The Olympics’ excitement continued into August and September as the Paralympic Games took centre stage in the vibrant city of Paris. Among the athletes proudly representing Ireland were four remarkable University College Dublin (UCD) alumni, showcasing their exceptional talent and unwavering determination. Their performances, marked by record-breaking feats and personal milestones, underscored their incredible athletic abilities and the inspiring journeys that brought them to the global stage.
UCD President Orla Feely shared her pride in the athletes’ achievements, remarking, “Their accomplishments inspire our students and the entire university community. We are immensely proud of them and wish them continued success as they pursue their Paralympic dreams, bringing honour to both Ireland and UCD.”
Colin Judge
Colin Judge, a distinguished para-table tennis player, represented Ireland in his second Paralympic Games. A recipient of the Ad Astra scholarship while studying Agriculture and Financial Studies at UCD, Judge has consistently defied expectations. Born without three limbs, he has never let his disability define his limits.
In 2019, he took a career break from his actuarial job to focus on full-time training for the Tokyo Paralympics. His dedication yielded success, including gold medals in both the singles and team events at the 2020 Polish Open and double bronze at the Spanish Open. Judge, who trains at the Sport Ireland Institute and competes for the UCD Table Tennis Club, delivered a strong performance in Paris, advancing to the round of 16 before falling to world number one Panfeng Feng.
Katie O’Brien
Katie O’Brien, a para-rower, made her Paralympic debut in Paris. While studying Veterinary Medicine at UCD, O’Brien was an active member of the university’s rowing club. Born with spina bifida, she was inspired to take up rowing after watching the 2012 Paralympics in London. Her hard work paid off, as she won a gold medal and a new world record in the PR2 W1x event at the 2022 World Championships.
In Paris, O’Brien competed in the PR2 mixed double sculls alongside her rowing partner, Tiarnán O’Donnell. The pair delivered a commendable performance, finishing 4th in their B final and securing 8th place overall.
Martin Gordon
Martin Gordon, a para-cyclist, represented Ireland in his second Paralympic Games in Paris. Gordon, a barrister by profession, also completed a Professional Certificate in Compliance at UCD. Competing with a vision impairment, Gordon races alongside pilot Eoin Mullen in tandem track cycling events.
In Paris, the duo set a new Irish record of 1:01:158 in the qualifying round of the men’s B 1,000m time trial at the Saint-Quentin-Yvelines Velodrome. Despite their record-breaking performance, Gordon and Mullen narrowly missed the podium, finishing 5th in the final.
Kerrie Leonard
Kerrie Leonard, a para-archer, made her second Paralympic appearance in Paris. Leonard, who graduated from UCD Smurfit Business School with a Master’s degree in Marketing, has had a remarkable journey. At the age of six, she became a wheelchair user following a life-altering accident that left her paralysed from the waist down.
She discovered archery at 12, and her dedication to the sport led her to a 9th-place finish at the Tokyo Paralympics. Leonard achieved a season-best score of 653 in the W2 Individual Compound event in Paris, earning a 21st-place overall finish.
Róisín Lambe – Sports Editor
