I suppose it would be fair to say I am predominately known for my swimming achievements at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, where I won the SM4 150m individual medley in a world record time, six seconds a head of my nearest rival. The result was a complete surprise to not only myself but also my family, coach and competitors. Not bad for a guy from Whangarei, two hours north of Auckland.

I grew up in a small farming community where I was the youngest of four children. My parents, Ross and Theresa, still live in Whangarei and huge credit must go to them for the way I have turned out. Having a son born with a quadruple limb deficiency would have been hard for them but I am forever thankful for the support and freedom they have given me over my first 21-years.

My swimming career began in 2001 when I was selected as part of a junior team heading to Australia. I was at junior level until 2006 when I competed at my first world championships in South Africa. I went over there as a cocky 16-year-old boy and returned demoralised. After those world championships I nearly quit competitive sport all together. Having gone over there thinking I was better than I actually was, I was soon given a wake up call. My mother talked me into continuing training until Paralympic year to see what happened.

In my early years I remember a much younger and slimmer Curtis Palmer trying to get me to play wheelchair rugby. At the time I thought it was a bit rough because I was so young and shy. In 2007 I took up Curtis' advice and began training with the Auckland team – thanks to dad for driving me the four hour trip. Since then I have fallen in love with the sport.

No longer young and shy, in 2008 I moved to Auckland to study a bachelor of communication studies at AUT University – where I am currently in my final year, majoring in journalism.

Once I moved to Auckland I began taking sport seriously and recognising the future that it held. Since then I have been a regular part of the Wheelblacks training squad and last year made the move to become a fully pledged Wheelblack. It wasn't the dream start I had hoped for but never-the-less competing at your first world champs against top level athletes was inspiring. I'm now doing both swimming and wheelchair rugby at the top level. I am considered a leader within the Paralympic New Zealand swim team and I plan on bringing those leadership qualities into my wheelchair rugby career.

I have just returned from the Bernd Best tournament in Germany with Te Waka Hou, a New Zealand development team. Whilst the results weren't great, this was the stepping stone towards Oceania at the end of the year and the Paralympics in 2012.

My entire sporting career I have been thankful for any support I receive. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank Melrose for their support and reassure them that their time and energy spent on me will not go to waste.

Kia kaha and go the Wheelblacks!

Ina te mahi, he rangitira – what you put in is what you get out.

• 2010 Swimming – World Championship gold medal – 150m individual medley
• 2010 Wheelchair rugby – 9th place at World Championships
• 2009 Swimming – World Short Course Championship gold medal and world record – 150m individual medley
• 2008 Swimming – Beijing Paralympics – Gold medal world record in the 150m individual medley
• 2007 Wheelchair rugby – started playing
• 2006 Swimming – World Championships placed 8th
• 2001 Swimming – started swimming