Jaco van Gass was born in South Africa. At the age of 20, he flew to England hoping to follow his dream of joining the British Armed Forces. By mid 2007, Jaco had completed his training and he joined the well respected 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 and incredibly, he survived.

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 his road bike multiple times. 

Jaco's love for adventure continued, in September 2016, he summited Grand Paradiso, Italy's highest point as part of the AGS team, who are striving to break records by being the first disabled team to complete the notorious 'Grand Slam'. In November and December 2016, Jaco is cycling the Carretera Austral, a 1200km mostly dirt highway in the remote Patagonia, Southern Chile. In June 2017, Jaco with a team of 7 others, completed the Race Across America, cycling from West to East in 6 days. In March 2018, Jaco returned to competing for the Great Britain Para-Cycling team, and won Bronze in the C4 4K Pursuit in Rio De Janiero.

In 2019, Jaco and a team mate Stu Croxford became the first disabled team to complete the ABSA Cape Epic. Later that year he was selected for the Para-Cycling Road World Championships in Emmen, where he won a Silver medal. In January 2020, he represented Great Britain at the Para-Cycling Track World Championships in Milton, Canada. He became a Triple World Champion and won two silver medals across five events.

Jaco has always dreamed of becoming a Paralympian. He was selected for Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games in 2021. He became a Double Paralympic Champion in the 3K Pursuit and the Mixed Team Sprint, he won a Bronze medal in the 1K Time Trial and became a three time World Record Holder. At the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, he won 2 Golds, retaining his title in the 3K Individual Pursuit and the Mixed Team Sprint. He also broke 2 of his own World Records.

Jaco is a fascinating motivational speaker, visiting businesses, charities and organisations across the world, telling his story, inspiring others by helping them to reach new goals and adapt to change. He shares the highs and lows of his journey, for which there has been many, helping people to be inspired and motivated to take on the challenges they are facing and believe that they can achieve anything.

FOLLOW