Perth Voice Interactive

BRANT GARVEY has qualified for the triathlon elite world championship in Canada.

The Stirling paratriathlete secured his berth by finishing second in ITU world triathlon in Chicago.

Broiled in mid-thirties humidity, Garvey finished with a time of 01:16:03, about three minutes behind US winner Mark Barr.

Taking silver catapulted him to first place in the PT2 world disability class world rankings.

This year Garvey became the world record holder for the fastest above-the-knee amputee to complete an ironman triathlon.

Garvey has been selected for the elite Australian paratriathlon team in preparation for the 2016 paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“In many ways, my disability has made me the man I am today,” he says.

“Overcoming obstacles have been a big part of my life and it has always motivated me to do better, push harder and persevere.

“I’ve learned that success means working very hard, falling down sometimes, getting back up and giving it another go.”

Garvey started triathlon training a little over a year ago, when he decided to give running a try while walking his dogs.

“I fell flat on my face the first time, but I persisted and trained very hard,” he laughs.

“That I actually got this far and was even selected for the Australian paratriathlon team in preparation for the 2016 paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, is just indescribable.”

Garvey has also qualified for the ironman world championship in Hawaii, where he will compete against disabled and able-bodied athletes.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK