Aggar (pictured above), who was paralysed in 2005 following a fall onto a concrete path that broke his back, took up rowing as part of the rehabilitation from his injury and has dominated the adaptive single scull class ever since.

He won gold at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and has claimed four world titles, the most recent of which came at the 2011 event in Bled, Slovenia.

But the 27-year-old Londoner said his five-strong support network, consisting of his coach, parents, brother and wife, have been the driving force behind his success and also his assault on 2012 Paralympic glory.


"Each of them individually has been really instrumental in getting me to where I am now in terms of as a person and looking towards the Games," Aggar said when discussing Links of London's 'Circle of 5' campaign, which suggests we rely on a core group of five people to be successful.

"Within my Circle of 5, my mentor would be my coach Tom [Dyson].

"My mum and dad are really key and without them, I obviously wouldn't be here.

"There is also my brother Joe and we have a really good relationship.

"Having him as a loyal friend and brother makes a big difference in my life.

"Then there is Vicky, my wife, who probably doesn't get to see me as much she would like to.

"But she used to row as well so she understands.

"All of them have been really instrumental at different times in my life so I can't imagine being here without them really."

Aggar's coach Dyson admits that he feels privileged to work with Aggar, who is arguably one of the greatest Paralympic rowers ever, having never lost a competitive race.


"I've been Tom's main coach since the end of 2008 so I took over his coaching just after he won his gold medal in Beijing and I've been coaching him through the last three years and obviously now in the Paralympic year going into London," Dyson said.

"Tom's an extraordinary guy.

"He has come back from a life changing incident but then has gone on and started medalling and winning straight away.

"He won the first World Championships that he was entered for which is incredible.

"He has then gone on to win year after year, race after race.

"He has done a very good job and hopefully he will continue to do a really good job of making sure the right guy comes out on the day."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]

 


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August 2011: Aggar firm favourite for gold as stars head to Slovenia for 2011 World Para-Rowing Championships