A MATHEMATICS course director at Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) has returned from a world championships in Belgium with a total of six medals.
Para-athlete Jamie Gane, 29, won the medals at the OCR (Obstacle Course Race) World Championships held from September 14 to 17.
This year marked the first-ever OCR World Championship event, marked by federated drug testing and the inclusion of adaptive and disabled athletes.
Jamie represented Great Britain in the landmark event as the sole UK para-athlete.
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Unfortunately, he sustained an injury just before his first race, which affected his performance. However, he still managed to secure first place in his category for all three individual races and finished third overall in these races.
Jamie said: "Due to my injury, I had to withdraw from the fourth race, but I returned with three bronze medals and three completion medals as well."
His journey to the OCR World Championships is even more remarkable considering his background.
Suffering from severe and chronic plantar fasciitis since the age of 11, he used to endure excruciating pain in his right foot.
His life was dramatically impacted as his condition prohibited any touch or pressure on his foot. Even the use of crutches was too risky, forcing him to rely mainly on a wheelchair.
However, Jamie's resilience led him to amputate his leg in 2016 when he was just 23-years-old.
This decision marked a turning point in his life, enabling him to reclaim his mobility and pursue his passion for sports, ultimately leading him to triumph in para-athletics.
Jamie has been competing in OCR for four to five years, primarily against non-disabled athletes.
This year marked his entry into the world of competing against other athletes with disabilities, with victories at the European Championships in May and June leading to his qualification for the World Championships.
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Jamie joined BCoT as a math course director in April, where he teaches full-time alongside his dedicated training regimen.
Despite his achievements in the sporting arena, Jamie maintains his commitment to education and inspires students both in and out of the classroom.
While Jamie was not born in Basingstoke, he has called the area his home for the past eight years, currently residing in Oakley.
Looking ahead, Jamie is not resting on his laurels. He has his sights set on the British Championships in just two weeks, continuing to represent his country on the world stage.
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