Blake Cochrane loves being part of a team and loves Australia, so by combining the two, his dream has come true. Describing himself as trustworthy, outgoing and courageous, Blake thrives on motivating people and loves to keep his team mates’ spirits up by finding the bright side of life.

He sees representing Australia at the Arafura Games in 2007 as one of the proudest moments of his life and one that could only be topped by winning a silver medal in the 100m breaststroke at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Blake comes from a family with a history and diversity in sport participation. He has played soccer for over 11 years and school boy Aussie Rules, loves to go scuba diving and has a keen developing passion for skiing. He is currently completing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Queensland, due for completion in 2014. Blake sees himself becoming a sports scientist or PE teacher down the track.

In all sports, Blake seeks to encourage teammates with the intention to keep every moment interesting. He has a good sense of humour and his mixture of fun and focus is well received; he brings a little respite to the sometimes intense training sessions and challenges of competition.

Since Beijiing 2008, Blake has performed strongly, indicating he is ready for a successful Paralympic Games in London. He blitzed the field at the 2011 Para Pan Pacific Championships in Canada, winning five gold medals and breaking the world record in the 100m breaststroke.

He was one of the stars of the 2009 World Short Course Championships, winning two gold medals and one silver. 2010 was an especially prolific year for Blake as he won gold in the 100m breaststroke at the World Championships, before snaring a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. In 2011 he won Swimming Australia’s Swimmer with a Disability of the Year Award.

Blake sees Beijing as just the beginning of his career and is aiming for gold at London 2012. He is intent on swimming at least until the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.