Peter Norfolk OBE is part of the Tennis Foundation's Wheelchair Tennis Performance Programme and has been selected by the British Paralympic Association to represent ParalympicsGB at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He will compete in the quad division at Eton Manor in the Olympic Park.
Home Town: Middlesex
Lives: Hampshire
Trains: National Tennis Centre, Roehampton
Previous Games: Athens 2004, Beijing 2008
When Peter discovered Wheelchair Tennis at a demonstration at Stoke Mandeville he was inspired by the sport and realised the benefits, both physical and mental, of the game.After playing Wheelchair Tennis in the men's Open Division at an international level, Peter had to restart his career as a Quad player following spinal surgery.
Now affectionately known as the Quadfather, Peter made history at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games when he won Britain's first ever medals in Wheelchair Tennis – a gold in the Quad Singles and a silver in Quad Doubles, where he played alongside Mark Eccleston.
Continuing to acquire titles on the touring circuit, Peter secured two medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, winning the Quad Singles event in addition to securing the bronze medal in the Quad Doubles event where he competed alongside Jamie Burdekin.
In addition to Wheelchair Tennis, Peter enjoys Handcycling and driving.
He is a partner in his own company, Equipment for the Physically Challenged, a specialist mobility company.
In 1979, Peter had a motorcycle accident which left him with a spinal cord injury at T4/5 level.
Peter tells us the high standards he's set for himself as he looks ahead to his third Paralympic Games.
"My aim is to win two gold medals in London," said Peter. "If I don't then I would have to say that I've failed in reaching my goal.
"It's a blunt assessment but I've always set myself high standards so I'm hardly going to change that going into what is probably the biggest competition I've ever played in."
He believes the success of the Team GB at the Olympics should hopefully inspire his fellow Paralympic athletes to follow in their glorious footsteps.
"You can't deny it's been inspiring," Norfolk said. "Of course it can act as a springboard for us. Because of their success there is more pressure on us to win gold but I'm confident we can perform as a team.
"Paralympic sport in general is more competitive than ever; I think performance wise it's as good as it's ever been. It will all make for a fantastic spectacle when the Games finally begin."
Find out more about Peter on the British Paralympic Association website.
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