1. Curtis McGrath 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.
24 Facts About Curtis McGrath
1. 2.
Curtis McGrath grew up in Queenstown, New Zealand and attended Wakatipu High School.
3.
Curtis McGrath had a desire to become a jet pilot but became a combat engineer.
4.
Curtis McGrath was awarded a Sporting Full Blue at Griffith University whilst studying a Bachelor of Aviation Management.
5.
The explosion resulted in Curtis McGrath losing his left leg below the knee and his right leg at the knee.
6.
Curtis McGrath had shattered bones in his wrist, burnt left arm, perforated ear drums and large wound at the back of his thigh.
7.
Curtis McGrath was originally taken to an American medical base in Germany and then to Royal Brisbane Hospital for rehabilitation.
8.
Curtis McGrath's story is a remarkable feat of triumph over adversity, triumph out of tragedy.
9.
Curtis McGrath took up canoeing and swimming as part of his rehabilitation.
10.
Curtis McGrath originally competed in V1 in the TA.
11.
Curtis McGrath's aim is to compete at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, where paracanoeing makes it debut.
12.
In March 2015, due to the International Paralympic Committee deciding not run the Va'a events in the 2016 Summer Paralympics, Curtis McGrath has switched to kayak events.
13.
At the 2016 ICF Paracanoe World Championships in Duisburg, Germany, Curtis McGrath won two gold medals in Men's KL2 200m and VL2 200m.
14.
Curtis McGrath competed at 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando, Florida, where he won IR4 one minute row.
15.
Curtis 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.
Curtis McGrath was given the honour of being the Australian flag bearer at the Rio Paralympics Closing Ceremony.
17.
In February 2017, Curtis McGrath participated in a Rowing Australia Tokyo Paralympics training camp in Canberra.
18.
At the 2017 Australian Rowing Championships, Sydney International Regatta Centre, Curtis McGrath won the Trunk and Arms Men's Single Scull, in his first ever race.
19.
At the 2017 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, Curtis McGrath won gold medals in Men's KL2 200m and VL2 200m.
20.
Curtis 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.
21.
At the 2019 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Szeged, Hungary, Curtis McGrath won gold medals in the Men's KL2 200m and Men's VL3 200m.
22.
At the 2020 Summer Paralympics, Curtis McGrath won gold in both the Men's KL2 and the Men's VL3.
23.
Curtis McGrath was selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, France.
24.
Curtis McGrath is supported by Mates4Mates, branch of the RSL Queensland, a charity that provides support for injured ex-servicemen and women.