Dan Greaves

Loughborough alumnus Dan Greaves has become the first Briton to win a medal in athletics at six successive Paralympic Games. Image: Still Sport Photography.

Alumnus Greaves makes history with sixth successive Paralympic medal

Loughborough University alumnus Dan Greaves has made history by becoming the first Briton to win a medal in athletics at six successive Paralympic Games.

The discus thrower recorded a distance of 53.56m in the men’s F64 category to claim bronze on a cold and wet night at the National Stadium in Tokyo.

Greaves has now added yet another medal to his personal collection following an unbelievable Paralympic career. The 38-year-old has made the podium at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and now, Tokyo 2020.

In Japan, the United States’ Jeremy Campbell took gold (60.22m) and Ivan Katanusic of Croatia won silver (55.06).

An emotional Greaves later told Channel 4:

"Had you have told me in Sydney in 2000, when I was 18 years-old that I'd go to a further five games, I probably would have laughed in your face and not believed you. To still be here and winning medals is a dream come true.

"I'm slightly frustrated with the performance but under the conditions I'm proud of how I handled the situation. I tried to capitalise on the conditions and I'm so chuffed to walk away with a medal. You have to adapt and it's like a rainy day in Manchester right?

"55m is something I can do with my eyes closed so I'm frustrated about that but it's another medal at my sixth games and it's a lifelong ambition to walk away with a medal each time.

"I've really missed my family, I haven't really spoken to them since I've been here because I didn't want them to miss me that much. Henry has just started school and Matilda is still at pre-school. I can't wait to walk through that front door and show them how daddy's won a medal. It will mean the world to them.

"My training now isn't about my personal gain, it's to show them that if you're dedicated, hardworking and committed, you can achieve anything."

Loughborough University has launched a new initiative for those looking to support the future of Para sport on campus. By supporting the Para Sport programme, individuals can make a profound impact to a young person’s life. To find out more and how to donate, click HERE.

For more information on Loughborough and its presence at the Paralympic Games, visit the dedicated website HERE.

Notes for editors

Press release reference number: 21/189

Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.

It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2021 QS World University Rankings and University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2019.

Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 7th in the Guardian University League Table 2021, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 7th in The UK Complete University Guide 2022.

Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.

The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.

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