (12km cross-country), bronze (5km cross-country)
- Paralympic Games Rio 2016
- Paralympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, gold (1.1km cross-country and 5km cross-country), silver (6km biathlon and 12.5km biathlon), bronze (12km cross-country)
By Kristen Orsborn