Angus Hincksman - Para Athletics

Born in Adelaide in 2005, Angus Hincksman was diagnosed with a brain injury at birth, shortly afterwards the doctors and his family began preparing for a future where walking wasn’t a certainty. He has dealt with years of seizures, physiotherapy, doctors’ appointments, serial castings, walking in Ankle Foot Orthotics and having to sleep in splints.

Angus began running in early 2015 (age 9) at Tatachilla Lutheran College where he qualified for his school Cross Country team and Oakbank in the able body category.  Novita (who were supporting Angus’ disability needs) explained that he could run against other children with his type of disability to achieve a fair result. Angus was classified shortly before his Oakbank race as a T38 which is reserved for athletes with mild Cerebral Palsy, a condition that effects muscle control, balance and coordination.

Angus joined Mid Coast little athletics club for a season and progressed to Southern Athletics club at the age of 12. Angus’ first step towards international success was to claim all National Age records for his classification – which he has achieved most of them in both the 800m and 1500m. Following this success, Angus was proud to nominated in South Australian School Sports Junior Athlete of the Year award in 2017.

In 2018 he claimed his first age group National titles in the 800m and 1500m.  From 2018, with support from his coach, Angus gained confidence on the National stage in both cross country and on the track.

Angus broke the National Open T38 5000m as well as the U16 T38 records for both 1500m and 800m and received a Scholarship to attend Westminster School at the end of 2020. Over the years Angus has been supported by coaches Mike Butler (in SAPSASA) and Simon Moran in his progression to senior. He has also been enabled by Athletics South Australia who developed him through their Athletics Academy, Targeted Talent Program and their Emerging Athlete program and this year he has been categorised as a NASS athlete.

2022 was an exceptional year for Angus. Claiming two golds in the 800m and 1500m able body events at the U18 State Championships and claimed silver at the Australian Track and Field Championships that year, breaking the national Under 20 record.

2023 was Angus’ International Debut at just 17 he competed at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris and came away with a Bronze. Angus has his eyes firmly set on 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Questions

The best thing about being a SASI Athlete:

The coaches and the warm family environment

My favourite food to fuel me as an Athlete:

Avocado on Toast.

My favourite movie:

How to train a dragon.

My favourite colour:

Yellow & Purple.

My sporting hero and why:

My Dad playing A-Grade Cricket.

My favourite possession:

My Golf Clubs.

The sporting activity I most like performing:

Golf.

If I wasn’t doing my current sport I would like to be:

A golfer.

The most important things in life:

Family, my dog and my golf clubs.

My ambassador activity tip:

Stay consistent

My favourite way to keep active:

Kicking the footy with my dad.

The sport I like watching the most:

Golf.

What sporting success looks like:

The Paralympics.