Each year, the Utah Sports Commission, in partnership with the Governor, hosts the State of Sport Awards to celebrate Utah’s sports industry and recognize excellence at the high school, collegiate, professional, and Olympic and Paralympic levels. USA Climbing is proud to announce that Brayden Butler has been named this year’s Adaptive Male Athlete of the Year.

“In a lot of sports, the pursuit is mostly personal. You do it for yourself and your own goals. But Para Climbing feels different,” Butler told us. “Every step forward you make pushes the ceiling of what people believe is possible for an entire community. That’s what makes it so meaningful to me. It’s not just about my own performance. It’s about showing what can be done and helping move that potential farther and farther forward.”

Following a motorcycle accident as a child, Butler suffered a stroke that caused left neglect, a neurological condition that affects his left side. Since then, the 19-year-old Salt Lake City local has spent four seasons representing the United States at international Para Climbing events in the RP2 category, which is limited to athletes with neurological and physical disabilities.

Butler recently enjoyed a breakthrough competition season, achieving a flurry of firsts on the global stage. In May 2025, Butler secured his first gold at the IFSC Para Climbing World Cup in Salt Lake City. Just one month later, he won his first World Cup silver at the Para Climbing World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria. Then, in September, he became World Champion at the IFSC Para Climbing World Championships in Seoul, Korea.

Earlier this month, he took silver at USA Climbing’s Para Climbing National Championships, securing his spot on the 2026 National Team once again.

The 14th Annual State of Sport Awards will take place on April 8, celebrating the achievements of Butler and other Utah athletes.