Richard Whitehead (athlete)
Richard Whitehead ( born July 19, 1976 in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire, England ) is a British athlete, said since the birth from the knees down both legs missing. He has specialized in the long distance, especially marathon and half-marathon, but he's since 2010 also active on routes 200 and 400 meters. In these disciplines Whitehead holds several world records.
Life and career
Despite his physical handicap Richard Whitehead was early success in various sports. He won in swimming in 1991 at the World Youth Games in Australia four gold, three silver and two bronze medals. In 2005 and 2006 he was a member of the British cricket team of the disabled. In 2006 he took part in the Winter Paralympics in Turin in Sledge Hockey.
His career as an athlete, he started in 2004, initially without prosthetic feet, but only with special shoes directly to the knees. Only in the preparation phase for the New York Marathon, he moved on quality Össur prostheses and could finish the distance in 5:18 hours. With the help of his trainer, Liz Yelling, he managed over several years to improve his times continuously, last 2:42:52 hours at the Chicago Marathon 2010. Besides he also participated in Ultra marathons with distances up to 90 kilometers in part. Since 2010, Whitehead also occurs on routes 200 and 400 meters on, also due to the fact that there is no way for him with the classification of T42 ( amputation above the knee ) to participate in the World Championships or the Paralympics in long-distance competitions.
Funded by the UK Athletics Association and sponsorship money is Richard Whitehead possible full-time to care about the sport. He currently lives in Nottingham.
Achievements (excerpt)
Others
- Richard Whitehead's motto, which he had tattooed on his forearm, is " Cometh the hour, cometh the man" to German as " Cometh the hour, cometh the man ."
- Jokingly takes Whitehead alluding to Oscar Pistorius the title of "Fastest man on no legs" claim for themselves, at least as regards the distances above 400 meters.
- In 2000 he had a minor role as a wounded man in a gladiator.