In only his second effort at the sport, Trundle resident John Wheele exceeded even his own expectations to take out top spot in his division at the World Paratriathlon event at the International Regatta Centre in Penrith.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After finishing sixth out of 87 competitors in the Open Mens and second in his age division at the triathlon in Nowra, John went into his second event confident of a good result at the paratriathlon in Penrith.
He finished first out of nine competitors in PT4 - for athletes with disabilities ranging from head injuries to single amputees.
John was born with a congenital birth condition which has him missing his right hand.
He works at the Aurelia Metals mine at Nymagee as a process technician and has been living in Trundle for the past five years with his family.
It was with them that he first became interested in triathlon.
“My wife Jacqui and I started training for triathlons with our daughter Bianca who is in Year 12 at Red Bend Catholic College,” he said.
“Bianca made the Combined Catholic Colleges team and we thought it was something the family could get involved in.
“I was very happy with how I went in Nowra, but still surprised myself in Penrith.
“To finish so high in my first two events has been a fantastic result,” he said.
The Nowra event was held over a course which involved a 450 metre swim, a 15 kilometre bike ride and a four kilometre run.
John did the course in one hour and one minute.
Penrith was a longer course which featured a 750 metre swim, 20 kilometre bike ride and a five kilometre run which John completed in one hour and 17 minutes, only 16 minutes more than the markedly shorter Nowra course.
John hopes to qualify for the World Championships in two years time and then the Olympics a further two years after that.
He and his family train at least three days a week when John is not at work.
Each day can consist of 50 kilometre bike ride, a five to nine kilometre run, and a two kilometre swim.
Parkes Shire Council extended the opening time of the Trundle pool so John could continue his training leading up to Penrith.
He rides an altered bike so he can change gears with his left hand, but John said his equipment is not up to scratch with that of his fellow competitors.
“I am hoping to get some sponsorship from anyone who will come on board to help with costs,” John explained.
“My bike is not even a triathlon bike and a new one will cost $6,000.
“On top of that there is travel expenses as well.
“I’m looking to do another couple of events next summer and hope to have a few sponsors before then,” he said.
