Jonty O'Callaghan

Jonty O'Callaghan
Jonty O'Callaghan competing in the slalom during the last day of the 2012 IPC Nor Am Cup at Copper Mountain
Personal information
NationalityAustralian
Born (1997-03-28) 28 March 1997 (age 27)
London, England
Sport
CountryAustralia
SportPara-alpine skiing
Disability classLW9-1
Event(s)Downhill
Super-G
Giant slalom slalom
Super combined
Achievements and titles
Paralympic finals2018 Winter Paralympics

Jonty O'Callaghan (born 28 March 1997)[1] is an Australian para-alpine skier who competes in downhill racing.[2] He represented Australia at the 2018 Winter Paralympics and was selected for 2022 Winter Paralympics but withdrew from the team due to a serious training accident on 17 February 2022 that led to concussion and a broken collarbone.[3][4][5]

Personal

O'Callaghan was born in London, England, with right side cerebral palsy hemiplegia.[1][6] O'Callaghan underwent 10 hours of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy a week over 15 years at the Royal Children's Hospital.[7] He attended Xavier College.[8] In 2016, he was awarded University of Melbourne Elite Athlete Program (EAP) sporting scholarship whilst studying for a Bachelor of Arts.[9]

O'Callaghan is also a descendant of Robert Hoddle, the surveyor who devised Melbourne's famed inner-city grid system.[10]

Skiing

O'Callaghan started skiing at age nine while on holiday with his family in Europe.[6] He is classified as LW9-1.[6] At the 2017 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy, he finished 18th in giant slalom standing and did not finish in the slalom standing.[6]

At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, O'Callaghan competed in five events and his best results were 22nd in the men's downhill standing and 23rd in the men's giant slalom standing.[11]

At the 2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, O'Callaghan finished 40th in the super-G standing.[12]

O'Callaghan trains at Mount Buller, Victoria, and is coached by Christian Geiger.[1] In 2018, he is a Victorian Institute of Sport scholarship athlete.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Jonty O'Callaghan". Australian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  2. ^ Shrull, Dale (9 February 2016). "Speed demons : Rush of flying down a mountain on skis motivates Australian Para-Alpine Development Team members". The Daily Sentinel. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
  3. ^ "Australian Paralympic Winter Team for PyeongChang 2018 announced". Australian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Australian Paralympic Team Named For Beijing 2022 Winter Games". Paralympics Australia. 2 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  5. ^ "Broken Bone, Broken Paralympic Dream For O'Callaghan". Paralympics Australia. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d "Jonty O'Callaghan". International Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Our families : Jonty and Katie O'Callaghan" (PDF). SOLVE @RCH ANNUAL REPORT JULY 2012 – DECEMBER 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  8. ^ "Snowsports 8". Xavier College Newsletter. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  9. ^ "2016 Elite Athlete Scholarship Recipients" (PDF). Melbourne University of Sport website. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Jonty O'Callaghan". Australian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Jonty O'Callaghan". 2018 Winter Paralympics Official site. Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  12. ^ "Jonty O'Callaghan". world Para Alpine skiing. Retrieved 5 February 2022.