David Cooke

In 2009 I spotted a weblink mentioning the British Disabled Triathlon Championships and decided to enter for the fun of it. A first place in my event and I was hooked.  My favorite ITU has been the Hyde Park International - fantastic venue, well organized, great crowd and professional commentary; it was a great experience. During an average training week, I swim for two hours, bike for four, and run for two. My personal best swim time (750m) is 13:06, bike (20km) 45:57, run (5km) 20:06. My triathlon goal is to medal at this year’s Europeans. I’m chairman of Somerset Wheelchair Sports Club, Disabled Persons rep for the British Canoe Union Southwest region, and am involved in coaching wheelchair racing for young athletes in Taunton. Something the triathlon world doesn’t know about me is that I have been a level two kayak coach for 15 years and have taught many dozens of children and adults how to kayak. The biggest obstacle I have overcome in life is probably the lack of opportunity to get involved in sport, as I was perhaps the only disabled child at my school. The person who has had the most influence on my sporting career is my wife, for her support and encouragement.