TRIATHLON

Sight-impaired IRONMAN hopeful awarded Tony Jackson Scholarship

By Sports Media NZ Ltd

Auckland’s Michele Gunn, who has suffered loss of sight and injury from a life-threatening motor accident, is the third recipient of the Tony Jackson Scholarship to participant in the 2017 Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō.

The scholarship celebrates the late Tony Jackson, who completed the first 28 annual IRONMAN New Zealand events but passed away in 2014. As well as his feat as a participant, Jackson was instrumental in encouraging other “ordinary” people to achieve the extraordinary feat of an IRONMAN, and also raised many thousands of dollars for charity in the process.

Gunn, 24, is looking to overcome the loss of an eye, numerous surgeries and other personal trauma by taking on the test of IRONMAN New Zealand next March.

The 24 year old suffered as the result of a serious vehicle accident 10 years ago, and since that time has undergone more than 20 surgeries to her face, and more recently had her eye removed.
Additionally during this challenging time and at a young age, she lost her mother suddenly and along with her family, is supporting her father’s battle with cancer.

Gunn decided to take a positive approach to her own predicament through running while she was at university where she graduated with a degree in maths and finance. Last year she supported her sister who took part in IRONMAN New Zealand in Taupō and was smitten by the occasion.

She had to cope with the challenge of riding a bike on the open road without the sight of her right eye. Gunn completed the Ironmaori event late last year and wanted to set her focus on IRONMAN New Zealand which she says is both “exciting and scary.”

Recently moved to Auckland to work for a start-up company, Gunn said the scholarship benefits will enable her to get the all-important coaching from well-known triathlon coach, Andrew McKay at Boost Coaching. The scholarship also includes complimentary entry, accommodation at the Hilton Lake Taupō for training, a bike tuning fit with Performance Bicycle Tuning and other support.

“I’ve read about Tony Jackson and what he achieved in this event and also how he inspired so many others. I want to achieve this event for myself and my family but also to honour the legacy that he has established.”

Details: www.ironmannewzealand.com