Dave McCalman is a three-time Paralympic medalist for New Zealand.
In 1980 he misjudged the depth of the water when hejumpedinto a water hole and sustained serious spinal injuries.
Following his disability, he moved into able-bodied basketball coaching, leading teams to national titles before later taking up para-athletics.
In Barcelona in 1992 he made his paralympic debut entering in the javelin, becoming New Zealand Paralympian number 80.
He won a javelin silver medal at the 1996 Paralympic Games and two golds in javelin and the restored pentathlon at the Sydney 2000 Paralympics.
Dave McCalman recently retired after 19 years working for the Helberg Foundation, but is still very involved in sport, and he's published a book on his life.
The book is called Here's to Life and All That Jazz.
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Full Show Podcast: 19 April 2026
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