Curtis McGrath explained

Curtis McGrath
Headercolor:green
Textcolor:yellow
Fullname:Curtis Wain McGrath
Nationality:Australian
Birth Date:31 March 1988
Birth Place:New Zealand
Sport:Paracanoe

Curtis Wain McGrath, (born 31 March 1988) is an Australian paracanoeist and former soldier. He took up canoeing competitively after both of his legs were amputated as a result of a mine blast while serving with the Australian Army in Afghanistan. McGrath won consecutive gold medals in the Men's KL2 at the 2016 Rio and 2020 Tokyo Paralympics,[1] and has won ten gold medals and a silver at ICF Paracanoe World Championships between 2014 and 2019.

Personal

McGrath was born in New Zealand on 31 March 1988.[2] His parents are Kimberley and Paul, and he has two siblings – Brent and Sophia.[3] He grew up in Queenstown, New Zealand and attended Wakatipu High School.[3] As a ten year old, his farming family moved to the Western Australian Wheatbelt but then returned to Queenstown.[4] In his last year at high school, he was awarded the Bruce Grant Memorial Trophy for Outdoor Education. His family later relocated to Brisbane, Queensland.[5] McGrath had a desire to become a jet pilot but became a combat engineer.[4]

McGarth was awarded a Sporting Full Blue at Grffith University whilst studying a Bachelor of Aviation Management.[6]

In 2024, he was appointed to the Paralympics Australia Board.[7]

Military career

McGrath joined the Australian Army in 2006. On 23 August 2012, as a combat engineer with the 6th Engineer Support Regiment, he was badly injured by an Improvised explosive device during operations in Khas Urozgan District, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. The explosion resulted in McGrath losing his left leg below the knee and his right leg at the knee. He had shattered bones in his wrist, burnt left arm, perforated ear drums and large wound at the back of his thigh. He was originally taken to an American medical base in Germany and then to Royal Brisbane Hospital for rehabilitation. Within three months, he was walking on prosthetic legs.

At the 2016 Australian Paralympic Team Launch in Sydney, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull made the following comments about McGrath:

Sporting career

Prior to his military injury, McGrath was a keen white water canoeist, rugby player and swimmer. He took up canoeing and swimming as part of his rehabilitation. His first disability sport experience was at the United States Marine Games in San Diego where he won three gold medals in swimming.[3] In devoting his energy to sport, McGrath commented: "In sport, you are getting your body to do things you don't do every day. It helps your body to adjust more easily to everyday things."[3]

In October 2013, McGrath, with his father Paul, participated in a 1,000 km paddle from Sydney to Queensland to raise funds for the Mates4Mates.[8]

McGrath took up paracanoe in December 2013.[9] He originally competed in V1 (Va'a Outrigger Canoe) in the TA (Trunk and arms category). In 2014, he won the Australian and Oceania Championships in V1 200 m, 500 m and 1000 m events.[2] He is now classified as a KL2 paracanoeist. Almost two years after losing his legs in Afghanistan, he won the gold medal in the V1 200 TA event in world record time at the 2014 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Moscow, Russia. After winning the gold medal McGrath commented: "Even when I was on the stretcher getting carried to the medevac chopper I said I was going to be in the Paralympics, and this is the first step".[10] His aim is to compete at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, where paracanoeing makes it debut. In September 2014, he captained the Australian Team at inaugural Invictus Games in London, and won a bronze medal in swimming and made the archery final.

In March 2015, due to the International Paralympic Committee deciding not run the Va'a events in the 2016 Summer Paralympics, McGrath has switched to kayak events.[11] At the 2015 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, in Milan, Italy, he won a gold medal in the Men's V–1 200 m VL2 and a silver medal in the Men's K–1 200 m VL2. After winning the silver medal in the Paralympic Games event, McGrath said: "This is a whole new ball game for me, the boats are a lot faster, so I had to learn pretty quick".[12]

At the 2016 ICF Paracanoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany, McGrath won two gold medals in Men's KL2 200m and VL2 200m. In winning the Men's KL2 200m, a Paralympic Games event, he defeated six time world champion Markus Swoboda.[13] [14]

McGrath competed at 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, where he won IR4 one minute row. He also competed in swimming events.[15]

McGrath fulfilled his goal of winning the Men's KL2 200 m at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in a Paralympic record time of 42.190.[16] It was Australia's first gold medal in paracanoe at the Paralympics.[16] He was given the honour of being the Australian flag bearer at the Rio Paralympics Closing Ceremony.

In February 2017, McGrath participated in a Rowing Australia Tokyo Paralympics training camp in Canberra. At the 2017 Australian Rowing Championships, Sydney International Regatta Centre, McGrath won the Trunk and Arms (TA) Men's Single Scull, in his first ever race.[17]

At the 2017 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Račice, Czech Republic, McGrath won gold medals in Men's KL2 200m and VL2 200m.[18] McGrath won gold medals in the Men's KL2 200m and Men's VL3 200m at the 2018 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal. It was eight world championship gold medal.[19] At the 2019 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Szeged, Hungary, McGrath won gold medals in the Men's KL2 200m and Men's VL3 200m.[20]

At the 2020 Summer Paralympics,[21] McGrath won gold in both the Men's KL2 and the Men's VL3. In the Men's KL2, McGrath came third in his Heat, and first in his Semi-Final. He won the final in a time of 41.426. In the Men's VL3 he was unbeatable in both his Heat and in the Final. His time in the Final was 50.537.[22]

He has been selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France.[23] In the lead up to the Paralympics, McGrath won gold and bronze medals at the 2024 ICF World Para Canoe Championships in Szeged, Hungary.[24]

McGrath lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland and trains on the water at Varsity Lakes. He was originally coached by Andrea King.[9] In 2021, he was coached by Shaun Caven and Guy Power. McGrath is supported by Mates4Mates, branch of the RSL Queensland, a charity that provides support for injured ex-servicemen and women.[2]

Recognition

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Champions headline first Australian Paralympic Canoe Team. Australian Paralympic Committee News, 16 June 2016. 16 June 2016.
  2. Web site: Curtis McGrath. Australian Canoeing website. 22 August 2014.
  3. News: McMurran. Alistair. Paralympics: McGrath maintains positive approach. 22 August 2014. Otago Daily News. 25 Sep 2013.
  4. News: Sygall. David. I looked down and saw my legs were gone: Rio-bound kayaker Curtis McGrath. 13 September 2015. The Age. 12 September 2015.
  5. News: Chandler . Phillip . Queenstown bomb blast soldier to get prosthetic legs . 22 August 2014 . Mountain Scene . 8 Sep 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160815195145/http://www.scene.co.nz/queenstown-bomb-blast-soldier-to-get-prosthetic-legs/302922a1.page . 15 August 2016 .
  6. Web site: Dobson . Ben . 2023-11-16 . Cass makes a big splash at Griffith Sports Blues Awards . 2023-11-19 . news.griffith.edu.au . en-EN.
  7. Web site: 2024-04-01 . New PA Directors Join Green And Gold Runway To Brisbane Via Paris Paralympics Australia . 2024-04-06 . www.paralympic.org.au . en-AU.
  8. News: Atfield. Cameron. Wounded war veterans kayak from Sydney to Brisbane. 6 September 2018. Brisbane Times. 9 November 2013.
  9. News: Greenwood. Emma. Former soldier and Gold Coast Paralympian Curtis McGrath determined to win gold in Rio after losing legs in Afghanistan. 22 August 2014. Gold Coast Bulletin. 12 May 2014.
  10. News: Foxsports. Curtis McGrath is Australia's most inspiring world champion. 22 August 2014. Courier Mail. 7 August 2014.
  11. News: Shalala. Amanda. Para-kayaker Curtis McGrath aiming for podium at Rio Paralympics to fulfil promise made after Afghan IED incident. ABC News. 18 March 2015 . 19 March 2015.
  12. Web site: REynolds wins Australia's first gold at World Championships. Australian Canoeing News, 21 August 2015. 23 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150821062435/http://canoe.org.au/2015/08/21/reynolds-wins-australias-first-gold-at-world-championships/. 21 August 2015. dead. dmy-all.
  13. Web site: McGrath snaps Swoboda's Worlds winning streak. International Paralympic Committee website. 19 May 2016.
  14. Web site: McGrath has bumper day. International Canoe Federation website. 19 May 2016 . 19 May 2016.
  15. Web site: Jamison. Debbie. Former Queenstown soldier Curtis McGrath wins gold at Invictus Games. Stuff.nz.com. 11 May 2016 . 19 May 2016.
  16. Web site: Curtis McGrath . Rio Paralympics Official site . 16 September 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160922230101/https://www.rio2016.com/en/paralympics/athlete/curtis-mcgrath . 22 September 2016 .
  17. Web site: Para-rowing a major highlight of SIRR 2017. Rowing Australia website. 3 April 2017.
  18. Web site: MCGRATH ADDS ANOTHER GOLD TO HIS GROWING COLLECTION. Canoeing Australia website. 27 August 2017 . 2 September 2017.
  19. Web site: McGrath Makes It Eight World Championship Titles . Paddle Australia website . 26 August 2018 . 27 August 2018.
  20. Web site: Australia Finishes Success World Champs With More Tickets To Tokyo. 26 August 2019. Paddle Australia website. 26 August 2019.
  21. Web site: 5 June 2021. Australia Names Experienced Para-Canoe Squad For Tokyo. live. 6 June 2021. Paralympics Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20210605010240/https://www.paralympic.org.au/2021/06/australia-names-experienced-para-canoe-squad-for-tokyo/ . 5 June 2021 .
  22. Web site: Australian Paralympic Team for Tokyo 2021 . 2022-06-28 . The Roar . en-US.
  23. Web site: 2024-04-13 . Powerhouse Trio First Australian Athletes Confirmed For Paris Paralympics Paralympics Australia . 2024-04-14 . www.paralympic.org.au . en-AU.
  24. Web site: 2024 ICF CANOE SPRINT WORLD CUP AND PARACANOE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS Digicorp Results . 2024-05-12 . results.szeged2024.com.
  25. Web site: Cronau wins top honour at state awards . Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association News, 21 November 2014 . 22 November 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129053508/http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/news/589-cronau-wins-top-honour-at-state-awards . 29 November 2014 .
  26. Web site: 2014 Australian Canoeing award winners. Australian Canoeing website. 24 August 2015.
  27. News: Malone. Paul. Decorated Gold Coast sailor Mat Belcher wins Queensland Sport Star of the Year award. 24 August 2015. Courier Mail. 1 December 2014.
  28. Web site: Finalists named for Australia's premier sporting awards. Australian Sports Commission website. 24 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150727025146/http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/ais_news/story_617294_finalists_named_for_australias_premier_sporting_awards. 27 July 2015. dead.
  29. Web site: 2015 Australian Canoeing Award Winners. Australian Canoeing website. 15 November 2015. 17 November 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151117020012/http://canoe.org.au/2015/11/15/2015-australian-canoeing-award-winners/. dead.
  30. News: Rio 2016: Kurt Fearnley misses final Paralympics gold, Australia wins rugby title. 18 September 2016. ABC News. 19 September 2016.
  31. Web site: 'The Don' 2016 Finalists Announced. Sport Australia Hall of Fame website. 22 September 2016 . 27 September 2020.
  32. Web site: 2016 Australian Canoeing Award Winners. Australian Canoeing website. 15 November 2016. 16 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116105443/http://canoe.org.au/2016/11/14/2016-australian-canoeing-award-winners/. dead.
  33. Web site: Cate Campbell takes out top honour at Queensland Sport awards. Q. 8 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220092556/http://www.qsport.org.au/_dbase_upl/MediaRelease-9December2016.pdf. 20 December 2016. dead.
  34. Web site: OAM Final Media Notes (M-R) . Governor General of Australia . 26 January 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171030003019/https://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/ad/ad2017/slkh83xzcb/OAM%20Final%20Media%20Notes%20(M-R).pdf . 30 October 2017 . dead .
  35. Web site: McGrath wins World Paddle top gong. Australian Paralympic Committee website. 20 February 2017.
  36. Web site: Fox and Mcgrath win top gongs at Australian canoeing awards. Canoeing Australia website. 5 November 2017 . 6 November 2017.
  37. Web site: Best of the Sport Jessica Fox and Curtis McGrath Win Top Gongs at Paddle Australia Awards . Paddle Australia website . 4 November 2018 . 4 November 2018.
  38. Web site: Fox and McGrath Win Top Gongs at 2019 Paddle Australia Awards. 10 November 2019. Paddle Australia website. 17 November 2019.
  39. Web site: Barty Party continues at the AIS Awards. 10 December 2019. Sport Australia. 11 December 2019. 10 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191210213902/https://www.sportaus.gov.au/media-centre/news/barty-party-continues-at-the-ais-awards. dead.
  40. Web site: 9 June 2022 . De Rozario And Tudhope Earn Top Honours at Paralympics Australia Awards . 10 June 2022 . Paralympics Australia.
  41. Web site: Queensland scoop pool at State Sport Awards. live. 27 November 2021. QSport website. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127032554/https://www.qsport.org.au/news/queensland-scoop-pool-at-state-sport-awards/ . 27 November 2021 .
  42. Web site: 2 December 2021. Fox & McGrath win National Paddler of the Year Award. live. 3 December 2021. Paddle Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202063344/https://paddle.org.au/2021/12/02/fox-mcgrath-win-national-paddler-of-the-year-award/ . 2 December 2021 .
  43. Web site: 28 August 2023 . Superb Athletes And Fierce Advocates: Australia's Paris 2024 Co-Captains Named . 28 August 2023 . Paralympics Australia.

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