Richard
Nicholson

Richard is five-time Paralympian, and a champion both on the national and international stage. His pathway to elite sport began in archery and high-school gymnastics, before he pursued para-powerlifting, breaking expectations and emerging as a national champion all within two years. Richard would soon enough compete in his first Paralympic Games in Atlanta, 1996.

After several accolades across European and Commonwealth Games, Richard would secure silver in Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, and became the first Australia Paralympian to bench press over three times his body weight. Though he excelled in pushing iron, doping controversies in the powerlifting made the para-athlete turn to more events and disciplines for a different challenge.

In 2002, after eight years of powerlifting, Richard took his sporting ability to the track. At the Athens 2004 Paralympics, he secured another silver medal in the 4x100m relay and broke the current Australian record. Competing in Beijing 2008, Nicholson’s relay team unfortunately were disqualified at the first change-over. However, Nicholson would secure a bronze medal with his relay team in the same 4x100m event in London 2012. When Richard bounces back, he takes great pride in sportsmanship and his discipline. Outside of Paralympic games, he’s competed in marathons all over the world from New Zealand, Korea, Switzerland and New York.

An active man with talent in a wide range of sports, away from the track Richard enjoys hand cycling and also spends considerable time with friends, playing his Xbox and watching movies. Richard’s favourite flick is Martin Scorsese crime movie, The Departed.