Curt's life changed dramatically after an IED incident led to the amputation of both his legs. Determined to compete in the Paralympic Games, he initially tried archery and wheelchair basketball. However, it was a 1000km paddle event organised by Mates4Mates that ignited his passion for canoeing.

After the event, Curt researched Para canoe and contacted Andrea King, the national coach for Australia. He joined the team at their base in Gold Coast, QLD. Training six days a week under coach Shaun Caven, Curt found a new sense of purpose.

Paralympic Success

Curt made his debut for Australia at the 2014 World Championships in Moscow. He became the first Australian canoeist to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games by securing victory in the men's KL2 200m at Rio 2016. At Tokyo 2020, he won two gold medals in the men's KL2 200m and men's VL3 200m events.

These achievements made him the first canoeist from any nation to win three career Paralympic gold medals. His memorable moments include being the flag bearer for Australia at the closing ceremony of Rio 2016 and winning two gold medals at Tokyo 2020.

Awards and Recognition

Curt's accolades are numerous. He was named Sportsman of the Year at the 2016 World Paddle Awards and received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2017. In 2019, he was named Male Para Athlete of the Year at the AIS Awards and Para Sport Star of the Year at the Gold Coast Sport Star Awards.

In 2020, Paralympics Australia named him Male Athlete of the Year. He also won Paddler of the Year alongside Jessica Fox at the 2023 Paddle Australia Awards. Additionally, he was flag bearer for Australia at the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Championships in Duisburg.

Post-Tokyo Break and Public Speaking

After Tokyo 2020, Curt took a year-long break from high-performance sport. During this time, he engaged in public speaking across schools and events in Australia. He returned to competition in early 2023.

Personal Life and Philosophy

Curt is married to Rachel Martin and speaks English fluently. His hobbies include watching movies and spending time with friends. His personal hero is New Zealand rugby union player Richie McCaw, while his wife is his biggest influence.

Curt follows a unique pre-race ritual of not shaving the night before racing. His life philosophy is simple: "Give it your best."

Ambitions for Paris 2024

Curt aims to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. He looks forward to having friends and family on the sidelines, something that was missing during Tokyo 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Additional Information

In addition to his sporting achievements, Curt has contributed significantly off the field. After winning a gold medal at Rio 2016, he donated it to the Australian war memorial to inspire others. In 2021, he released his memoir titled 'Blood, Sweat and Steel'.

Curt's journey from a school camp canoeist to a decorated Paralympian is inspiring. His dedication and resilience continue to motivate many within and beyond sports circles.