Millicent-born Paralympian Jed Altschwager has made history, winning Australia’s first Paralympic rowing gold in the PR3 mixed double sculls in Paris.
Altschwager teamed up with Nikki Ayers on Sunday to fight off a challenge from Great Britain and win in a time of seven minutes and 26 seconds.
The duo claimed gold on the final day of para rowing, and their success on the water at Vaires sur Marne Ayers added to last year’s world championship triumph.
Altschwager was a multi medallist at the world championships before transitioning from men’s to PR3 mixed double sculls to win his first world title in 2023, together with Ayers.
The pair met seven years ago at an Australian rowing camp, and since teaming up have proved a formidable duo.
Altschwager lost his lower leg in a workplace accident, but in 2016 he was approached by Paralympics Australia’s Talent Identification Manager and three-time Paralympian Tim Matthews, who spotted his para-sport potential.
It was a stellar rise to success in the sport for Altschwager, who made his international debut at the 2018 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, winning a silver medal with James Talbot.
He then competed in the 2019 World Rowing Championships in Austria to defend his silver medal with Will Smith.
In 2023 Altschwager and Ayers combined to win the gold medal in the PR3 Mixed Double at the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade.
Capping off a successful year, Altschwager was also named Rowing Australia 2023 Para Crew of the Year with Ayers and Rowing Australia 77BC Rower’s Rower of the Year.
