When pre-race nerves start to mount for Korban Best, the rising Para sprinter finds a place to relax and enjoy some music.

The 20-year-old from Southlake, Texas, typically listens to some R&B or Latin music to settle his nerves and put him in a better mindset before he lines up on the blocks for a 100- or 400-meter race.

“It gets me loose and in good spirits,” Best said. “All that good stuff.”

The pre-race music worked wonders for Best at the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Championships in March in California. In his first event at a major Para competition, Best lined up against sprinters like Noah Malone, Jaydin Blackwell and Hunter Woodhall in the men’s open 100 meters — an exhibition event that included athletes from any class.

Best finished in 11.18 seconds, good enough for third place behind only Malone and Blackwell, and just ahead of Woodhall — a trio of competitors who have combined to win six Paralympic medals and eight world championships medals

“Racing against those guys, I love doing that,” Best said.

Best turned around the next day in the men’s 100 T45-46-47 and recorded a time of 11.02 seconds to hold off Rayven Sample and Parker Harvey. Best, who was born with ulnar dysplasia in his right arm, competes in the T47 class.

Best’s breakthrough performance at nationals earned him a spot on the 30-athlete U.S. roster that will travel to Kobe, Japan, for the world championships from May 17-25.

There’s a chance that Best will perform even better in Japan than he did at nationals, as he’s been dealing with what he termed severe shin splints in his right leg that had hampered his training and kept him out of running in the 400.

He may also receive a boost from traveling and competing with Malone and Derek Loccident, two of his roommates at the Chula Vista Elite Training Center in California. While Best might need music to keep his nerves calm on the track, the newcomer constantly keeps his suitemates in a lighter mood.

“I love hanging out with them,” Best said. “I’m the funny guy. So they always love having me around.”

Loccident agreed with his roommate.

“That’s baby bro,” he said. “He just moved in a few months ago and we’ve clicked.”

On top of bonding with Best on a personal level, Loccident has been impressed with the newcomer’s ability to battle through pain and compete at a high level.

“Korban, he’s dealt with the injury, but he’s kept a positive attitude, positive mindset and he’s come out here and proved himself and been able to run some great times,” Loccident said. “He’s definitely young, new to Para, but I can see him doing well in the next few years.”

Best, who played football at Carroll Senior High School, moved to Chula Vista in January. This followed a stint at Arizona State, where he studied sports science and performance, and then at a Texas community college as he prepared to gear up for a big 2024.

Being among his peers in Chula Vista is a big step up from a training and competitive standpoint. The decision to move there started to pay off at nationals. Best then had another month to prepare with fellow elite athletes before worlds.

He’ll get some more down time after that before the U.S. Paralympic Team Trials – Track and Field, which will take place July 18-20 in Miramar, Florida. If he qualifies for the Paralympics, he’d head to Paris before the Opening Ceremony on Aug. 28.

Best said he enjoyed competing against fellow Para athletes and will relish the chance to do it a few more times this summer.

“[Nationals] means a lot because obviously I want to make the world team, but also getting to run against other Paralympic athletes too,” Best said prior to being named to the worlds roster. “Especially world champions and all that. … It definitely means a lot to be out here and run with the same disabilities in my class.”

Another positive of being in Chula Vista with other Paralympic hopefuls for Best is learning more about the business side of the sport, which helps defray the costs of travel and competitions.

“Warmup, competition and advice like how to help with sponsors, how to do all of that,” Best said. “I’m getting a lot of knowledge.”

When he isn’t on the track, Best can often be found reading. He especially enjoys books on philosophy and how to get into a better mindset, which includes understanding that he can only control what he can control.

Of course, there is a bit of dancing, as he listens to reggaeton and merengue. Not only is it a good mind-cleanser, but it helps keep his hips loose as he warms up for competition.

“I (dance) here and there,” Best said with a laugh. “If a good song comes on, you see me bust a move or if there’s a dance floor, I’m probably not leaving.”

If things go right this summer, Best won’t be leaving the international track scene for quite a while.

Steve Drumwright is a journalist based in Murrieta, California. He is a freelance contributor to usparatf.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.

‘Baby Bro’ Korban Best Has Fit In Seamlessly With U.S. Sprint Teammates

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