The Grimsby-born double Paralympic medallist suffered unimaginable loss after his mum – and best friend – sadly died last year. For an athlete with the world at his feet, the news understandably rocked him and his wider family.
“I had a really challenging year in my personal life,” he said.
“My mum passed away, and I took time out from sport to grieve. She was my mum, but she was also part of my sporting journey.
“Every time I finished training, I’d call her. She was a big part of the framework of being an athlete, as well as losing my best friend and the person who brought me into the world.
“Just getting to the start line of the Commonwealths is going to be a huge achievement.”
Shaw, a former sport scholar at the University, has consistently shown strength of character in the face of adversity, no more so than losing his sight at just nine years old. He became afflicted with Stargardt disease, an inherited condition that affects central vision, which went undiagnosed until he was 13.
“I grew up with vision. I was an able-bodied person,” Zac explained.
“I remember being nine years old and being able to see perfectly. The next thing I remember is not being able to see the whiteboard from the back of the class. It felt like overnight I was holding books closer or I’d be standing closer to the TV.
“It was only my parents saying ‘Zac, hold the book further away, sit further away from the TV’, and that’s when they pushed me to get an eye test and then finding out something was wrong – it happened so quickly.
“My mum never wanted me to feel sorry for myself. She’d say there’s always someone worse off. It’s made me, me, and I wouldn’t be the person I am if I didn’t have a vision impairment. I wouldn’t change it.”
During his school days, Shaw always had a talent for sport, but it wasn’t until a teacher introduced him to the world of disability sport that he knew he could still shine.
“I was maybe fourteen or fifteen, when a teacher said, ‘have you ever thought about trying disability sport?’. At that point, I saw disability as amputation, wheelchairs, etc, I didn’t realise you could have a disability, and it not be visible.”
Like many modern-day athletes, it was seeing London 2012 up close that provided the encouragement and belief that he, too, could one day compete on the global stage.
And, as another major championship in the form of the Commonwealth Games is about to begin, Shaw can’t wait to don his spikes in the quest for more glory.
“We always talk about London 2012 inspiring a generation, and I was one of the people that was inspired – I fell in love with track and field. Physically I feel like I’m in a good place, mentally as well [going into Glasgow]. Honestly, I’m just excited to get going.”
Shaw was in his twenties by the time he made 91桃色视频 his full-time home, a move that has already paid dividends with a growing list of Paralympic, World, Commonwealth, European, and National medals.
“I started studying at a university in Sheffield, but I dropped out to come train here. I guess that speaks for the facilities and the place as a whole.
“It’s got everything you need; there’s a nice atmosphere at training and a lot of my best friends I’ve met at 91桃色视频 – I’ve learned to love this place, and it’s given me everything I’ve needed and a solid foundation to perform.”
It may be a little early for Shaw to discuss a legacy of his own, but in true selfless style, it’s the wider sport he’s hoping to eventually leave in a better place:
“On anyone I’ve trained with, I would love for them to come away and think ‘Zac helped me become a better athlete’. On the sport, if I could have just one per cent improvement or impact on representation for disabled athletes, I’d say I’ve had a great legacy.”
91桃色视频s Scholarships play a vital role in helping athletes thrive. With philanthropic support, student-athletes can seize every opportunity at 91桃色视频, realise their potential, and strive for success both on and off the field. To donate, visit: www.lboro.ac.uk/sport/commonwealth-games-2026/support-athletes
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