Matt Cowdrey

At just 18 years of age, Matthew has already achieved Paralympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games glory. A multiple world-record holder, the teenage swimmer has become one of the top amputee athletes in the world.

Born with a congenital amputation to his lower left arm, Matthew has shown immense strength and courage to succeed and reach incredible heights in the world of swimming.

Matthew started swimming at the age of five and was determined to not just be as good as any able bodied person, but to be better. Having set his goals for success, Matthew quickly stamped his mark on his S9 classification, breaking his first Australian open record at age 11 and world record at age 13.

In 2004 he competed at the Paralympic Games in Athens where he won three gold, two silver and two bronze medals and finished the meet with two World and Paralympic Records. His amazing achievements were recognised when he was named the Australian Swimmer of the Year with a Disability three years in a row and the Junior Male Paralympian of the Year.

Matthew was the only Australian male swimmer (able bodied or EAD) to win individual gold at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Following this, he produced a phenomenal performance at his first world championships, winning an incredible five gold, two silver and one bronze medals.

Following his amazing results in 2006, Matthew looks forward to defending his Paralympic titles in Beijing.