Gavin Walker

Gavin Walker

Athlete Information

  • Region

    Rotherham

  • Date of Birth

    17/10/1983

  • Classification

    2.0

Athlete main content

Bio

Wheelchair Rugby won their first ever Paralympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020 in a historic 54-49 victory over USA. Gavin joined the fire service in 2003 but his life changed significantly when he broke his neck, slipping on some wet decking in 2010. During his rehab in the Sheffield Spinal Unit, Gavin met Sarah Leighton, a GBWR classifier, and physio. Sarah told him all about the sport and in 2011 Gavin went along to his first training session at the Marauders club. Selected to the Development Squad in 201112, Gavin joined a new cohort of players who now make up the main body of the national squad.

Gavin continued to work for the fire service in Sheffield until 2012. In 2013 he was selected for the national squad and became a full time athlete. He competed in his first Major at the European Championships in Antwerp in 2013, returning with a bronze medal. In July 2015 Gavin was appointed vice captain, working alongside new captain Chris Ryan.

He went on to compete in the successful European Championship team in September. Gavin and Chris have developed a great partnership, both have their roles as leaders within the squad, on and off the court. Gavin made his Paralympic debut at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games where he was consistently within the team’s starting line. Gavin is also the proud father of two daughters.

At the 2019 European Championships Gavin and Chris led the team to their third consecutive European title. Gavin remains as co-captain of the squad.

Playing history

Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games: Gold

2016 Rio Paralympic Games – 5th

2019 European Championships, Denmark – 1st

2017 European Championships, Germany – 1st

2015 European Championships, Finland – 1st

2013 European Championships – 3rd

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