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Kelly Cartwright OAM
PrintGold Medallist Paralympian and World Champion Sprinter
Kelly Cartwright is a Paralympian and multiple World Record holder sprinter. Kelly was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2014 Australia Day Honours “for service to sport as a Gold Medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games”.
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Testimonials for Kelly Cartwright OAM
Kelly was terrific. We had around 100 people in attendance with a range of age from retired to primary school. Everyone was quiet and you could hear a pin drop for around half an hour while she spoke. Kelly delivered her story and she was very well received by everyone. We had a number of questions which went for another half an hour. At the conclusion of question time Kelly returned to her table and spent some time in further discussion with a number of people. I would be happy to recommend Kelly to anyone considering her services in the future.
Alexandra Football/Netball Club
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Kelly Cartwright OAM's Biography
Gold Medallist Paralympian and World Champion Sprinter
Kelly Cartwright is a Paralympian and multiple World Record holder sprinter.
At the tender age of 15, after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in her right knee, she was forced to make a decision that would change the direction of her life. In November 2004, faced with the option of amputation or radical surgery to remove the cancer Kelly had her right leg amputated.
After a painstaking 3 months of rehabilitation, she was fitted with a prosthetic leg. Having learnt to walk again, and facing the reality that her netball career was over, she looked for a new direction. That direction was running.
With a growing passion for running, Kelly’s training intensified in pursuit of her next goal – to be the best above-knee amputee 100m sprinter in the world. Adding to her fast-growing list of achievements Kelly became the first above-knee amputee woman to climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in 2009. 2012 was by far Kelly’s biggest year. Drawing on all her training, she rose to the top in Long Jump, setting a new world record; claimed the gold medal; and ran a personal best in the 100m to claim silver in London.
Adding to the impressive achievements of this inspirational young woman, Kelly Cartwright was awarded an Order of Australia Medal in the 2014 Australia Day Honours “for service to sport as a Gold Medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games”.
After receiving the Order of Australia Medal, her drive for accomplishment focused towards powerlifting and set new Australian records at the National Championships, World Championships, and the Commonwealth Games in 2018.
While the trophy cabinet is looking healthy, Kelly's ultimate and most proud achievement has no doubt been the birth of her boys that will forever sit at the top.
Kelly has been an ambassador for Make-A-Wish Foundation Australia, Rare Cancers Australia and The START Foundation assisting amputees in reaching their sporting dream.
Kelly is in demand as a motivational speaker and is having a huge impact as a health and fitness model, and being a strong advocate in normalizing all shapes, sizes and disabilities.