Hannah Cockroft is a highly accomplished British wheelchair racer who competes in the T34 classification. Here are the key details about her:
Hannah Cockroft Biography
Early Life and Introduction to Sports
- Born on July 30, 1992 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England.
- Suffered two heart attacks within 24 hours of birth, resulting in brain damage and a collapsed lung. Doctors questioned her quality of life.
- Took her first steps at age 3 with a walking frame, defying expectations that she would never walk.
- Joined the Cardinals wheelchair basketball team at age 13 and represented Yorkshire in basketball and seated discus.
- Discovered wheelchair racing at age 15 during a talent ID day at Loughborough University in 2007.
Athletic Career Highlights
- Made her international debut for Great Britain at the 2011 World Championships in New Zealand at age 18, winning gold in the 100m and 200m T34 events.
- At the 2012 London Paralympics, she won gold in the 100m (18.06s, Paralympic record) and 200m (31.09s, Paralympic record), earning the nickname "Hurricane Hannah".
- Repeated her Paralympic success at Rio 2016, winning gold in the 100m, 400m (58.05s, world record), and 800m.
- At the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, she won gold in the 100m (16.39s, world record) and 800m (1:48.99, Paralympic record).
- Holds the world records in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m in the T34 classification.
Honors and Recognition
- Appointed MBE (2013) and OBE (2022) for services to athletics.
- First para-athlete to win the prestigious SJA Sportswoman of the Year award in 2017.
- Awarded Freedom of the Borough of Calderdale (2012) and honorary degrees from the University of Bradford (2014) and York St John University (2016).
- Appeared on TV shows like The Great British Bake Off, The Crystal Maze, and Strictly Come Dancing.
Hannah Cockroft's incredible achievements, from overcoming early health challenges to becoming one of the most decorated Paralympic athletes, have inspired people worldwide. Her determination, records, and pioneering spirit have left an indelible mark on disability sports.
Hannah Cockroft Fan Page
