Josie Cichockyj facts for kids

Josie Cichockyj (born December 9, 1964 – died December 2, 2014) was an amazing British wheelchair athlete. She was born in Huddersfield. Josie was famous for competing in many races, including the London Marathon. She often finished second in the London Marathon's women's wheelchair race. But in 1989, she won it! Josie also won other marathons like the Leeds, Gloucester, Ottawa, and Brussels Marathons. She even won several half marathons, including the Great North Run.

Josie's Sports Career

Josie Cichockyj was a talented athlete who competed in the Summer Paralympics. These are huge sports events for athletes with disabilities. She took part in wheelchair racing at the 1984 Games. Later, she played wheelchair basketball at the 1988 Games.

Wheelchair Racing Achievements

Josie was incredibly fast in wheelchair racing. She broke 28 British records! She held every British track record from 100 meters all the way to 5,000 meters. A big moment in her track career was breaking the 5,000-meter world track record. She also won silver medals at the European Track Championships in Belgium and Austria.

Wheelchair Basketball Achievements

Josie was the captain of the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball team from 1989 to 1992. She was also the team's vice-captain for several years. She played in the 1988 Paralympics in Seoul, South Korea. She also competed in the 1996 Paralympics in Atlanta, USA. In Atlanta, her team finished 6th, which was the highest place for a British team. Josie won bronze medals at the European Championships in 1995 in Delden, Holland, and in 1997 in Madrid, Spain. She also competed in World Championships, including one in Sydney, Australia, in 1998.

Other Sports

While Josie was busy with basketball, she also played other sports. She was a national champion in table tennis. She also became a ranked tennis player. She even played on the ATP World Wheelchair Tennis Tour.

Josie Cichockyj sadly passed away on December 2, 2014, due to cancer.

Tennis Awards

• LTA National Doubles Winner
• LTA National Singles Runner Up
• NW of England Tournament, Division Winner
• New York Indoor Tennis Championships, Singles Division Winner
• Dallas Tennis Championships, Singles Division Winner
• Israel Open Tennis Championships, Singles Division Winner

Table Tennis Awards

• 1984 Paralympic selection
• DSE National Singles Winner
• DSE Doubles Single Winner
• BTTAD Singles Winner

Special Awards

• Alumni Fellowship Award from Bolton University for her amazing contributions to sport.
• North West Achievement Award for her work with disabled people.
• Nominated for Cheshire Women of the Year in 1996.
• Nominated for the North of England YMCA Volunteer Award in 1996.
• Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association Personality of the Year in 1989.
• Nominated as a finalist at the Winning Women Awards Ceremony in 2001.
• DSE National Achievement Award for her contributions to table tennis.