Determination
In 1987 at 17 years of age Neil had reprsented South Australia at the National Youth Soccer Championships. Two weeks later he came on as substitute in the last few minutes of a game and was involved in a heavy tackle breaking both bones in his right shin - severing an artery. After 3 weeks in hospital, five operations and just four days after his eighteenth birthday, Neil was forced to have the lower part of his right leg amputated.
Since the accident, Neil has overcome many adversities, physical and emotional to do as he had dreamed and represent Australia with distinction. His courage and determination has seen him become one of the Worlds best amputee athletes. He has represented Australia since 1989, winning 34 medals. (16 Gold, 10 Silver and 8 Bronze medals).
Commitment
Neil dominated the 400m event for below-knee amputees since 1995, taking the World Record from 56.26 seconds down to a time of 51.89 seconds, just over 2 seconds slower than the Worlds best woman 400m runner, Cathy Freeman. Neil is also a member of two World Record amputee relay teams (4 x 100m & 4 x 400m). He has also previously held the World Records in the long jump with a best of 5.98m and 800m in a time of 2:14.44, and he is still the current Australian Record Holder in the 100m (11.42sec), 200m (22.78sec), 400m (51.89sec) and 800m (2:12.58sec).
Neil has represented Australia at 4 Paralympics – Barcelona, 1992 (1 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze) Atlanta, 1996 (1 Gold, 2 Silver) Sydney, 2000 (4 Gold, 1 Bronze) and Athens in 2004 (2 Silver, 1 Bronze).
Neil’s performances in Sydney set 3 New World Records, 4 New Paralympic Records and 4 New Australian Records and gave him the honour of being the Australian team flagbearer at the closing ceremony.
Perseverance
Setbacks make people stronger and more determined and Neil is no different. Neil and his wife Karen are now bringing up 2 young children with his wife, Karen having survived chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer. In 2000, Neil released his autobiography titled "One Foot In The Door", selling over 1000 copies. His story tells of the agony he endured on the soccer field and many tough battles he has had to endure on his road to success. The story has inspired many people including Donovan Bailey who has written the foreword Neil's book.
Other sporting highlights include
1992 - Order of Australia Medal (OAM)
1994 - South Australian Young Achiever of the Year
1996 - City of Salisbury Young Citizen of the Year
1997 - Athletics SA Hall of Fame
1998 - Male Paralympian of the Year
2000 - Australian Sports Medal
2001 - Australian Institute of Sport Excellence Award, and
2002 - Australian Institute of Sport 21 Best Ever Athletes
Records and Results
World Records:
4 x 100m relay 43.56sec Homebush, Sydney 24/3/00
Paralympic Records:
4 x 100m relay 43.56sec Homebush, Sydney 24/3/00
Australian Records:
100m 11.42sec Duderstadt, Germany 31/8/97
200m 22.78sec Homebush, Sydney 25/10/00
400m 51.89sec Homebush, Sydney 30/10/99
800m 2:14.44sec Homebush, Sydney 26/10/0
Previous World Records:
400m 51.89sec Homebush, Sydney 30/10/99
800m 2:14.44sec San Diego, USA 28/5/98
Long Jump 5.98m Duderstadt, Germany 29/8/97
4 x 400m relay 3:32.44sec Homebush, Sydney 24/10/00
Major International Performances:
2004 Paralympics, Athens - SILVER – 400m, 4x400m relay, BRONZE – 4x100m relay
2003 IAAF World Championships, Paris France - 4th – 200m
2002 IPC World Championships, Lille France - SILVER - 200m, 400m, 4 x 400m, BRONZE - 4 x 100m, 5th - 100m
2001 IAAF World Championships, Edmonton Canada - GOLD - 200m
2000 Paralympics, Sydney - GOLD - 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m, 4 x 400m, BRONZE - 100m
1998 IPC World Championships, Birmingham - GOLD - 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 400m relay
1996 Paralympics, Atlanta - GOLD - 4 x 100m relay, SILVER - 100m, 200m, 5th - Long Jump
1994 IPC World Championships, Berlin - GOLD - 100m, 200m, 400m, 4 x 100m relay, BRONZE - Long Jump
1992 Paralympics, Barcelona - GOLD - 4 x 100m, SILVER - 200m, 400m, BRONZE - 100m, 6th - Long Jump
|
Enquire about
Neil Fuller
for your next event |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
