Jaco van Gass

A phenomenal performance in Paris resulted in Jaco van Gass not only achieving individual success in the Men’s C3 3,000m individual pursuit, but also saw him maintain the team sprint title alongside Kadeena Cox and Jody Cundy.

A sensational 2020 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, at which he won three gold and two silver medals, earmarked van Gass as one to watch at the Tokyo Paralympics.

He certainly live up to expectations competing in a total of five events at the velodrome and on the road circuit winning gold in the mixed 750m team sprint along with Kadeena Cox and Jody Cundy, gold in the Men’s pursuit C3 and bronze in the 1000m time trial C1-C3.

South African-born Jaco van Gass came to Britain at the age of 20, to pursue his ambition of joining the British Armed Forces.

After completing his training, he joined the Parachute Regiment, and was deployed to Afghanistan. It was during his second tour of the country that he sustained life-changing injuries, losing his left arm below the elbow after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.

Following his injury, Jaco van Gass has undertaken a number of incredible physical challenges, and made his international para-cycling debut in 2013.

After being reclassified as a C3, he won a silver in the road race in Emmen in 2019, before enjoying an outstanding 2020 track world championships. He won pursuit silver before capturing three golds – in the kilo, scratch race and omnium – to underline his talent.

UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships, Miton 2020 saw Jaco win 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals.