Antonio Vecchio is renowned as having one of the best work ethics of any athlete in the Australian Wheelchair Rugby high performance program.

It was his tireless efforts and desire for success that caught the eye of Australian Wheelchair Rugby coach Brad Dubberley, who selected Antonio in the National squad for the first time in mid-2009. He didn’t have to wait too long to taste success, with the squad taking out gold later that year at the Asia-Oceania Zone Championships in New Zealand.

Inspired by those he saw playing wheelchair rugby whilst in rehab recovering from a car accident, Antonio took up the sport in 2006. Before his accident, Antonio was an avid soccer player and now enjoys the physicality involved with wheelchair rugby.

With his sights set on the Wheelchair Rugby Four Nations Tournament in Sydney, he will be out to put the pressure on the more experienced and established stars in the Australian line-up.

Outside his commitments with the squad, Antonio is a motivational speaker and also studies at university. He loves motor sports and also follows the Melbourne Victory in the A-League.

Having watched the Steelers go down in the gold medal match at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, Antonio’s ultimate goal is to be there in London in 2012 when Australia attempt to go one better.