Chad Perris (WA)

DOB:  Jun 1992

Age: 

Classification: T13
Coach: Iryna Dvoskina
Instagram: @chadperris
Twitter: @chadperris
Occupation: Student (sport administration)
International Experience:
3 x World Championships (2013, 2015, 2017),
1 x Paralympics Games (2016)
Honours:
BRONZE – 2015 IPC World Championships – T13 100m SILVER – 2015 IPC World Championships – T13 200m BRONZE – 2016 Paralympic Games – T13 100m

Although still new to the para-athletics track, Chad ‘White Tiger’ Perris previewed his Paralympic potential at the 2013 IPC Championships in Lyon, France, where he broke the 200m national and Oceanian records, the Australian record having stood for 28 years.

Born with albinism affecting the pigment in his eyes, skin and hair, Chad only began competing in athletics as a way of keeping fit during the AFL off-season. Never having considered a pathway in para-athletics, it was only after joining Perth’s North Beach Athletics club that he shifted his attention to qualification for the Paralympic Games.

Since his stellar debut for Australia in 2013, Chad has continued to make waves, and in 2014 he was nominated alongside Paralympic powerhouses Kurt Fearnley and Michael Roeger for Athletics Australia’s Male Para-Athlete of the Year award.

After relocating to Canberra to train under world-renowned coach Iryna Dvoskina, Chad has continued his rise in the sport, culminating in his selection for the 2016 Paralympic Games.

Making his Paralympic debut in Rio, Chad exceeded expectations to win bronze behind Ireland’s Jason Smyth and Namibia’s Johannes Nambala in the 100m sprint.

Naming five-time Paralympic gold medallist Evan O’Hanlon as his greatest role model, Chad hopes to emulate Evan’s success over the next several years by breaking multiple world records.

The Bruce local completed a Certificate IV in Sport Development and Athlete Services in 2009 with his sights set on a career in sports administration following his retirement from athletics.