"Paralympic silver medallist and former World and European Champion. World class success followed childhood eye cancer which left him disabled. Typically, he regarded it as a challenge, using his positive nature and zest for life to help him reach for sporting stardom. The same positive approach and sense of fun helps him set strong goals and reach for the top at anything he tries. After taking up Judo for self defence, he swiftly changed from being a shy seven year-old who was teased about his thick glasses into a world-class Paralympic champion. His story is unique because he reached the pinnacle of sports success while building up a successful career. Ian enjoys sport but he is foremost a dedicated family man, with two children and a very supportive wife - the perfect team. Ian gained his black belt at 17. In the same year, (1989) he was selected to fight his first Visually Impaired (VI) European Championships, winning bronze. From that point Judo became a way of life. He succeeded in both fully sighted and VI competitions and has competed in five Paralympics. Successes include: Ninth Beijing Paralympics 2008, Bronze medal in the 2007 ? 2006 World Championships, Bronze medal in the 2007 European Championships, Silver medallist Athens Paralympics, Bronze medallist Atlanta Paralympics, Four times European Champion, Former World Champion."