Image
Camera IconImage Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Daglish teen doesn’t let vision impairment dash 2020 Paralympic dream

Bryce LuffWestern Suburbs Weekly

JACKSON Hamilton lives for competition and there will be no better stage to show his skill than the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, should he achieve his goal to get there.

The Shenton College student has a rare genetic condition called X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, leaving him with between five and 10 per cent vision.

But the hard-working Daglish resident continues to thrive, dominating junior shot put, discus and javelin.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

He hopes, with continued effort, to make the Australian Paralympic team travelling to Tokyo in three years time.

“It’s just a goal at this stage but it’s definitely something to aim for,” he said.

“It would mean a lot to me because I’ve trained a lot.”

The 14-year-old has had a stellar 2016-17, winning two golds and a silver at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Sydney, more gold at the Australian All Schools Athletics Championships in Canberra and earning multiple spots on top of the medal podium at the State Athletics Championships in Perth.

The wins were topped by selection to the Athletics WA Target Talent Program and UWA’s Field Athlete of the Year award.

The teen will build towards Tokyo by competing at the All Schools Athletics Championships in December and is also looking to qualify for the World Junior Para Athletics Championships in Switzerland in 2018.

Jackson’s proud mum Amy said her son does not let obstacles stand in his way.

“He’s had three operations in the last year and has another in a few weeks,” she said.

“He’s worked really hard, kept training and kept positive.”