Curtis McGrath: Meet the War Veteran From Afghanistan who is All Set to Compete at the Tokyo Paralympics

Curtis McGrath: Meet the War Veteran From Afghanistan who is All Set to Compete at the Tokyo Paralympics

Curtis McGrath

War veteran Curtis McGrath is all set to compete at the Tokyo Paralympics– exactly nine years after his service came to an end in Afghanistan. The recent news of Taliban taking control over Afghanistan has brought a new meaning of Tokyo Paralympics for McGrath, who will be competing there soon.

Exactly nine years before the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics will take place, McGrath stepped on an IED (improvised explosive device) while serving as a combat engineer with the Australian Army in Afghanistan. This caused him to lose his right leg above the knee and left leg below the knee.

As he was loaded onto the evacuation helicopter, just before leaving McGrath said, “You will see me at the Paralympics.” according to Cannaberra Weekly.

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Curtis McGrath has his sights set on Gold at the Tokyo Paralympics

Curtis McGrath at Rio Paralympics
Curtis McGrath at Rio Paralympics

Curtis McGrath is already a champion, having won gold in canoeing at the Rio Paralympics, a medal which he donated to the Australian War Memorial. Now he is all set to compete in the canoeing KL2 and new VL3 classes at Tokyo.

“I’m pretty keen – we’ve been working so hard to get to the Games and get there and be able to represent Australia, and push hard. Despite what’s happening over there, I’ve been given an amazing opportunity through my misfortunes in Afghanistan. I’m trying to make the most of that,” he told AAP.

While McGrath plans to keep his Tokyo Paralympics medal at home, he has already finished the paperwork to continue to loan the Rio Medal to the Australian War Memorial.

McGrath is one of Australia’s biggest medal hopes, and pressure sits well with him, as he hopes to give his best at the Paralympics once again. “The way I see it is there’s only one thing you can do, and that’s to go there and do your best. We all need to accept that sport is something that brings us all together and learn from that – push ourselves to be better.”

Also Read: Know About India’s Ace Para-Shuttler Pramod Bhagat, Bio, Career Achievements and More