Matthew Cowdrey

Matthew Cowdrey's Biography

With a ‘can do’ attitude, Matt Cowdrey inspires all.  Matt is the greatest Australian Paralympian having won World Championship titles, Commonwealth and Paralympian gold, silver and bronze. A motivational speaker, Matt speaks of his journey and success.

 

At just 24 years of age, Matthew Cowdrey has already achieved Paralympic, World Championship and Commonwealth Games glory. A multiple world-record holder, the South Australian swimmer has become one of the top amputee athletes in the world.

Born with a congenital amputation to his lower left arm, Cowdrey has shown immense strength and courage to succeed and reach incredible heights in the world of swimming.

Cowdrey started swimming at the age of five and was determined to not just be as good as any able bodied person, but to be better. Having set his goals for success, Cowdrey quickly stamped his mark on his S9 classification, breaking his first Australian open record at age 11 and world record at age 13.

In 2004 he competed at the Paralympics in Athens where he won three gold, two silver and two bronze medals and finished the meet with two World & Paralympic Record times. His amazing achievements were recognised when he was named the Australian Swimmer of the Year with a Disability two years in a row and the 2005 Male Athlete of the Year at the Stan Wickham Disability Awards.

Cowdrey dominated the national titles in 2006, winning all eight of his events and breaking several world records to qualify for his first Commonwealth Games team. He continued to improve on his personal best times and became the only Australian male swimmer to win individual gold at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games – where he won gold in the men’s 50m and 100m EAD Freestyle events, both in world record time. His brilliant performances were recognised when he was awarded the Commonwealth Sports Award for most outstanding male elite athlete with a disability.

In 2012, Matt returned home from the London Paralympics as the Greatest ever Australian Paralympian.  Matt won a medal in every event in London – five gold, two silver and one bronze – to go with his eight medals from Beijing 2008. This included breaking his own world record in the 50m freestyle.  Matt followed this up the following year at the World Championships in Brazil with seven World Records, seven Gold medals and two Silver medals, which demonstrated the true versatility of this athlete, drawing many comparisons to Michael Phelps of America.

 

Matt currently trains in his home town of Adelaide where he also studies Law full time at Adelaide University.

Matt is a confident and articulate speaker, lending his time to charities and motivating workplaces and kids with his ‘can do’ attitude.

Speaking Topics Include

Overcoming disability and challenges
Tackling obstacles head on
Motivation speaker