Meet the Superhumans: The gritty Channel 4 ad with the inspiring stories of pain and perseverance behind our Paralympians

By Richard Hartley-parkinson

Published: 10:06 EST, 29 August 2012 | Updated: 04:21 EST, 30 August 2012


These are just a handful of the athletes who will tonight pick up the sporting mantle as they get ready to take part in the Paralympic Games.

Their stories vary from horrific accidents to birth defects and childhood illnesses but over the next day they share one common goal. To get gold for their country.

They all feature in an inspiring advert produced by Channel 4 called Meet the Superhumans and form part of their promotional material for coverage of the Paralympics.

Here we look at the key people in the film and how they came to be where they are today.

Inspiring: Paralympians have not let their disabilities get in their way to become the best in their disciplines. Pictured left to right are Nathan Stephens, Jonnie Peacock, Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Mandip Sehmi

Inspiring: Paralympians have not let their disabilities get in their way to become the best in their disciplines. Pictured left to right are Nathan Stephens, Jonnie Peacock, Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Mandip Sehmi



Jonnie Peacock: Sprinter

When he was born, Jonnie, now 19, was an able-bodied baby. However at the age of five he contracted meningitis and had to have his leg amputated.

He will take part in the 100m race at the Paralympics and it is expected he will do well in the sport.

He set a new world record at the United States Paralympic track and field trials in June this year shaving 0.06 seconds off the old record with a time of 10.85 seconds.

He will face the old record holder, Marlon Shirley, and Paralympic Champion Oscar Pistorius from South Africa.

Jonnie Peacock, pictured with Liz Johnson, lost his leg to meningitis when he was five

Jonnie Peacock, pictured with Liz Johnson, lost his leg to meningitis when he was five

Claire Cashmore: Swimmer

Claire was born without a lower-left arm and was selected to join ParalympicsGB in 2004 for the Athens Games where he won bronze in the 200m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke.

In Beijing she won bronze in the 100m Breaststroke and won gold in the 100m Individual Medley at the IPC World championships in Rio de Janeiro.

Claire's success has continued beyond that of her two Paralympics glories, winning individual medals at every major championship she has competed in.

Claire Cashmore was born without a left arm but has gone on to be successful in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley

Claire Cashmore was born without a left arm but has gone on to be successful in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley

Hannah Cockroft: Wheelchair racer

A double-leg amputee from Halifax, she will take part in the 100m and 200m events.

She specialises in sprint differences and has already shown how determined she is by smashing four world records in 2010 at the British Wheelchair Athletics Association International.

She was actually the first person to set a World Record inside the Olympic Stadium in London when she completed 100m in May 2012 with a time of 18.56 seconds.

As if that wasn't enough, she then went on to smash her own record by nearly a full second with a time of 17.6 seconds at the Swiss National Championships.

A good all-rounder she has also taken part in competitions in seated discus and wheelchair basketball.

Gaz Choudhry: Wheelchair basketball

Gaz, who was born in Karachi, Pakistan, is an amputee whostarted playing Wheelchair Basketball at the age of 13, after seeing a roadshow by the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association.

He has now been competing for over 13 years.

Before his amputation, Gaz was a very athletic child and he fell in love with Wheelchair Basketball as soon as he tried it. He started playing for Force alongside Paralympians such as Sinclair Thomas and Ade Adepitan before moving on to Super League Club MK Aces. 

As a junior, Gaz represented GB in a number of international tournaments winning two gold and a silver medal, as well as being chosen in the All Star team at the European’s Championships in Adana, Turkey. 

Gaz Choudhry (right) is an amputee from Karachi, Pakistan, who started playing wheelchair basketball when he was 13

Gaz Choudhry (right) is an amputee from Karachi, Pakistan, who started playing wheelchair basketball when he was 13

Prior to the Paralympics in Beijing, where he was named as reserve, Gaz moved over to play in Italy at Porto Torres. He made his GB seniors debut at the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup and he was also a member of the World Championship team that came 5th in 2010.

He won gold with the team at the 2011 European Championships, which stands along his greatest achievements to date.

Outside of Wheelchair Basketball, Gaz studied at Royal Holloway University where he graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Political Science in 2005.

He likes reading and learning about ancient history and speaks both Urdu and Italian.

Cyclist Jody Cundy was born with a foot defect and had to have his lower leg amputated

Cyclist Jody Cundy was born with a foot defect and had to have his lower leg amputated

Jody Cundy: Cyclist

An established athlete on the British Paralympic team, Jody had his right foot amputated at the age of three.

He already had a successful Paralympic career in the pool before making a transition to the Cycling team before the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

At the age of five, Jody had his first swimming lesson with his school and ended up being rescued from the bottom of the pool. His parents then enrolled him in Swimming lessons at his local club where he learnt to swim.

Aged 10, Jody raced for the first time for Kings Lynn Swimming Club and his international debut came in 1994, where he represented Great Britain at the World Swimming Championships.

Here he shined, taking four seconds off his best time to take the gold medal in the 100m Butterfly, the first of 23 (14 gold, four silver and five bronze) international medals he would win in a Swimming career spanning 10 years.

Jody’s interest in cycling was fuelled by watching Chris Boardman on the Lotus bike in Barcelona in 1992.

He also closely followed the progress of Chris and Graeme Obree as they duelled out the one hour record. In 2005, his career path changed after a ride on the boards of the Newport Velodrome where his potential was first spotted.

In 2006, Jody entered the National Track Championships in Manchester and broke the British record for the Flying 200.

While still swimming on the GB team, Jody was invited to a time trial for a place on the 2006 Paralympic World Cup team after his times had attracted the interest of the GB Para-Cycling Team.

Following this performance, he was offered a place to ride in the Team Sprint alongside Darren Kenny and Mark Bristow, where the trio set a new world record.

After that race, Jody made the decision to make a complete his transition to the British Para -Cycling Team.

In the summer of 2006, Jody won his first individual gold medal at the Track World Championships in Aigle, Switzerland, breaking the world record in the process.

From that victory, he has gone on to become the fastest solo Paralympian on a bike, winning multiple medals on the world stage.

At the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 Jody won two gold medals, making him one of only a handful of athletes that have become Paralympic champions in two different sports.

In 2009 Jody was awarded an MBE in the New Years Honours list for his services to disability sport. In his spare time, Jody enjoys the cinema, music, Moto GP and Power-Kiting.

Ellie Simmonds was born with dwarfism and a swimmer who won gold at Beijing when she was just 13

Ellie Simmonds was born with dwarfism and a swimmer who won gold at Beijing when she was just 13

Ellie Simmonds: Swimmer

Ellie was born with dwarfism and was one of Britain’s most successful swimmers in Beijing where, aged just 13, she brought home two gold medals in the 100m Freestyle and the 400m Freestyle, making her the youngest ever Briton to win an individual gold medal at a Paralympic Games.

Ellie began Swimming aged five with her local Swimming club and says she was inspired by watching the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. She really took to the sport and enjoyed the sociable aspect of being part of the squad.

She progressed to make her international debut at the 2006 IPC World Championships in Durban, South Africa where she finished 6th in the 400m Freestyle, 7th in the 50m and 100m Freestyle and 8th in the 50m Butterfly, before making her Paralympic debut two years later.

Most recently, Ellie competed at the 2012 British Championships in London, where she won a gold medal in the 400m Freestyle and became the first athlete to set a world record in the Aquatics centre by winning gold in the 200m Individual Medley.

In addition to her training commitments, Ellie is currently studying for A-Levels in Citizenship, History and World Development.

Ellis has achondroplesia.




David Weir: Wheelchair racer

David, 30, has battled against Spina Bifida to compete in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta before taking a break from sport. He returned in time to compete at the 2004 Games in Sydney, where he won a silver in the 100m and a bronze in the 200m.

In Beijing he won four medals: golds in the 800m and the 1500m, silver in the 400m and bronze in the 5,000m (he did not compete in the marathon).

David is also a regular competitor in the London Marathon, which he won for a record-equalling sixth time in April 2012, matching the achievement of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

David was awarded an MBE in January 2009 and is a father to daughter Ronnie and son Mason.

David Weir had his leg amputated at birth and is a wheelchair racer already having competed at the 2004 Games

David Weir had his leg amputated at birth and is a wheelchair racer already having competed at the 2004 Games

Wheelchair rugby player Jonny Coggan made his debut at Athens in 2004

Wheelchair rugby player Jonny Coggan made his debut at Athens in 2004

Jonny Coggan: Wheelchair rugby player

Jonathan has been involved in Wheelchair Rugby since 2001 and he made his Paralympic debut for the British team at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games.

He enjoys the sport because of the combination of the competitiveness of the game and the camaraderie amongst the team.

He describes his greatest moment in the sport as the victory against Australia in the 2006 World Cup in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he was awarded the title for ‘Best in Your Class’.

Jonathan is looking forward to representing ParalympicsGB at London 2012 as he feels competing at the Paralympic Games is the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. He also hopes that it will help to raise the profile of Wheelchair Rugby.

Jonathan is classified as a 0.5 player and he plays with Stoke Mandeville Storm.

Mickey Bushell: Wheelchair racer

Mickey has spinal congenital paraplegia and took up Athletics after being spotted by Paralympian Deborah Brennan when she visited his school and saw him playing dodge ball.

She suggested that he try Wheelchair Racing and Mickey was soon hooked on the thrill and speed of the sport. He has now been competing for 10 years after he joined the British team when he was 15 years old.

Among Mickey’s career highlights was his performance at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, where he won silver in the T53 100m.

In 2006, Mickey was awarded a BTEC in Sports Studies.

Jon Hall has Spina Bifida and has taken part in Wheelchair Basketball since he was 14

Jon Hall has Spina Bifida and has taken part in Wheelchair Basketball since he was 14

Jon Hall: Wheelchair basketballer

Jon has Spina Bifida and had his first taste of Wheelchair Basketball aged 14 where he was due to compete in the Athletics events at the National Junior Games at Stoke Mandeville.

Jon quickly turned his attentions to Wheelchair Basketball, drawn to the sport because of the fast-paced nature of the game. He has been competing ever since.

Initially, Jon competed for the Sheffield Steelers until he joined the Wolverhampton Rhinos where he was part of the team for three successful years. In the 2011/2012 season he joined Super League Rivals the Tameside Owls.

Jon captained the GB Junior team at the 2005 World Junior Championships and he was also part of the Junior team that won the European gold.

He went on to break into the senior squad at the age of 19, representing Great Britain at three European Championships, two World Championships and becoming a Paralympic bronze medallist in Beijing, in 2008.

He feels that his most memorable moment in the sport was the opening game at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, where the men’s Wheelchair Basketball team competed against China.

The team progressed through the competition to bring home the bronze medal. More recently, his greatest achievements include a series of strong performances which secured the 2011 European Championship.

Outside of Wheelchair Basketball, he also enjoys Ice Hockey and supports the Sheffield Steelers.

Jon was born in Doncaster. He is classified as a 3.0 player.

Aaron Phipps: Wheelchair rugby player

Selection to compete for ParalympicsGB at London 2012 fulfils Aaron’s greatest sporting ambition as he describes it as the highest level of competition for an athlete.

Aaron initially competed in Wheelchair Racing from 2007 onwards, but since he was introduced to Wheelchair Rugby in 2009 he has never looked back.

Aaron enjoys Wheelchair Rugby because it is a fast-paced game and the only full contact wheelchair sport.

Wheelchair rugby player Aaron Phipps lost his legs and fingertips after contracting meningitis in 1998

Wheelchair rugby player Aaron Phipps lost his legs and fingertips after contracting meningitis in 1998

He made his debut at the 2009 European Championships in Hillerod, Denmark, where the team achieved a 4th place finish.

Aaron admires fellow team-mate Andy Barrow for his commitment to the sport, and has also been inspired by David Weir and Tanni Grey-Thompson.

He also believes that Australian Riley Batt is the best player in the world and describes first playing against him as the greatest moment in his career.

Aaron works as the Assistant London 2012 co-ordinator for Hampshire County Council.

Aaron is classified as a 3.5 player.

Wheelchair rugby player David Anthony has muscular dystrophy and enjoys his sport because it is a hard hitting, fast and exciting one

Wheelchair rugby player David Anthony has muscular dystrophy and enjoys his sport because it is a hard hitting, fast and exciting one

David Anthony: Wheelchair rugby player

David has muscular dystrophy and enjoys Wheelchair Rugby because it’s a hard-hitting, fast and exciting sport. He is most looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd when he makes his Paralympic debut at London 2012.

David began training with the Cardiff Pirates in 2006 and made his debut for the British team in 2008, competing at the Maximus Tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where the team won gold.

David describes team-mate Ross Morrison as one of the athletes that he most admires, as an experienced player that is both supportive and inspirational.

David is classified as a 2.5 point player and he plays with the Cardiff Pirates.






Steve Brown: Wheelchair rugby player

Steve is paralysed from the chest down and has limited use of his hands after falling from a balcony in 2005.

He is currently captain of the Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby team and one of the most recognised members of the team.

Before his injury, Steve was very athletic and played Football and Cricket amongst other sports. Steve first got involved in Wheelchair Rugby following his accident in 2005. After trying Archery and Table Tennis, he watched his first game and decided it was the sport for him.

Steve Brown, captain of the wheelchair rugby team became paralysed in 2005 when he fell from a balcony

Steve Brown, captain of the wheelchair rugby team became paralysed in 2005 when he fell from a balcony

Steve changed his lifestyle and began to focus on training. His first competition came six months later, when he took part in the 2006 Wheelchair Rugby National Championships, playing as part London’s winning team.

Steve narrowly missed selection for the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, but following the return of ParalympicsGB he represented the 2012 Paralympic hopefuls and led the parade of athletes through London.

Steve has also sustained some serious injuries throughout his time playing Wheelchair Rugby, notably during a competition in Germany in 2009, which kept him out of the sport for four months. Steve describes Australian Riley Batt as his toughest opponent in the sport.

Steve also featured on Channel 4’s ‘Inside Incredible Athletes’.

Steve is classified as a 2.0 point player and plays with the Kent Crusaders.

Peter Finbow: Wheelchair basketballer

Peter was first introduced to Wheelchair Basketball by former GB player Dan Johnson whilst in rehabilitation after a road traffic accident when he was 16 years old.

He says that he was drawn in by the competitive element of the sport.

The father of three has played domestic basketball for most of his 14 year career for Tameside Owls, with a one year break in which he played for Sheffield Steelers.

Peter Finbow became a wheelchair basketballer after he was involved in a crash when he was 16

Peter Finbow became a wheelchair basketballer after he was involved in a crash when he was 16

He made his debut for GB in 2000 and went on to be part of the team which won silver at the World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan, in addition to winning two Paralympic bronze medals in Athens and Beijing.

In a career spanning more than two decades, Peter has won two Paralympic medals and been part of the team that were crowned European Champions in 2011.

Peter was born in Bradford. He now trains with Oldham Owls and is classified as a 2.0 player.

Outside of Wheelchair Basketball, Peter enjoys Football and supports Liverpool FC. In Rugby League he supports Bradford Bulls.

Jon-Allan Butterworth lost his left arm after he was injured in a blast in Iraq at Basra Air Station

Jon-Allan Butterworth lost his left arm after he was injured in a blast in Iraq at Basra Air Station

Jon-Allan Butterworth: Cyclist

Jon-Allan joined the British Para-Cycling Development Programme via Battle Back, a joint scheme between the British Paralympic Association and the Ministry of Defence which helps wounded service personnel return to an active life with the help of adventurous training and sport.

Having joined the RAF in 2002, Jon-Allan served in Afghanistan in 2005 and Iraq in 2007 as a SAC(T) Weapons Technician.

He lost his left arm in Iraq in August 2007 where he was involved in a rocket attack on Basra Air Station.

He first heard about Talent ID days while recovering at Headley Court in Surrey and in October 2007 he had his first contact with British Cycling coaches at a British Paralympic Association-run Paralympic Potential Day in Loughborough, designed to help sports identify disabled people with potential sporting talent.

Spurred on to succeed by the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and his experience of taking part in a Help for Heroes Bike Ride in July 2008, Jon-Allan was invited to attend a selection weekend in Newport, Wales.

Following trials, he was selected for the Para-Cycling Talent Programme in April 2009 and subsequently started training with the team in November 2009.

Jon-Allan left the RAF in August 2009 to focus on making it onto the full GB programme. He won gold and broke the world record in the C5 Kilo at his first World Championships in Montichiari, Italy – an achievement which Jon-Allan cites as the greatest achievement of his career to date.

Jon-Allan enjoys Cycling for the physical challenge and the technical aspects of the sport, in addition to its sporting traditions.

He cites Sir Chris Hoy and Craig Maclean as his greatest sporting heroes. Other interests outside of cycling include Snowboarding and motorbikes.

In 2004, Jon was awarded a BTEC from RAF Cosford after studying Aerospace Engineering.

He has a daughter called Rae-Alexis.

Simon Munn lost both his legs when he fell under a train when he was 21

Simon Munn lost both his legs when he fell under a train when he was 21

Simon Munn: Wheelchair basketballer

With experience of five Paralympic Games, Simon is very much a leading figure within the GB men’s team.

Simon lost his leg in a train accident when he was 21 years old, and was introduced to the sport shortly after.

After watching his first match he fell in love with Wheelchair Basketball and he has been competing since 1991.

He is now seen as one of the toughest players on court and he describes the performance against the USA team which secured the team the bronze medal in Beijing as his most memorable match to date.

Other Paralympic medals include a bronze medal in Athens and a silver medal in Atlanta, along with numerous European and World Championship successes.

More than two decades of playing Wheelchair Basketball has allowed Simon to play for a number of clubs including Super League Club MK Aces, Tameside Owls and London Club Capital City.

He is classified as a 4.0 player. He is originally from Aylesbury.

David Clarke: Footballer

Dave has been visually impaired from birth and is the captain of Britain's Football 5-a-side team and the most experienced member of the squad, having represented ParalympicsGB at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

Before taking to the Football pitch, Dave represented his country in the Paralympic-specific sport of Goalball when he competed at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games.

In addition to the Paralympic Games, Dave also has played Football 5-a-side at five World Cups and six European Championships.

He has been awarded the Golden Boot at three World Cups, most recently at the 2011 IBSA European Championships in Aksaray, Turkey, where he was the tournament's highest scorer with six goals.

Dave has also featured on Channel 4’s ‘Inside Incredible Athletes’.

David Clarke, pictured with David Beckham, is a footballer who has been visually impaired since he was born

David Clarke, pictured with David Beckham, is a footballer who has been visually impaired since he was born



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