Zac Shaw Explained

Zac Shaw
Birth Name:Zachary Shaw
Preferred Name:Zac
Nationality:British
Birth Date:24 September 1995
Birth Place:Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England
Residence:Loughborough
Weight:70kg (150lb)[1]
Education:Oasis Academy Wintringham
Alma Mater:Loughborough University
Years Active:2015-present
Country: United Kingdom
Sport:Athletics
Event:100m, 4x100m Universal Relay
Disability:Visual impairment
Disability Class:T12

Zac Shaw (born 24 September 1995) is a British Paralympic visually impaired sprinter who competes in the T12 classification. At the age of nine he became afflicted with stargardt disease. He made his first Great Britain squad for the IPC Athletics World Championships in 2015[2] . Shaw made the Great Britain squad for the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris after just missing out on both the 2016 Summer Paralympics and 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Shaw has been to many major Championships throughout his career finishing 7th in the World in the T12 100m and 200m at the World Para Athletics Championships in London[3] . He competed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia's Gold Coast.[4]

Shaw’s first individual international medals came at the 2021 World Para Athletics European Championships where he won Bronze in the T12 100M and Silver in the 4X100m Universal Relay. This year ultimately ended in heartbreak again when he wasn’t selected for the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan.[5]

In 2022 Shaw went on to win Silver in the T12 100M at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.[6]

He won his first World medals in 2023 at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships. He won Bronze in the T12 100m and Silver in the 4x100m Universal Relay. He followed this up by repeating this success at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan. Shaw was also selected to co-captain the Great Britain team in Kobe with fellow teammate Ali Smith (athlete).[7] [8]

Shaw is part of the ParalympicsGB squad in Paris for the 2024 Summer Paralympics.[9]

Personal history

Shaw was born in the Lincolnshire town of Grimsby on 24 September 1995.[10] He is the youngest of six boys and his family is involved in the business industry.[1] At the age of nine Shaw started to become afflicted with stargardt disease, an inherited condition that affects his central vision, that went undiagnosed until he was 13.[11] Shaw had his secondary education at Oasis Academy Wintringham and The Grimsby Institute.[12] He went to Sheffield Hallam University and later Loughborough University after receiving a sports scholarship in 2016.[13] Outside of para-athletics, Shaw works as the Accessibility Lead for digital transformations company Cyber-Duck, a CACI business.[14]

Biography

After being inspired following the London 2012 Paralympics he began training to fulfil his dream at the 2016 Summer Paralympics held in Rio de Janeiro in November 2013 when he joined Cleethorpes Athletic Club.[15] Shaw was placed in the T12 disability classifications for those with visual impairments.[16] The following year, he began these efforts by winning the silver medal in both the 100 and 200 metres events at the 2014 UK School Games. In 2015 Shaw was internationally classified in 2015 in Berlin at the IPC Grand Prix.[17]

Later that year he made the Great Britain squad for the IPC Athletics World Championships in Doha after qualifying with a time of 11.32 seconds at the CAU Inter-County Championships at Bedford International Athletic Stadium,[18] placing sixth overall in the 100 metres (T13) with an 11.33 seconds effort which at the time was his personal best in the discipline,[19] and finishing sixth in the final of the 200 metres (T13) with a time of 22.88 seconds, another personal best.[20] Shaw trained for the World Championships by undertaking sessions in sand dunes at Cleethorpes Beach and focusing on his strengths.[15]

In 2016, Shaw kicked off his season at the Dubai IPC Grand Prix after missing the majority of winter training through a shin injury,[21] the 100 metres in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships,[22] and in the same discipline at the Barcelona Kern Pharma – Sauleda.[23] He along with 48 other para-athletes were chosen to represent Great Britain at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Grosseto in June.[24] Shaw placed seventh in the 100 metres and came fifth in the 200 metres (both in the T13 classification). In spite of these efforts, Shaw was told later in the year that he had not made the team for the Summer Paralympics. While Shaw spoke of his disappointment he said that it was "the start of a long journey."[25]

In March 2017, he was reclassified as T12 at the Dubai IPC Grand Prix,[26] and retained his title in the 100 metres discipline in the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships held the following month. Shaw competed in the London World Para Athletics Championships in July.[27] Although Shaw was targeting a medal he came fourth in his semi-final for the 100 metres (T12) and his effort resulted in him failing to progress into the final.[28] Nevertheless, he narrowly won his heat in the 200 metres (T12) which advanced him into the semi-finals with a new personal best of 22.73 seconds[29] [30] but failed to qualify for the final after placing second, behind Algeria's.Nasser Djamil.[31]

In December 2017, Shaw was announced as one of eighteen para-athletes that had been selected to represent England at the 2018 Commonwealth Games due to be held in Australia's Gold Coast.[32] He visited a Tenerife training camp in January 2018 to prepare to the Games.[33] He competed in the T12 100m at the Gold Coast, running second in his heat behind Hilton Langenhoven, but did not progress to the final.[34]

In June 2022, he was named in the 72-member squad selected to represent England in athletics at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He went on to win a Silver medal in the T12 100m in front of a packed home crowd.[35] He was a batonbearer in the Queen's Baton Relay when it visited Hull, Yorkshire, on 13 July 2022.[36]

Shaw won World medals at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris. He won Bronze in the T12 100m and Silver in the 4x100m Universal Relay. He repeated this again at the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships in Kobe, Japan. He won Bronze in the t12 100m and Silver in the 4x100m Universal Relay.[37] [38]

Zac is coached in Loughborough by former Commonwealth Games 200m champion Leon Baptiste.[39] [40]

Alongside his work for Cyber-Duck a CACI business,[41] Zac does charitable work. He is a Patron for Macular Society[42] and an ambassador for Epilepsy Action. He also sits on the athlete panels for England Athletics and UK Athletics athlete commission.[43]

In late 2023, Shaw signed his first professional contract with Puma (brand). He is currently an active Puma (brand) ambassador and athlete. Shaw is Puma (brand)’s only Para-athletics athlete within Great Britain.[44]

Zac was selected in the 33 strong Para-athletics team for Great Britain at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France.[45]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: My Journey. The Official Zac Shaw Website. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030720/http://zacshaw.co.uk/journey/. 16 February 2018.
  2. Web site: 1 November 2015 . IPC Zachary Shaw . 30 July 2024 . IPC.
  3. Web site: 1 November 2015 . IPC Zachary Shaw . 30 July 2024 . IPC.
  4. Web site: 14 December 2017 . Team England announce Para athletics team . 30 July 2024 . IPC.
  5. Web site: 26 July 2021 . shawzac Instagram post . 30 July 2024 . Instagram.
  6. Web site: 4 August 2022 . Silver Sucesos for Shaw . 30 July 2024 . British Athletics.
  7. Web site: 14 May 2024 . Smith and Shaw voted as GB co-captains for Worlds . 3 August 2024 . BBC.
  8. Web site: 13 May 2024 . Ali Smith and Zac Shaw voted as GB co-captains for Para Athletics World Championships . 3 August 2024 . British Atlheitcs.
  9. Web site: 25 July 2024 . ParalympicsGB Para athletics team confirmed . 26 July 2024 . ParalympicsGB.
  10. Web site: Living with an invisible disability: Zac Shaw. 17 February 2017. Royal National Institute of Blind People. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216032454/http://www.rnib.org.uk/rnibconnect/young-people/zac-shaw-invisible-disability. 16 February 2018.
  11. News: Cleethorpes AC's Zac Shaw targeting 2016 Paralympics. 8 August 2014. Grimsby Telegraph. 17 January 2016.
  12. Web site: Congratulations to former student Zac Shaw!. 2016. Oasis Academy Wintringham. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030242/http://www.oasisacademywintringham.org/content/congratulations-former-student-zac-shaw. 16 February 2018.
  13. Web site: Zac Shaw – Athlete Bio. British Paralympics Association. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030653/https://www.paralympic.org/asp/lib/theasp.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=513&personid=1317663&refreshauto=1. 16 February 2018.
  14. Web site: 26 July 2024 . Zac Shaw Accessibility Lead at CACI . 26 July 2024 . CACI.
  15. Web site: Doha 2015 Debutants – Men. 19 October 2015. UK Athletics. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180219091239/http://www.uka.org.uk/media/news/2015-news-page/october-2015/19-10-15-doha-debutants-men/. 19 February 2018.
  16. News: Shaw targets national call with support from the area. Dannatt. Matt. 8 August 2014. Grimsby Telegraph.
  17. News: Zac Shaw sets new PB at IPC World Athletics Championships final. Grimsby Telegraph. 17 January 2016.
  18. News: Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock wins national 100m. 5 August 2015. Royston Crow. 16 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216204515/http://www.royston-crow.co.uk/sport/paralympic-gold-medallist-jonnie-peacock-wins-national-100m-1-4182424. 16 February 2018. live.
  19. Web site: Butterfield wins gold as Weir and Lyle strike silver. 24 October 2015. British Paralympic Association. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030612/http://paralympics.org.uk/news/butterfield-wins-gold-as-weir-and-lyle-strike-silver. 16 February 2018.
  20. Web site: GB team co-captain wins T36 800m gold at the IPC Athletics World Championships. Whittington. Jessica. 26 October 2015. Athletics Weekly. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216031301/http://www.athleticsweekly.com/featured/paul-blake-retains-world-title-in-doha-35232#ieS5VGGuirCtu1hf.99. 16 February 2018.
  21. Hosts UAE claim five medals for second day in succession to reach double-digit territory at Fazza IPC Athletics Grand Prix – Dubai 2016. 20 March 2016. Hamdan Bin Mohammad Heritage Center. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216032359/http://hhc.gov.ae/en/media-center/press-release/hosts-uae-claim-five-medals-second-day-succession-reach-double-digit-territory-fazza-ipc-athletics-grand-prix-dubai-2016/. 16 February 2018.
  22. Web site: Reuben Arthur takes BUCS 100m: Records fall on day two of the BUCS Championships. Sargent. Nick. 30 April 2017. Athletics Weekly. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216031121/http://www.athleticsweekly.com/event-reports/reuben-arthur-takes-bucs-100m-gold-60455. 16 February 2018.
  23. Web site: Britain perform strongly as four world records tumble at International Paralympic Meeting. Etchells. Daniel. 14 May 2016. Inside the Games. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030225/https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1037610/britain-perform-strongly-as-four-world-records-tumble-at-international-paralympic-meeting. 16 February 2018.
  24. Web site: Eight current World Champions among 49 set for IPC European Championships. 17 May 2016. British Paralympic Association. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030452/http://rio.paralympics.org.uk/news/article/eight-current-world-champions-among-49-set-for-ipc-european-championships. 16 February 2018.
  25. Web site: Zac Shaw misses out on Rio 2016 selection. 25 August 2016. The Official Zac Shaw Website. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030927/http://zacshaw.co.uk/zac-shaw-misses-out-on-rio-2o16-selection/. 16 February 2018.
  26. Web site: Three world records fall at Dubai Grand Prix. 21 March 2017. OnTrack Magazine. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216091440/http://www.ontrackmagazine.co.uk/three-world-records-fall-at-dubai-grand-prix/. 16 February 2018.
  27. News: Zac Shaw to take the positives from World Para Athletics Championships display. Green. Trevor. 25 July 2017. Grimsby Telegraph. 15 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030219/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/other-sport/zac-shaw-take-positives-world-236444. 16 February 2018. live.
  28. Web site: British gold rush at World Para Athletics Championships. 16 July 2017. English Federation of Disability Sport. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025851/http://www.efds.co.uk/news/3097-british-gold-rush-at-world-para-athletics-championships. 16 February 2018.
  29. News: Samantha Kinghorn doubles her London 2017 medal tally with 400m bronze. Davies. Gareth. 19 July 2017. The Daily Telegraph. 15 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802000420/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-paraathletics-championships/2017/07/19/london-2017-world-para-athletics-championships-day-six-live/. 2 August 2017. live. Stone. Stuart.
  30. Web site: 2017 World Para-athletics Championships. Emons. Michael. 19 July 2017. BBC Sport. 15 February 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170803070412/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/disability-sport/40384167. 3 August 2017.
  31. News: SPORT: Zac Shaw misses out on 200m final at World Paras. 21 July 2017. 15 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216025640/http://www.lincsfm.co.uk/news/local-news/sport-zac-shaw-misses-out-on-200m-final-at-world-paras/. 16 February 2018. live. Lincs FM.
  32. News: Bain picked to represent Team England at next year's Commonwealth Games. Plummer. Matt. 11 December 2017. Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter. 15 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030130/http://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/news/15713970.Bain_picked_to_represent_Team_England_at_next_year__39_s_Commonwealth_Games/. 16 February 2018. live.
  33. News: I want to do Grimsby proud at the Commonwealth Games, says pace ace Zac Shaw. Green. Trevor. 11 December 2017. Grimsby Telegraph. 15 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030723/https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/other-sport/want-grimsby-proud-commonwealth-games-910981. 16 February 2018. live.
  34. Web site: Result - Men's T12 100m Rnd 1 - Heat 1 . 26 June 2022 . Gold Coast 2018 XXI Commonwealth Games.
  35. Web site: 22 June 2022 . Team England athletes selected for Birmingham . 14 July 2022 . Team England.
  36. Web site: 13 July 2022 . The Birmingham 2022 Queen's Baton Relay Visits Yorkshire And The Humber . 14 July 2022 . Getty Images.
  37. Web site: 12 July 2023 . Grimsby para athlete Zac Shaws joy . 30 July 2024 . Grimsby Telegraph.
  38. Web site: 28 May 2024 . British Success in Kobe . 30 July 2024 . England Athletics.
  39. Web site: 10 October 2010 . Englands Leon Baptiste wins 200m Gold . 30 July 2024 . The Guardian.
  40. Web site: 1 January 2017 . Zac Shaw profile . 30 July 2024 . British Athletics.
  41. Web site: 26 July 2024 . Zac Shaw Accessibility Lead at CACI . 26 July 2024 . CACI.
  42. Web site: 1 September 2020 . Patrons . 26 July 2024 . Macular Society.
  43. Web site: 1 June 2024 . UKA AC Zac Shaw . 26 July 2024 . UKA Athletes Commission.
  44. Web site: 2 November 2023 . Zac Shaw signs with Puma . 26 July 2024 . Instagram.
  45. Web site: 25 July 2024 . ParalympicsGB Para athletics team confirmed . 26 July 2024 . ParalympicsGB.

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