Rio 2016 Paralympics goal in sight for former Deal & Betteshanger RFC player Matt Emmerson
by Kevin
Redsull
Former Deal & Betteshanger
Rugby Club player Matt Emmerson is closing in on his goal of
competing in the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
The 26-year-old, who lives in
Hazelwood Meadow, Sandwich, was forced to give up rugby after a bad
knee injury four years ago. It left him with no feeling or control
over his left leg below the knee.
But he then took up the sport of
paratriathlon and, after winning a bronze medal in the 2011 British
Championships, returned home from the world championships in
Auckland last month with two gold medals.
Emmerson (pictured) won the men’s
TRI-5 category, which is for competitors who have a lower leg
impairment.
The event featured a 300m swim –
shortened from the normal 750m because of the cold open water
conditions – a 20k bike ride and a 5k run. Matt came home in 1hr
1min 7secs, finishing just seven seconds in front of Yan Guanter
from France.
And Emmerson, who is a trainee
accountant with Reeves and Co LLP in Canterbury, also won gold in
the aquathlon which again featured a shortened swim of 300m
followed by a 5k run.
He said: "I had been training well
beforehand and thought I might been in with a chance of a medal but
to come home with two gold medals was a total surprise and an
amazing feeling.
"I am now targeting the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil because it
will be a great experience to compete in Rio. I would like to thank
my family and friends as well as my sponsors Blueseventy, Torq
nutrition and Reeves & Co LLP for all their support."
14/11/12
- Click here for more Deal, Dover and Sandwich news...
- Click here for more news from across the county...