Takeuchi Team Member Ruben Ramirez Brings Home Special Olympics Gold

Takeuchi team member Ruben Ramirez knows a thing or two about competition—and about bringing home some hardware. Ruben, a warehouse receiver and handler at Takeuchi’s Track Loader Assembly Plant in Moore, South Carolina, has been with Takeuchi for three years. During that time, he’s built a reputation as a hardworking, dependable teammate who’s always willing to lend a hand and share what he knows.

Image

Those same qualities have also helped Ruben succeed as a Special Olympics athlete. Diagnosed with autism at age 19, he recently represented South Carolina at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota, competing in bocce. Ruben returned home with a gold medal in the Unified Team competition and a silver medal in Mixed Doubles, along with a fifth-place finish in Singles. For Ruben, however, that fifth-place finish may mean just as much as the medals. “I was proud of that one because it was all me,” he said of the Singles competition.

Bocce has been a part of Ruben’s life for many years. His aunt, who is also his coach and Unified partner, introduced him to the sport, and he has continued competing because of both his love for the game and the relationships he has built through Special Olympics. “I like having fun and getting the chance to play against great competitors,” Ruben said.

This year’s Minnesota games marked Ruben’s second trip to the Special Olympics. One of his favorite memories happened before the competition even began. During the opening ceremony, Ruben and the rest of Team South Carolina entered the stadium to cheers from the crowd as part of an event broadcast on ESPN. Ruben admits there have been moments when he considered giving up the sport. But walking into that stadium that day changed something. Hearing the crowd and experiencing the excitement of the opening ceremony reminded him that he was there for a reason. 

 

Image

Special Olympics has also given Ruben opportunities beyond competition. He appreciates that the organization supports athletes in many areas of their lives. During the USA Games, athletes had access to health and wellness resources, and Ruben participated in a Healthy Minds program focused on emotional well-being. It reinforced a message that is important to him: we all have something to contribute.

Back home, Ruben brings that same determination and team-first attitude to his work at Takeuchi where he helps receive and handle incoming materials. He’s developed knowledge of multiple processes during his tenure, and that versatility allows him to contribute in different areas as needed and help keep operations moving efficiently.

Ruben is also willing to share what he has learned. He takes the time to help coworkers solve problems and steps up when his team needs him. His reliability and strong work ethic have made him someone his teammates can count on, while his sense of humor helps keep things fun along the way.

For Ruben, that sense of teamwork goes both ways. When asked what he enjoys most about working at Takeuchi, his answer is simple: “the people.”

And Ruben’s competitive days aren't over. Ruben is already looking forward to the Special Olympics State Games this fall—and he's especially happy they'll be playing bocce on regular grass this time instead of artificial turf. His bigger goal is even more ambitious—someday, he hopes to represent the United States at the Special Olympics World Games.

As for where Ruben keeps all those medals? Don't expect to find them hanging prominently on the wall just yet. He keeps them carefully wrapped and stored at his home. After years of competition, he estimates he has accumulated somewhere around 10 pounds of medals.

Maybe it's time for a display case.

Congratulations, Ruben, on an incredible accomplishment. Your Takeuchi teammates are proud to have a gold medalist—and an even better teammate—among us.