A stroke at birth left Wade McMahon with hemiplegia, but living a life with no regrets has turned the shot put expert into a world champion athlete.   

Having most recently won bronze in the 4x100m relay at the 2011 IPC World Championships and placing fourth in the javelin, Wade first represented Australia in 2002, bursting onto the scene with a bronze medal at the 2002 FESPIC Games in the 4x400m relay. He then went on to receive the 2006 Sports Achievement Award after impressing at the 2006 World Championships.

Leading up to the Beijing Games, Wade aimed to finish in the top three for each of his events. He didn’t quite get there, but he did manage to complete his best series of throws at the Games, gaining valuable experience in competing at such an elite level. The highlight for Wade came in the javelin where he finished in fourth place, missing out on medaling by a whisker.

Wade hopes that with more participation and achievements made by the Paralympic team, the Australian community will increasingly become supporters of disability sport.

Outside of the demands of competing in both track and field events, Wade enjoys motorbike riding and watching American television show CSI. He has already completed his Certificate III in childcare and currently works in the industry. While he is now focused intensely on sporting aspirations, he is looking forward to retiring and settling down with a family in the years to come.