Achmat Hassiem

Sharkboy [because his impairment is the result of a shark attack]. (humansofsa.co.za, 23 Mar 2015)

Going to the beach, hiking, being outdoors. (heslopsports.co.za, 07 Nov 2015)

Winning bronze in the 100m butterfly at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. (Athlete, 12 Jul 2015)

His parents. (Athlete, 12 Jul 2015)

South African swimmer Roland Schoeman. (Athlete, 12 Jul 2015)

He sustained a lower back injury in April 2015. (Twitter profile, 16 Apr 2015)

He had a double vascular bypass on both of his legs in 2004. (Athlete, 11 Apr 2011)

"Having three stripes shaven into the side of my head makes me swim faster." (Athlete, 11 Apr 2011)

"The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle." (Athlete, 12 Jul 2015)

His aunt Faeeza Heuwel has represented South Africa in netball. His brother Taariq has competed in lifesaving competitions in South Africa. (Athlete, 11 Apr 2011; heslopsports.co.za, 07 Nov 2015)

In 2006 he lost his right leg below the knee in a shark attack while he and his brother were training to become lifeguards. He successfully managed to lure the 4.5m great white shark away from his brother by slapping the water with his hand, until the shark bit his leg and dragged him 50 metres. He has drawn the jaws of a shark on his prosthetic leg as a reminder and to motivate him. (sportlive.co.za, 21 Jun 2012; achmat.com, 12 Jul 2010)

SHARK CONSERVATION
He works as a spokesperson for the conservation of endangered shark species. In February 2016 he was named a Global Shark Guardian by the United Nations Save Our Sharks Coalition. He was also a guest speaker at the 2014 Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Conference in Quito, Ecuador. (enca.com, 06 Feb 2016; humansofsa.co.za, 23 Mar 2015)

OTHER STUDIES
In 2009 he gained a coaching diploma from the Exercise Teachers Academy in South Africa. (heslopsports.co.za, 07 Nov 2015)