Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie lost his right leg below the knee after contracting meningococcal septicaemia at the age of 5. Always active, he went on to play in his school football and rugby teams as well as the local football team.
Jonnie competes in the T44 class alongside the ‘blade runner’ Oscar Pistorius. Racing against the multiple Paralympic Gold medallist is a great inspiration for Jonnie and fuels his own ambitions.
Which athletes do you most admire?
"Oscar Pistorious, Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay."
Which competitors do you most fear?
"I have no reason to fear other athletes, I know what they are capable of and I know what I’m capable of, I only have to beat myself each race."
How do you relax?
"Listen to music, have a hot bath."
What would you do for a living if you weren’t an athlete?
"I would like to do something to do with sport, maby a P.E teacher or a personal trainer."
What do you think is your greatest asset?
"Never quitting until I have done my best."
What do you think is your greatest weakness?
"I can’t tell you that as I wouldn’t want my competition to know that now.... haha."
What keeps you motivated to train and compete?
"Showing the world my best and going faster then any amputee has before."
What gets you out of bed on a cold morning to go and train?
"Every day I miss is an advantage to the opposition."
How do you keep running when it starts to hurt?
"The drive of never giving up and always making sure that clock stops as soon as possible!"
Describe yourself in 3 words?
"Stubborn, determined, happy."
What does running mean to you?
"Everything."
I would like to be remembered for?
"Breaking the boundaries."
If you were a superhero, who would you be?
"SUPERMAN!! Because who wouldn’t want to be able to fly??!!"
Complete these sentences:
"In my spare time, I am most likely to be found... enjoying food and catching up with friends."
The most important thing in life is... being happy and appreciating people around you.
"The scariest thing in life is... I am 22 and already have some grey hairs coming through!"
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| DOB | 28 May 1993 |
| Amputation | Unilateral, below the knee |
| Competitive Class | T44 |
| Main Events | 100m sprint |
| Home Town | Cambridge |
| Competetive Highlights | See table below |
| Products | - |
| Web/links |
In 2008 Jonnie decided to find out more about disability sport and his prosthetist told him about a talent identification event taking place in London’s Mile End at the end of that year. At the talent day Jonnie tried out a few sports including wheelchair tennis, pistol shooting and a 60m sprint. A few days later the British Paralympic association invited him to attend trials for a 5 month power programme.
Jonnie made it on to the program and from there got set up with UK Athletics and a local sprint coach. He has been training and improving in the 100m sprint ever since and soon hopes to take on the 200 too.
Jonnie competes in the T44 class alongside the ‘blade runner’ Oscar Pistorius. Racing against the multiple Paralympic Gold medallist is a great inspiration for Jonnie and fuels his own ambitions.
At his first major championships, the 2011 IPC World Championship in Christchurch, Jonnie finished 2nd in the heats to make the final. This was a phenomenal achievement and he went on to finish 5th in a time of 11.63, less than half a second behind Pistorius.
Considering how new Jonnie is to the sport, he has improved significantly in a very short space of time proving he is a real talent and one to watch..
| Year | Highlights |
|---|---|
| 2011 |
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| 2010 |
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| 2009 |
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Bjarnfreður , t3 (by SBA)