At age 20, van Gass emigrated from South Africa to England to join the British Armed Forces. By 2007, he completed his training and joined the parachute regiment of the British Army. His military career ended in 2009 due to injuries sustained in a rocket-propelled grenade attack.

Transition to Para Cycling

Van Gass was inspired by the athletes at the London Paralympics. He decided to transition from being a spectator to becoming an athlete. "I was sitting in the crowds looking at these athletes performing at such a high level," he said. This inspiration led him to pursue Para cycling seriously.

Achievements and Recognition

One of van Gass's most memorable moments came when he won gold in the C3 3km pursuit at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. His achievements earned him recognition as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2022 New Year's Honours list.

Philosophy and Motivational Speaking

Van Gass lives by the philosophy, "Success is not final, failure is not final. It's the courage to continue that counts." This mindset has driven him through various challenges and successes, making him a sought-after motivational speaker.

Adventurous Spirit

In addition to his athletic career, van Gass is an accomplished adventurer. In 2011, he participated in a charity trek to the North Pole as part of a four-man expedition for Walking With The Wounded. They completed the 190-mile trek in 13 days.

He also attempted to summit Mount Everest in 2012 but was thwarted by bad weather. However, he successfully summitted Mount McKinley in Alaska in 2013 and Mount Aconcagua in Argentina in 2017.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, van Gass aims to compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. His journey from a soldier to an athlete continues to inspire many.

Book Release

In 2022, van Gass released his book titled 'Jaco van Gass: Unequivocal - My Story'. The book documents his life as a soldier, how he sustained his impairment, and his journey to becoming an athlete.

Van Gass's story is one of resilience and determination. From overcoming severe injuries to achieving success on the global stage, he continues to inspire many with his journey.