Achmat Hassiem
#56,693 Most Popular
About
South African swimmer who was nicknamed Sharkboy following an injury he sustained from an attack by a great white shark. He won a bronze medal in the 100m Butterfly S10 event of the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London. He had also competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing.
Before Fame
He studied at Bergvliet High School in Cape Town. In 2006, he was attacked by a four-and-a-half meter long great white shark, and his right leg was severed. He subsequently underwent an amputation on the lower portion of his leg.
Trivia
He is a shark conservationist and has worked closely with The Pew Charitable Trusts. He has also visited the UN, the US Capitol, and has met with government leaders across the globe to talk about the protection of endangered species.
Family Life
He was born in South Africa.
Associated With
He and fellow Paralympic swimmer Natalie DuToit were both born in South Africa.
