Tom Aggar (1995-2002) has taken the Gold medal at the World Rowing Championships at Lake Bled in Slovenia – his fifth consecutive title.
He was chased hard by Russian newcomer Alexey Chuvashev but finished strongly with a clear lead to take gold in the Adaptive Men’s Single Scull event.
Tom, who is a member of the GB Rowing Team for the London Paralympics in 2012, says that standards are getting ever higher as rowers from all countries are focusing on next year’s games.
Having recently been named the 2010 World Rowing Adaptive Crew of the Year, he is enjoying a double celebration following his marriage this month to a former adaptive rower, Victoria Hansford. Vicki achieved two World Championship Golds and one Silver medal and set two world records during her career. During her time as a top-flight athlete she also worked at the University of Surrey as a sports psychologist, managing the élite sport programme. In July 2011 the British Paralympic Association announced her appointment as Athlete Services Manager.
“We would like to congratulate Tom, both for his success at the World Championships and on the occasion of his marriage,” said Headmaster Neil Enright.
“Tom was a talented sportsman during his time at QE and we follow his achievements very closely at the School. Tom exemplifies many of the attributes we try to develop in all our pupils: excellence, commitment, persistence, hard-work and team values. We will all be cheering him on at next year’s Paralympics.”
Tom started rowing as part of rehabilitation programme, following an accident in 2005 that left him paralysed.