On a windy lunchtime at the Swansea University track, Markus Rehm is relaxed and smiling – the most affable man you could possibly meet. But beneath that lies a talent and determination that could yet change sporting history.
The 26-year-old German Paralympic champion lost his lower right leg in a wakeboarding accident as a 14-year-old, and competes using a carbon fibred blade.
As a sprinter, he races in the same T44 class as Britain’s Jonnie Peacock, winning bronze in the 100m behind the GB star on Tuesday at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea.
But it is as a long jumper that he could break entirely new ground.
Rehm is the reigning Paralympic and world champion in the F44 class but there was still no particular expectation when he competed at the German able-bodied trials last month.
To everyone’s astonishment, Rehm won – with a huge personal best of 8.24m, beating his Paralympic world record by 29cm. more
