Chris Harriss, 36, is still celebrating the incredible gold medal he won in August at the OCR World Championships in Costa Rica, making him the 2024 world champion in the 100m obstacle course race.
He did it after a motorbike accident in 2014 eventually led to the “life-changing” operation of having his left leg amputated in 2018.
Chris, from Colchester, said: “I brought home the gold medal and had heatstroke as well, so I’m really happy about that.
Chris is in the British national OCR team and he hoped to compete in the Paralympics.
OCR is not yet an Olympic event, and due to his age, it is unlikely he will be able to represent his country if it is included.
But rock climbing is an Olympic sport, so Chris is determined to join the British Paralympic rock-climbing team.
“I’ve always loved bouldering and rope climbing stuff, and it helps me out in my obstacle course races.
“The thrill of being high and climbing – and 20 minutes of rock climbing is harder than an hour in the gym – I just love it.
“I could train for the rest of my life in the hope of getting in eventually. I want to carry on for years and years.
“To be able to say I’ll be climbing as a para-athlete in the Paralympics would be amazing.”
He said: “When I was recovering from having my leg amputated, I went into the prosthetic department, and they were very supportive.
“One lady named Louise did everything for me – she has been amazing.
“I’m on my second carbon fibre prosthetic already. That’s how hard I train.”
