How Jonathan traded slam dunks for high jumps

The 36-year-old ParalympicsGB high jump champion, who will defend his title in Paris, started refining his gravity-defying leaps whilst shooting hoops at the age of 10.

Basketball was a safe space where he could compete without anyone being aware he had a condition called talipes equinovarus that affects his left foot and lower leg.

Jonathan said, “When I was younger, I was a bit embarrassed by my impairment. My left leg was skinnier and as I grew up it was getting skinnier. The good thing about basketball was the boots would come up really high and the basketball shorts would go down really low, so it was almost hiding in plain sight.

“Nowadays I’m not worried about my leg, but up until university, no one really knew about it because I hid it so well. It wasn’t until there was a photo taken that showed how skinny my lower leg was that people noticed.”

Jonathan, who is from Colchester, first tried high jumping as a student at Loughborough University. It took time to adapt to the rigours of a different sport, but the years spent competing in able-bodied sport had honed his ruthlessly competitive side.

He said, “To get my body moving in a particular way was very challenging at the start. But I’ve never had a coach that has pandered to my foot. It has always been ‘let’s see what you can get out of it.’”

Jonathan is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. It allows him to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support.

He said, “The funding I get from The National Lottery is a huge help. It means I don’t have to worry about finances and I can get the right environment outside of sport to fuel the sport. It has been invaluable for my career.”

For the stars of ParalympicsGB, your ticket is their ticket to Paris.

As he looks forward to a third tilt at a Paralympic medal, Jonathan is confident he and his team have done all that is necessary to earn a place on the podium.

He said, “I have learned that communication is the biggest and most important thing. I have had the kick up the backside when I need it, but I have also had the supportive conversations I need to pick myself up as it doesn’t always go right.

“Sometimes you have bad sessions and that’s when you need support; at other times it’s having a rocket to get you to your very best.”

You can watch Jonathan and his coach Deirdre Elmhirst discuss the links between basketball and high jump below:

30th August 2024

Photo credit: All photos by imagecomms