Tom Aggar

Adaptive Rowing featured once in the 2010 World Cup Series, at Bled, where Tom won gold in the ASM1x in a time of 5:03.46 - 8 seconds ahead of second placed rower Andy Houghton, also from GB.  This followed the two gold medals Tom won at the Varese International Adaptive Regatta in May this year.

Tom is the reigning Paralympic and World Champion in the ASM single scull boat class.  In January 2010 he became the International Rowing Federation's first 'Adaptive Rower of the Year' in recognition of his achievements on the water.

He began the 2009 racing season in good form, winning gold at both the Varese Internatioanl Regatta and Munich World Cup Regatta.  He ended the season by dominating the opposition at the World Rowing Championships in Poznan, winning the final by more than 15 seconds and, in the process, lowering his own World Best Time to 4:51.48.  This was arguably his best performance to date.

Tom had begun the 2008 Paralympic season in fine style winning the Varese International Regatta in April where he also lowered his own World Best Time.  In Beijing Tom faced tough opposition in his final from the Ukrainian sculler but maintained his lead and produced an exceptional last 300m to win gold ahead of the Ukraine and Israel.  Becoming Paralympic champion in only his second year of competitive rowing was an outstanding achievement.

Tom made his first appearance in the sport when he won his category at the 2006 Indoor Rowing Championships using the FES (functional electrical stimulation) rowing machine with integrated legs and arms.  Following this he became involved in adaptive rowing through the mentoring of Simon Goodey at the London Regatta Centre.  He represents Royal Docks Rowing Club and had an outstanding first season in international rowing winning the Gold medal at the 2007 World Championships in Munich in a World best time.

Tom is a graduate of the University of Warwick and he played 1st XV rugby there, but following an accident unconnected with sport he was injured and he took up rowing in 2006 to keep fit.  He started training using the FES rowing ergometer at the Aspire National Training Centre, Stanmore.

Tom Aggar is lottery funded through UK Sport.