Michael Cogswell - Sailor

Background

Michael from Pluckley was injured in a skiing accident in 1999.  Michael suffered multiple injuries one of which resulted in permanent paraplegia in the upper chest. Michael took up sailing in 2002 as this is one of the few sports that a wheelchair bound athlete can compete fairly with the able bodied. Michael quickly realised that this was a sport that suited him and started to immediately work full time on getting himself to an international standard. He went to his first disabled world championships in 2002 and has been to every disabled world championships since. Further detail on Michael visit his website.

Mike recently competed in Athens at the IFDS world Championships in the Skud18 class.

Mike is currently considering his future at the sport.

What has been your greatest achievement as a sportsperson?

Winning a medal in the single person keelboat class at the International Regatta at Hyeres in France was a great achievement as it showed that I had the ability to compete with the more established world class Paralympic sailors and was a good reward for a great deal of training and hard work.

What are your next goals?

My next goal is to become Britain’s first medal winner at sailing in the Paralympics by winning a Gold medal at London 2012.

What do you do in your spare time?

Most of my spare time is taken up looking after and teaching my daughter Arabella new things. She is currently 2 ½ years old and it is incredibly rewarding.

What has sport given you?

Sport has given me goals and focus, it has enabled me to move beyond my disability and do things I would never have thought possible.

Michael urgently needs local sponsors to help his London 2012 Campaign see his website.to get involved.

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