Peter Kirby (athlete) facts for kids
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| Nationality | Australian | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1964/1965 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Peter Kirby is an Australian athlete who competed in the Paralympics. He was born around 1964 or 1965. Peter is an arm amputee, meaning he lost part of his arm. He became famous for winning five medals at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in New York. These medals included one gold, one silver, and three bronze.
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Peter Kirby's Early Life and Journey
Peter Kirby was born in Bega, New South Wales, Australia. His parents were from the Wiradjuri people, an Indigenous Australian group. His family moved around New South Wales when he was young. They eventually settled in a town called Eden, New South Wales.
A Life-Changing Accident
When Peter was 13 years old, he had a serious accident. He touched some high-voltage power lines that had fallen at the Eden sportsground. This accident caused him to lose his right hand and forearm.
Getting Back into Sports
Before his accident, Peter was a very good athlete at school. After losing his arm, he needed to learn how to run differently. One of his teachers, Phil Gould, helped him change his running style. This support allowed Peter to continue his passion for sports.
Paralympic Achievements
At the age of 19, Peter Kirby competed in the 1984 Summer Paralympics held in New York. He took part in five different athletics events. His hard work paid off, and he won five medals!
Gold Medal Glory
Peter won a gold medal in the Men's 4×100 m Relay A4–9 event. This was a team race where four athletes ran 100 meters each. He also earned a silver medal in the Men's 4 x 400 m Relay A4–9 event.
Bronze Medals and More
Besides his gold and silver, Peter won three bronze medals. These were for individual events:
- Men's 100 m A6
- Men's 400 m A6
- Men's Long jump A6
Peter Kirby made history at these Games. He was the first Indigenous Australian Paralympian to win a gold medal.
Community Support and Later Sports
When Peter returned home from the New York Paralympics, his community celebrated his success. He was given a special silver tray during a rugby league match. The people of Eden had helped him go to the Games by raising money for his travel.
Continuing His Athletic Career
Peter continued to compete after the Paralympics. In 1985, he took part in the Australia Games. His relay team from the New York Games broke a world record there.
Other Sports Peter Played
Beyond track and field, Peter Kirby was also a talented team player. He played Rugby League for several local teams, including the Eden Tigers. He also played soccer for more than 11 years.
