A TONBRIDGE athlete turned Team GB Paralympian and double European gold medallist has become an ambassador for Compaid, a disability charity in Paddock Wood.
Zak Skinner was born with a genetic visual impairment called ocular albinism, and began his training at Tonbridge Athletic Club, before moving to Loughborough for further coaching.
Despite its challenges, Zak’s athletic career has seen both local and international success.
He competes in the T-13 category in Long Jump, and the 100 metres for athletes with moderate visual impairment.
In 2021, Zak successfully competed in the World Para-Athletic European Championships, winning Gold in both events.
Later in 2021 he also took part in the Tokyo Paralympics, finishing fourth in the Long Jump and eighth in the 100 metres.
Compaid has been supporting Zak’s athletic career over the last two years by funding a leg recovery kit to aid his training towards the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Commenting on Zak’s athletic growth, Compaid CEO Stephen Elsden said: “It has been thrilling to see his para-athletic career progress.”
Zak has recently become an ambassador for Compaid, raising awareness for the work that Compaid does for disabled, older, and other disadvantaged people across Kent.
Zak commented: “It was an easy decision for me to want to link with Compaid, especially as it is also local to where I have grown up and began my athletics career.”
Having already achieved significant sporting success, Zak says that he is chasing bigger targets going forward, promising to ‘work even harder to achieve my goals at the Paralympics 2024’.
