Jake
Lappin

Jake Lappin is one of Australia’s premier wheelchair racers.

He first made his presence felt internationally at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, where he was one of three Australians to qualify for the men’s 1500m T54 final. Competing alongside racing royalty Kurt Fearnley and Richard Colman, who went on to win the gold and silver medal, Jake pushed the 10-man field all the way. Ultimately, finishing in seventh place and with a target on his back ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

In London, Jake placed seventh in his heat of the men’s 800m T54 and was disqualified from the men’s 400m T54. As disappointing as this experience was for Jake, he was a better athlete for it, and went on to achieve selection to the Australian teams for the 2013 and 2015 World Championships.

With the support of his long-time coach Fred Periac, Jake looked set to reach new heights at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Unfortunately, fate had other plans, and after two strong performances in the men’s 400m T54 and men’s 1500m T54, Jake was struck down by illness and forced to withdraw from his final event, the men’s 800m T54.

He has had as unlucky a start to his Paralympic career as any, but at 27, there will still be dozens of opportunities for Jake to make his mark. Last year, he won a bronze medal in front of a home crowd at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and is now finalising his preparation for what he hopes to be his third Paralympic campaign.