Ian James Marsden (born 25 January 1972 in Stafford[1]) is a British paracanoeist, hand cyclist and was previously a champion powerlifter.[2] He won a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in the Men's KL1 200m.[3]

Ian Marsden
Personal information
Full nameIan James Marsden
Nationality Great Britain
Born (1972-01-25) 25 January 1972 (age 52)
Stafford, England
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight68 kg (150 lb)
Sport
SportParacanoe
Disability classKL1
ClubTrentham Canoe Club
Coached byColin Radmore
Medal record
Men's paracanoeing
Representing  Great Britain
Paralympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2016 Rio de Janeiro KL1
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2013 Duisburg K-1 A
Silver medal – second place 2014 Moscow K-1 A
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 2013 Montemor-o-Velho K-1 A
Gold medal – first place 2014 Brandenburg K-1 A
Gold medal – first place 2015 Račice K-1 A
Silver medal – second place 2017 Plovdiv K-1 A
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Poznań KL1

Personal life

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Marsden began his professional life as a microbiologist.[4][5]

Sporting career

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Powerlifting

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Before sustaining a spinal injury, Marsden competed as a non-disabled athlete at the British Open Powerlifting Championships, and titled in 1989 when he was 17.[4] He holds 3 world records.[6]

Handcycling

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After the spinal injury, he became the "first British male to win a podium position"[7] on the European Handcycling Circuit (EHC).[4]

Shooting

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In the 10m air rifle category, Marsden won a silver and bronze medal at world level.[8] He was due to compete in London 2012, but health complications prevented this.[6]

Paracanoe

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Marsden has mentioned that he was asked numerous times if he wanted to try Paracanoe (during his handcycling career and shooting).[4] He took up the offer of regular training at Nottingham and joined the Paracanoe GB Sprint Team,[9][10] representing Team Great Britain since 2013. He won a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.[3]

Injury

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Marsden sustained a spinal injury powerlifting, which caused his hospitalisation and eventually introducing him to the world of handcycling. However, after competing on the European circuit for a number of years, Marsden was once again hospitalised, and it was discovered that he had a rare motor neuron condition.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Ian Marsden | British Canoeing". www.britishcanoeing.org.uk. Retrieved 17 November 2016.
  2. ^ "Rio 2016: Ian Marsden's journey from powerlifter to Paralympic hopeful on water". BBC Sport. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Ian Marsden". Rio2016.com. Rio 2016 Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 4 November 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d "ianmarsden.com". www.ianmarsden.com. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  5. ^ "Trentham's Ian Marsden wins bronze at Paralympics". Stoke Sentinel. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2017.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ a b c "Ian Marsden". rio.paralympics.org.uk. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  7. ^ ontrack2016. "Ian Marsden named in 2016 Paralympic Team | On Track Magazine". www.ontrackmagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Ian Marsden – 9BAR". 9bar.com. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Ian Marsden proud to be representing Great Britain at Paralympics". Stoke Sentinel. 26 August 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2017.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Nottingham-based quartet qualify for Rio 2016 Paralympic finals". Nottingham Post. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 8 February 2017.[permanent dead link]
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