Profile

My name is Ian Marsden. I was a member of the British Powerlifting Team for a number of years, and this is an account of my sporting career from when I was an able bodied competitor to becoming a wheelchair athlete.

When I was able bodied I won my first title at the British Open Powerlifting Championships in 1989. This started a major chain of wins, holding British and European titles, and breaking all the records for the teenage and junior classes.

My best achievement was in the World Championships in 1992 where I won the World and European title; and smashed three World, four European and six British records. I was also named best lifter, and also received a special commendation from the Sports Council for my achievements over the years.

I suffered a spinal injury which resulted from a long-term and undiagnosed problem and became wheelchair bound. Since then I dreamed of competing at international level again and discovered handcycling. This enables wheelchair bound athletes to cycle at high speeds in specially-designed handcycles. These use upper body power and arm strength to steer and race the bikes.

I have raced handbikes internationally for over six years now, representing Great Britain. Handcycling is the biggest disabled sport in the world and in this country we have the United Kingdom Handcycling Association (UKHCA). This well-established organisation is part of the British Cycling Federation, the European Handcycling Circuit (EHC), and the World Handcycling Federation.

I was the only rider selected to represent Great Britain in the Pre-Paralympic Games, Rome 2004. Competing in two road races and a time trial, the competition was extremely hard, but I won Bronze for Great Britain.

I compete annually in the European Handbike Circuit (EHC), a series of races held in France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Czech Republic, Holland, Austria, and Great Britain (Tour of Britain, London) and this event attract the world's elite handcyclists. Around two-hundred riders compete in the EHC between April and October, making it one of the hardest-contested circuits in the world.

The 2006 season began well with me being voted Disabled Sports Person of the Year by Stoke on Trent sports council, and overall Male Sports Personality beating able bodied athletes, for the second year running.

I am now Number One in the UK, winning the National Time Trial Championships and gaining the National Leader's Jersey for the second consecutive year. Also winning many other UK races including the Grand prix series: ten gruelling road races and time trials around the UK.

I am in the top five in Europe after competing in the European Handcycling Circuit during the 2005/6 season. The European Handcycling Circuit came to the UK for the first time in 2005 where I became the only UK rider to gain a podium place.

My best International result was in Slovakia at the European Cup: I won first place in the road race and a fantastic second in the time trial - the first time a UK rider has ever achieved this.

I am happily married to Maya and we have three lovely young children and so I am always busy juggling family live, work and sport.

I rely on the goodwill and sponsorship of local companies and private supporters and hope that you will follow my success in future events. Please visit the other sections on this website to learn about my events and sponsors. If you'd like to become a sponsor, I'd love to hear from you. Contact info@ianmarsden.com