Oksana Masters is one of the most inspiring athletes in the world. Born in Ukraine in 1989, her early life began with challenges that would break most people, but not her. She was born with several physical disabilities caused by radiation exposure from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
Yet, instead of giving up, she became a symbol of strength, winning medals in multiple Paralympic sports and representing Team USA with pride. Her story is one of courage, hope, and never giving up, no matter how hard life gets.
Early Life and Adoption
Oksana Oleksandrivna Masters was born in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, on June 19, 1989. She spent her first seven years in a Ukrainian orphanage. Her life there was incredibly difficult because she was often raped and beaten by men. She was born with missing bones in her legs, webbed fingers, and no thumbs, all caused by radiation, and this caused her parents to abandon her after her birth.
But her fate changed when Gay Masters, an American speech therapist, adopted her in 1997. Who loved and encouraged her to build the confidence she needed to see herself as strong, not broken. Moving to the U.S.A. gave her a second chance. She started school, learned English, and had several surgeries, including the amputation of both legs so she could use prosthetics.
Wikipedia Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oksana Aleksandrovna Masters |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1989 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 36 years old |
| Place of Birth | Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Ukrainian-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Height | 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) |
| Weight | Approximately 115 lbs (52 kg) |
| Disabilities / Birth Defects | Missing weight-bearing bones in legs, webbed fingers, no thumbs, six toes on each foot — caused by Chernobyl radiation exposure |
| Adoptive Mother | Gay Masters |
| Residence | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Education | University of Louisville |
| Occupation | Professional Paralympic Athlete, Motivational Speaker |
| Sports | Rowing, Cross-Country Skiing, Biathlon, Cycling |
| Paralympic Debut | 2012 London Paralympics (Rowing) |
| Total Paralympic Medals | 17 (8 Gold, 8 Silver, 1 Bronze) |
| Major Achievements | Multi-sport Paralympic Champion; Most Decorated U.S. Winter Paralympian |
| Boyfriend / Fiancé | Aaron Pike (Paralympic Athlete) |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | $2 Million |
| Official Website | oksanamastersusa.com |
| @oksanamasters |
Career
Oksana Masters began cross-country skiing immediately following her Paralympic rowing medals in 2012. She won bronze in the 5 km Nordic skiing competition and silver in the 12 km Nordic skiing competition in Sochi in 2014. She also finished fourth and eighth in biathlon competitions. In spite of her injuries, Oksana won her first Paralympic gold in the 1.5-kilometer sprint classic skiing event at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics. In that same week, she won two biathlon medals and three cross-country skiing medals. She also added bronze in the 12 km sitting skiing and another gold in the 5 km skiing.
She took first place in the 6 km sitting biathlon in Beijing in 2022. Oksana has won two green World Cup medals and a bronze at the UCI Para-Cycling Worlds. She placed fourth in the road race and fifth in the time trial at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. She took home the gold in both the H5 road race and the H4-5 time trial in Tokyo in 2021. She won the road race by pulling three riders in the last kilometer.
Oksana has nine gold, six silver, and four bronze medals from the 2025 Paralympic Games. She has won 28 medals at the World Championship as well. The Hard Parts: A Story of Courage and Triumph is the title of her book. Spirit magazine, Sports Illustrated, and an Apple video about how she uses iOS apps have all featured her life. She helps Ukraine, talks to children, and demonstrates to the world that adversity can lead to success.
Height, Weight, and Fitness Routine
Oksana Masters stands about 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighs around 115 pounds. Her physique is a perfect mix of power and endurance. Since her sports rely heavily on upper-body strength, she trains daily with weights, rowing machines, and endurance handcycling.
Her workouts often last hours, and she focuses not just on physical training but also on mental preparation, using meditation and visualization to stay focused. Her diet includes lean proteins, vegetables, and recovery smoothies that fuel her intense training sessions.
Net Worth
Oksana Masters is estimated to have a net worth of $2 million as of 2025. Her earnings are derived from speaking engagements, sponsorships, and Paralympic victories. She has collaborated with well-known companies like Visa, Toyota, and Nike, leveraging her position to advocate for empowerment and inclusivity.
She also makes money by giving motivational speeches and sharing her story with nonprofits, businesses, and educational institutions worldwide. Her impact goes well beyond sports; she is an inspiration to anyone who has persevered in the face of adversity.
Oksana and Aaron Pike: A Love Story
Behind every great athlete is often a great partner, and for Oksana, that person is Aaron Pike. Aaron is also a Paralympian, competing in biathlon and wheelchair racing. The two met while training for Team USA and instantly connected over their shared experiences.
They became inseparable both on and off the field, encouraging each other through the highs and lows of elite sports. In 2024, they got engaged, celebrating a love built on mutual respect, humor, and teamwork. They often share glimpses of their life together on social media, showing fans that love, like sport, takes dedication and balance.
Paralympic Success and Achievements
Oksana’s list of achievements is long and historic. She has represented the United States in rowing, skiing, biathlon, and cycling, making her one of the most versatile athletes in the world.
- 2012 (London): Bronze in Rowing
- 2014 (Sochi): Silver and Bronze in Skiing
- 2018 (PyeongChang): 2 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
- 2020 (Tokyo): 2 Gold in Cycling
- 2022 (Beijing): 3 Gold, 4 Silver
Her total: 17 Paralympic medals, 8 gold, 8 silver, and 1 bronze. Each medal represents not just victory but survival and perseverance.
Awards
Oksana has received several major honors, including:
- Team USA Female Paralympian of the Year (2018 and 2020)
- ESPY Award for Best Female Athlete with a Disability
- National Geographic’s “33 Women Who Changed the World” (2025)
These awards recognize not just her athletic talent but her leadership and advocacy for people with disabilities. She uses her fame to shine a light on important issues and to make the world more inclusive for everyone.
FAQs
1. Who is Oksana Masters?
Oksana Masters is a Paralympic athlete from the United States. She was born in Ukraine and has won many medals in rowing, skiing, cycling, and biathlon.
2. What disabilities does Oksana Masters have?
She was born with birth defects caused by the Chernobyl disaster, including missing bones in her legs and no thumbs. Both of her legs were later amputated, but she uses prosthetics to compete.
3. How many medals has Oksana Masters won?
Oksana Masters has won 17 Paralympic medals, 8 gold, 8 silver, and 1 bronze across both the Summer and Winter Paralympic Games.
4. Who is Oksana Masters’ boyfriend?
Her boyfriend (and fiancé) is Aaron Pike, who is also a Paralympic athlete. They met while training for Team USA and often compete at the same events.
5. What is Oksana Masters’ net worth?
As of 2025, her estimated net worth is around $2 million, earned through sports, sponsorships, and motivational speaking.
NEXT POST: Who is Garbie Carter? Bio, Age, Net Worth, Height, Weight, Boyfriend and More
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings