Robert Courtney (Paralympian)

Robert George Courtney (27 April 1959 – 28 January 2016) was a champion New Zealand Paralympian.[1]

Robert Courtney
Personal information
Full nameRobert George Courtney
Born27 April 1959 (1959-04-27)
Died28 January 2016 (2016-01-29) (aged 56)
Auckland, New Zealand
Medal record
Men's para athletics
Representing  New Zealand
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 New York &
Stoke Mandeville
100 m 4
Bronze medal – third place 1984 New York &
Stoke Mandeville
King of the straight – 100 m 1A-6

Early life

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Born on 27 April 1959,[2] Courtney spent his childhood in Auckland and was educated at St Peter's College.[3]

Athletics career

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Courtney represented New Zealand in the 1982 Paraplegic Olympics in Hong Kong in the 100 metres and 200 metres Wheelchair Sprints for which he won gold medals and set world records.[3] He also represented New Zealand in the 1984 Summer Paralympics at Stoke Mandeville, England, where he won, and set a world record in, the men's 100 m 4. In the same games he also won a bronze medal in the Men's King of the Straight - 100 m 1A-6.[4]

Death

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Courtney died in Auckland on 28 January 2016. He had suffered from kidney problems for over 20 years.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Robert Courtney death notice". New Zealand Herald. 30 January 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Robert Courtney". International Tennis Federation. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b St Peter's College Magazine 1982, p. 38.
  4. ^ 1984 Summer Paralympics Games, New York, USA & Stoke Mandeville, England, New Zealand Team, Paralympics New Zealand website (retrieved 4 December 2012)
  5. ^ "NZ paralympian pioneer passes away". New Zealand Herald. 28 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
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