Which event do you compete in for the Paralympics (the Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities)?

Visually impaired judo (under 90kg weight class).

How did you first get into it?

At my first school I was picked on for wearing glasses with thicker lenses and never had the self confidence to stick up for myself. Then my mother spoke to my aunty who knew a coach of our local judo club. He asked her to take me to the club to see if I liked it. Twenty-two years later I have achieved so much with judo but the two things it gave me most of all is self-confidence and friends.

What's the hardest thing about competing at such high levels?

Balancing life with your sport. Alongside all the dedication I have to give to training and competitions I also have a wife and daughter who mean the world to me and a full-time job which brings the money in!

What has been the high point of your career?

I have two achievements which mean everything to me. First, winning a bronze in the Atlanta Paralympics 1992, and second, finishing in the top 10 sighted judo ranking list in 2000.