Connor Douglas hoping for Tokyo Paralympic call up
Connor Douglas is hoping to hear soon whether he can start packing his bags for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Despite only taking up track cycling less than three years ago, the Cycling Southland rider has made a definite impression with support from Academy Southland, the SIT Southern Performance Hub and Paralympics New Zealand's Para-Cycling squad.
At the Cycling NZ national elite and under 19 track championships on the SIT Velodrome earlier this month, Connor won silver in the individual pursuit and bronze in the 1000m time trial.
He went within .4sec of his personal best in the time trial, despite riding in an unfamiliar aero position, and both results were within the B standard for Tokyo. Connor has previously met the A standard times and is hoping he gets selected.
“I was pretty stoked with my results. I was looking to be top of the podium, but I’ll settle for second and third. That will give me the motivation for next year to push for that number one spot,” he said.
“As soon as I’ve been given the call (about Tokyo) I’ll be sorting my training routines out and ensuring I’m as fit as I can be. That would be an experience and a half. Further on from that, if the Covid thing dies down a bit, worlds is looking like my next big event, followed by the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympics in Paris.”
Connor’s life changed four years ago when he was involved in a freak accident on the Invercargill BMX track which left him in a coma for eight days.
He suffered four facial fractures and a diffuse axonal injury of the brain.
“It’s not just, ‘have a head injury, recover and continue with normal life’. As one of my rehab nurses explained, it’s quite a journey to go on. It’s a journey I’m glad to be overcoming, I don’t think I’ll ever get to point B, but I’m thankful for where I am and the support I have around me.
“Life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. I’m glad I’ve overcome a major down and I’m thankful I’m still here and can continue life in the best way possible.”
Connor made an immediate impression when he first arrived at the SIT Velodrome two-and-a-half years ago, raising eyebrows with his speed and power.
He now works under national Para-cycling coaches Laura Thompson and Dale MacDonald, Performance Hub coach Sid Cumming and local sprint coach Euguene Bonthuys.
He’s also spent the past two years in the Academy Southland programme.
“I get a wicked amount of support, it’s pretty much all I could ask for. The Academy has been awesome, not just on the bike, but off the bike as well in terms of managing day-to-day life and learning to balance the athlete life with personal life,” he said.
“I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity they have given me. I’m glad to work alongside them and into the future.”
The support provided not just by his own family, but his wider network had also been huge in his development, he said.
Away from the track, Connor has qualified as an instructor on the Clip ‘n’ Climb at ILT Stadium Southland and is studying towards a Sport and Recreation diploma at the Southern Institute of Technology.
It’s likely that he will look to move to Cambridge in the next few years to spend more time in the national Para-cycling environment.
