Rob Matthews MBE
Don't talk to Rob Matthews about pain. He has endured more than most of us can imagine. Matthews inherited Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) from his father Aubrey. His eye sight deteriorated in childhood and he was blind by the age of 20. For a time Rob struggled with self pity, but this was short lived and he soon found focus and inspiration in running and later cycling. Rob believes that he’s not blind, it’s just that he can’t see.
Rob Matthew’s has had more than his fair share of challenges, firstly losing his eye sight, then facing losing his first wife, Kath, to a blockage in the brain when she was aged only 38. Matthews’ has the view that it’s your attitude to life that dictates the outcome.
Matthews’ has lived an action packed life, running and cycling his way around the world, meeting royalty and heads of state before marrying Auckland interior designer, Sarah Kerr, and moving to New Zealand where his two children were born, his son, Thomas Aubrey Matthews and three years later his daughter Molly Chelsea Matthews.
After 23 years running for Great Britain, Rob represented New Zealand for the first time when he competed in the 2009 World Paralympic Triathlon Championships in Australia where he won the Silver medal. Since this time Rob’s focus has been on tandem cycling. He has competed for New Zealand in two World Para-cycling Championships in Canada and Denmark, two World Para-cycling Cups in Canada and Australia and the Oceania Para-cycling Championships in Australia. At these events he has won two bronze medals and is placed in the top ten Paralympic cyclists in the world.
Rob Matthew’s ultimate goal is to cycle for New Zealand at the Paralympic Games in London 2012.
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