Five-time Para-triathlon world champion and legend of the sport Bill Chaffey first began training as an able-bodied athlete. It was while preparing for an Ironman Triathlon in 2005 that he was hit by a truck from behind, breaking four vertebrae, both his elbows and fracturing his pelvis.

In trying to come to terms with his paraplegia, Bill reached out to Paralympic silver medallist John Maclean, who made history when he became the first ever wheelchair athlete to complete the Hawaiian Ironman Triathlon. Inspired by John to begin competing in Para-sport, Bill learned to swim with one leg, bought a racing wheelchair, and later a handcycle.

Following a dominant performance in the 2008 Gold Coast Half Ironman Triathlon, Bill was selected to represent Australia at the 2009 ITU World Triathlon Series on the Gold Coast. There he won his first ever world title, a result he repeated in 2011, 2012, 2013 …

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Date of birth
9 October 1975
Sport
Para-triathlon
Past Paralympic Games

Rio 2016

How acquired
Car accident
Residence
Bilambil Heights, NSW
Occupation
Police officer
Sport career highlights

Placing second in the 2013 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

Greatest sporting moments

Achieving a come-from-behind win at the 2013 ITU World Triathlon Series in London, England

Heroes/role models

Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG

Disciplines

  • Sport: Para-triathlon Classification: PTHC2

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