Erik ‘Hat Trick’ Horrie storming through 2016

A promise, a seizure, a baby boy and a London Paralympic silver medal, that was the story of 2012 for NSWIS rower Erik Horrie, a man who doesn’t do things in halves. Now in 2016 he’s been named Australia’s male rower of the year, claimed Rowing NSW President’s Award and had a boat named after him. It’s not even June yet. 

Rewind the clock to London 2012 and after making the switch from a career with Australia’s wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers to rowing in 2011, Horrie found himself entering his first Paralympics with his fiancée due to give birth any day, and then suffered a seizure the day after his first heat. It was diabolical. 

Although even though he had been admitted to hospital, Horrie returned to fulfill a promise he made to himself and rowed to Olympic silver. That’s the mark of a determined man. 

There’s no doubting the drive and determination of Horrie, who at just 21 was left a paraplegic following a car accident, and now dedicates six days a week to training.  Since London Horrie has dominated the Arms and Shoulders Single Scull, slashing 10.5 seconds off the world record at the 2013 World Championships and remaining undefeated since the Paralympics. 

With preparations for Rio well and truly advanced, Horrie was earlier this month named the Australian Male Rower of the Year after another undefeated season in 2015, which also saw him win his third straight world championship. 

Within the month Horrie was also presented with the inaugural Presidents Trophy, awarded by the Governor of NSW to an athlete who, in the past year, has made an outstanding and inspirational contribution to the sport of para rowing in New South Wales.  Capping off a magnificent May, Horrie had a new single scull, the ‘Erik Horrie’ named after him at the Sydney Rowing Club. 

The next assignment for Horrie will be the 2016 World Cup II in Poland this June. Following that event he will find out if he is selected for his second Paralympic Games. 

No doubt this Paralympic cycle he would like a comparatively low key Games, and perhaps that coveted gold medal.