Haseeb Ahmad
GBR Blind World Record Ironman
Haseeb Ahmad is a triathlon gold medallist who set a Blind world record in the Ironman Triathlon. He has also worked in equality and diversity for 25 years. At the age of 10, Haseeb lost his sight due to the incurable condition Retinitis Pigmentosa. However this was only diagnosed at age 17.
Haseeb has dedicated his working life to developing equality and diversity programmes, making services and buildings more accessible. As Head of Equality and Diversity at Nottingham City Council he took the Council to the highest level of the Equality Framework for Local Government. In his current role as Head of EDI at Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Haseeb establishes community and staff engagement networks, involving disabled people in key decisions and improving access to career opportunities.
Haseeb joined the Great Britain para-triathlon team, in 2009, at 38 years old. His accolades include two World Championship and three European medals. He ran the 2014 London Triathlon in under three hours and went on to compete in Ironman challenges. In 2016 he broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest Blind Ironman.
In 2017 Haseeb wrote his autobiography ‘From Blindman to Ironman’. He gives motivational talks, mentors other disabled athletes, helps blind athletes find sighted guides and also trains guides.
He says: “When I first was registered Blind at the age of 17 in 1987 I wondered what opportunities lay ahead of me. The future was extremely uncertain. If I knew then what I know now I might have entered the world of sport sooner. However, my lived experience has shaped the individual I am now. This is the very reason why I wrote my book and shared my powerful story; in order to inspire and motivate others. The depths of our potential as people with disabilities is limitless. I am proof of this fact.”
When I first was registered Blind at the age of 17 in 1987 I wondered what opportunities lay ahead of me. The future was extremely uncertain. If I knew then what I know now I might have entered the world of sport sooner. However, my lived experience has shaped the individual I am now. This is the very reason why I wrote my book and shared my powerful story; in order to inspire and motivate others. The depths of our potential as people with disabilities is limitless. I am proof of this fact.