Matt Lewis (wheelchair rugby)
 2016 Australian Paralympic Team portrait of Lewis | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Bomber |
| Nationality | Australia |
| Born | 8 January 1987 |
| Residence | Pakenham, Victoria |
| Sport | |
| Country |
 Australia |
| Sport | Wheelchair rugby |
| Disability class | 3.5 |
| Club | Victoria Protect Lightning |
Medal record
| |
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Matt Lewis (born 8 January 1987) is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. He won a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics as a member of the Australian Steelers.[1] [2]
Personal
Lewis was born on 8 January 1987.[3] In 2011, at the age of 24, he was severely injured when making a home made bomb using a gas cylinder.[3][4] The bomb making operation went badly wrong and left him in an induced coma for just over a month. He lost most of his fingers and both his legs had to be amputated above the knees.[3][5] In addition, his hearing is impaired and he has many scars on his body.[6] In 2016, he was completing an electrical apprenticeship.[3] He assists programs that educate young people about the dangers of risk taking.[5]
Wheelchair rugby
Lewis was introduced to wheelchair rugby by Victorian coach Bryce Alman.[3] In 2013/14, he played for Sierra Storm in the USA national league for five months and won a number of MVP awards. [3][7] In 2014, he was selected to play for the national team the Australian Steelers.[3] In 2016, he was the MVP at the Wheelchair Rugby National Series.[8]
He was a member of the team that retained its gold medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics after defeating the United States 59–58 in the final. [9]
References
- ↑ "Steelers aim to maintain their reign in Rio". Australian Paralympic Committee News. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ "Steelers aim to maintain their reign in Rio". Australian Paralympic Committee News, 25 July 2016. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Matt Lewis". Australian Paralympic Committee website. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ Langmaid, AAron (30 March 2016). "Melbourne man who survived home-made bomb explosion sets sights on Rio". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- 1 2 Medew, Julia (28 December 2012). "Lessons of life: teaching teenagers how one reckless moment means a lifetime of regret". The Age. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ "Look forward, not back - Matt Lewis". Access for All Abilities website. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ "Matt Lewis". Victorian Institute of Sport website. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ "Wheelchair Rugby National Series: 11-13 March". Disability Sport & Recreation. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
- ↑ Lees, Chris (19 September 2016). "Steelers double up with Paralympics gold". Sunshine Coast Daily. Retrieved 19 September 2016.