David Ellis

As the top vision impaired (PTVI) athlete in his division for years, Dave Ellis finally has the opportunity to bring his talents to the next level with Tokyo 2020 in mind.

His category was confirmed for the 2020 Paralympic programme, a joyous news after being left out of Rio 2016 where the sport made its Paralympic debut.

Ellis has won the last two Para Triathlon World Championships and will go for a hat-trick in Lausanne, Switzerland. It would round off a perfect 2019 season for Ellis and his guide Mark Buckingham with the pair ending 2018 with five out of five wins on the international circuit. The record was even more impressive considering Ellis and Buckingham were only first paired last April.

Ellis was first introduced to Para triathlon at a talent identification day in February 2013. Three world titles, three European titles, and multiple international wins – he has already accomplished a lot. In fact, only twice has the British triathlete finished below second in his international career.

Before he discovered triathlon, Ellis was hoping to compete in swimming at his home London 2012 Paralympics, having competed in Beijing four years before. But he missed out on a place on the team by 0.09 seconds.