Games type: Summer Paralympic Games
Games year: Arnhem 1980
Medal won: Silver
Para sport: Para athletics, Para swimming
Gender: Male
Date of Birth27 November 1955
OccupationHigh Performance Throws coach
Impairment (Disability)Amputee

As a teenager, John hoped to become an All Black. Following a motorcycle accident, another amputee encouraged him to become New Zealand’s first amputee Paralympian.

John was a member of the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games Team and competed in Para athletics and Para swimming. John then moved to Australia and competed at a further 4 Paralympic Games, this time in gold and green.

He later returned to New Zealand and is now High Performance Para Athletics Throws Coach developing Paralympians of the future. 

John officially received his ‘numbered’ Paralympic pin as part of The Celebration Project in Auckland in May 2019.

Paralympic results

1980Arnhem 1980 Paralympic GamesSilver - Men's High Jump C