Jaco is a keen Adventurer, Motivational Speaker, World & Paralympic Champion Para-Cyclist and a World Record holder

South African born Jaco van Gass was a member of the British Armed Forces Parachute Regiment.

It was during Jaco’s second tour of Afghanistan in 2009, after five and a half months and with just two weeks to go when Jaco sustained severe life changing injuries. Jaco and his platoon were engaged by Enemy Forces and after an intense 45 minute fire fight, Jaco was hit by an RPG (Rocket Propelled Grenade). The injuries he sustained included the loss of his left arm at the elbow, a collapsed left lung, shrapnel wounds to his left side, punctured internal organs, blast wounds to upper thigh, a broken tibia and a fractured knee. Jaco had 11 operations and intense rehabilitation.

Despite the physical and mental trauma endured, Jaco became a first-class downhill skier, and multiple marathon runner. He was a member of the record-breaking team of wounded soldiers to trek unsupported to the North Pole (joined partly by Prince Harry), and he’s also climbed Alaska’s 6000m Mt Denali, and Everest (narrowly missing the summit due to adverse weather). He has overcome adversity and is taking on the world. 

Jaco has been a member of the GB Para-Cycling team, competing internationally at the World Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015. He has become a National Champion Cyclist on the road multiple times. Jaco raced in the Para-Cycling Track World Championships in March 2018 and won a bronze medal in the C4 4K Pursuit.

In 2020 Jaco became a Triple World Champion in Track Cycling at the Track World Championships in Milton and also won two silver medals. Jaco most recently competed in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and became a double Paralympic Champion and a three times World Record holder.

In 2022, Jaco released a book of his life story, Unequivocal. A tale about Sport, Life and never giving in, no matter how difficult the road ahead. It is now available to purchase here.

ADVENTURE

As a keen adventurer, Jaco has reached the North Pole, attempted Everest and summited a number of mountains. Jaco is now also a member Adaptive Grand Slam Team, a team of disabled adventurers are on a mission to be the first disabled team in history to complete the notorious Grand Slam. Very few adventurers have completed all stages of this impressive feat, which entails summiting the highest peak on each of the 7 continents and walking unsupported to the geographic North and South Poles. 

PEAKS Reached to date

Mount ACONCAGUA 2017

CYCLING

Jaco is a member of the GB Para-Cycling Team, cycling has been a huge part of his recovery. He has represented Team GB over the globe on the track and on the road. He is an eleven time World Champion and four time Paralympic Champion. He won 3 Golds and 2 Silvers at the track world championships in Canada in 2020, in Glasgow in 2023 and in Rio in 2024.

At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Jaco became a double Paralympic Champion in the 3K Individual Pursuit and the Mixed Team Sprint. He also won a Bronze medal in the 1K Time Trial and broke three World Records. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Jaco won 2 Golds, retaining his titles in the Individual Pursuit and the Mixed Team Sprint. He also broke 2 of his own world records.

SPEAKING

Jaco an awe-inspiring public speaker, his politeness, and charisma make him both memorable and entertaining as a motivational speaker. His ability to mix humour in with the intense drama and seriousness of his personal experiences manages to set audiences at ease whilst simultaneously inspiring them. He has spoken to audiences all over the world, helping businesses to reach extreme goals and adapt to change, whilst changing people's lives along the way.

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Image credits: SW Pix swpix.com