Para cyclist Ieuan Edwards has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming a series of challenges over the past couple of years to earn selection for his debut appearance at the UCI Para cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, Netherlands (29 October–1 November).
Wrist surgery, a six-month stint without funding during the first half of this year and supporting his dad, Gwyn, through cancer treatment have made for a “tough couple of years” for the 23-year-old Cantabrian.
However, significant improvements under the guidance of new coach John Rastrick has helped put his career back on track. He is once again receiving funding, while his dad is doing much better having recently completed treatment.
So, for Ieuan, earning selection to compete at his first Para cycling Track World Championships understandably “means a lot.”
“It is a special moment for me and the family,” he explains. “After losing funding, I also lost my university scholarship. It has been a tough period, but I’ve backed myself. To earn selection makes all the sacrifices worth it.”
Born to a Welsh father – hence his first name – and an English mother, Ieuan was raised in Christchurch as the second eldest of three children. He acquired his disability following a motor accident at the age of three, which left him with limited function in his left arm.
Despite having one arm 10cm shorter than the other, four fingers and limited wrist movement, sport has always played a central role in his life.
From the age of five, he played club rugby for Waihora until he was 19, primarily as a back-row forward, and served as captain for one season.
“Sport is massive in our family,” he explains. “My mum and dad are both keen cyclists, my dad used to play hockey in Wales and my auntie was a good runner. As a rugby player, I was close to making rep teams, but given my disability, being a forward required me to catch the ball in the lineout which was a bit harder for me.”
Ieuan’s journey into Para sport began at the age of 10 when he was approached by Paralympian #130 Hadleigh Pierson PLY MNZM to try Para swimming.
Showing potential, he later competed for Selwyn Swimming Club, set several national records and represented New Zealand at four World Para Series events.
Yet it was Para cycling that ultimately won the battle for his affections.
He first experienced the sport alongside his older brother, Celyn, at a Have a Go session in New Plymouth. Aged 15 at the time, he impressed by setting a power record on the bike and he began riding more regularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when swimming pools were closed.
Falling in love with Para cycling, he finally decided to quit Para swimming in 2023 – a decision perhaps unusually made after crashing at the Oceania Championships in Brisbane.
“I hit someone’s wheel and my bike snapped in half,” he explains. “I had burned the skin on my arm and when I got back to New Zealand I wasn’t allowed in the pool because of the fear of infection. I thought, okay, that’s fine, I’m done with Para swimming.”
Ieuan is nevertheless fully appreciative of the key role Para swimming played in his sporting development.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities that Para swimming gave me and how it started my development as an athlete in terms of attitude, working hard, and having resilience when things go awry.”
His journey on the bike has not always been linear. He was struck by a car and broke his wrist in a cycling accident in 2024, requiring surgery. However, when the injury failed to heal properly due to a loose screw in his wrist, he was forced to undergo a second operation in July last year.
Despite this, he impressed at the 2025 Oceania Championships in Brisbane, securing a B Standard qualification mark for the UCI Para cycling Track World Championships in the Men’s Sprint C5.
In the final quarter of 2025, he made the decision to work with former Commonwealth Games cyclist John Rastrick – a move that has proved inspirational.
“It’s been a real game changer,” admits Ieuan. “He’s old school and he’s good at both keeping me humble and motivating me. He’s always very honest. He doesn’t take anything from anyone, and he’s been good at mentoring me to allow me to support myself better.”
John has also tweaked Ieuan’s training, introducing two longer rides each week alongside three erg or track sessions and three two-hour gym workouts. The changes have brought about a significant improvement.
Training on the outdoor track at Denton Park Velodrome, built for the Christchurch 1974 Commonwealth Games, Ieuan secured the A Standard for the Men’s Sprint C5 at the 2026 Oceania Championships in Cambridge and claimed the scalp of Australian Paralympic 1000m Time Trial C4-5 champion Korey Boddington.
“It was surprising but a massive boost for me,” he explains. “The only race I lost there was to Devon (Briggs), and then when I got back home, I made sure I raced against as many able-bodied riders as possible. I don’t mind going up against better people than me, because even if I lose, I learn a lot.”
Having missed only a couple of training sessions since July 2025, his consistency has started to pay dividends. He also credits his support crew with helping him through the six-month period without funding, during which he trained at the University of Canterbury gym.
Meanwhile, his HPSNZ Performance Life Coach, Ellie Bell, has continued to develop Ieuan’s confidence and given him the skills to navigate tougher periods.
Rewarded with selection for the 2026 Para cycling Track World Championships, Ieuan plans to compete in the Men’s Sprint C5, Men’s Elimination Race C5, Men’s 1000m Time Trial C5 and Team Sprint (Mixed C1-5).
But what does he hope to achieve in Apeldoorn?
“I am looking forward to putting everything I have been working on over the last eight years into practice: the technical cycling skills, tactics, recovery, strength and conditioning, mental skills and nutrition. It’s been a long-term goal to represent New Zealand on the world stage. I’m looking forward to being part of the team, doing my best and showing what I am capable of.”
Looking further ahead, the LA28 Paralympic Games is the main target for the University of Canterbury clinical exercise physiology postgraduate student.
Yet whatever unfolds, he loves the sport of Para cycling.
“I like the freedom and going anywhere I want,” explains Ieuan. “I can go out on the roads, on the track and even indoors in the garage listening to music.”
***Continue to follow the fortunes of Ieuan Edwards and other Para athletes and Paralympians on Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) channels.
