Join AUS Squad
Back To News
Three time Paralympian David Nicholas is out to defend his crown while Darren Hicks will be on the hunt for his first medal on the second day of track cycling at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Nicholas is also the reigning World Champion in the 3000m individual pursuit C3 and comes into the Games with more than a decade of champion performances at world level.
“I just love riding my bike, training hard and pushing myself to improve,” Nicholas said of what keeps him motivated to perform. “I’m really lucky that over the years this approach to training has helped me have great success whilst I do what I love.”
Speaking of love, a lot has changed for him since the Rio Paralympic Games five years ago.
“I have gotten engaged and moved to NSW to be with my fiancé (fellow Para-cyclist Emilie Miller), changed jobs and have been balancing my training throughout COVID,” said Nicholas, who has cerebral palsy. “I’m enjoying building this new chapter in my life with family, new friends and the support of a new town.
“I have learnt a lot about myself physically and psychologically over the past decade. I’ve learnt a lot about how to better train and prepare my body for events, manage injuries and trust my program will get me where I need to be physically.
“I’ve also learnt to look at the whole big picture, not get caught up in the nerves and disappointments to help get what I want out of my races.”
Buy your green and gold virtual seat and support our Paralympians
While he also has strong credentials on the road, the track pursuit has been the focus event for Nicholas.
Hicks, who made his international debut in 2017, calls the road his ‘happy place’ – but with hopes to be in the medal mix in the event in Tokyo. He was the 2019 World Champion in the 3000m individual pursuit C2 and a previous world record holder but admits the Paralympic Games is a different event altogether.
“I am trying to be a lot calmer and have just been focusing on all the processes that we’ve practiced and planned,” said Hicks, a former BMX rider, whose right leg was amputated after a tragic road accident in 2014.
“I’m just continuously thinking about making sure that I execute those processes and if I execute those then everything should go right on the day.”
For Hicks and Nicholas the efforts of their teammates on Day One have inspired them both.
“We were very, very excited, and a little bit nervous watching them race,” Hicks said.
“It does sort of make me think about what could be tomorrow if things go to plan, that’s for sure, but I just have to put that out in my head for the time being and do the job at hand first and then we’ll see what happens afterwards.”
Watch the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games live and free on Seven and 7plus from August 24 – September 5.
Australians in action on Day Two at Izu Velodrome:
– 11:45 (12:45 AEST) – Men’s 3000m individual pursuit C2 Qualifying – Darren Hicks
– 12:20 (13:20 AEST) – Men’s 3000m individual pursuit C3 Qualifying – David Nicholas
– 15:35 (16:35 AEST) – Men’s 3000m individual pursuit C2 Final – Darren Hicks*
– 16:15 (17:15 AEST) – Men’s 3000m individual pursuit C3 Final – David Nicholas*
*Pending qualification results
By: Paralympics Australia
Posted: 26 August 2021
