Achmat Hassiem
Hassiem was born on 6 May 1982 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. He attended Bergvliet High School in Bergvliet, a suburb of Cape Town.
In 2006, his right leg was severed by a four-and-a-half metre long great white shark whilst he was training for lifesaving exams at Muizenberg beach with his brother Tariq; the lower portion of his leg was subsequently amputated.
Hassiem began swimming at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa following his accident. For competition he is categorised in the S10 classification, the classification for swimmers with the most physical ability. He is coached by Brian Button.
He was selected to represent South Africa at the 2012 Summer Paralympics held in London, where he competed in the 100-metre butterfly and the 100 and 400 metres freestyle events. Swimming events at the Games were held from 30 August to 8 September at the London Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park.
On 1 September 2012, Hassiem won a bronze medal in the 100 m butterfly, setting a new African record of 57.76 seconds in the final
Bravery In The Open Water – Achmat Hassiem, A True Hero
Courtesy of WOWSA, Huntington Beach, California.
Achmat Hassiem did something so heroic, so unbelievable, so humbling that it is hard to explain.
The former lifeguard from Strandfontein Village in Cape Town, South Africa literally lost his leg when he jumped in front of a Great White Shark in order to save his younger brother. “It was my job to help my brother.”
Achmat speaks from his heart with such clarity that his motivational speeches are spellbinding.
He spoke with the Daily News of Open Water Swimming at the finish of the aQuellé Midmar Mile about his harrowing, life-altering experience when he purposefully created a distraction to direct the shark away from his brother.
“I thought I was going to jump on its back, but the shark got hold of my right leg and I could hear my bones going to pieces. I thought to myself, ‘There’s no way I’m going to survive,’ but I was punching and fighting as best I could. Later, my brother helped me [survive] as he pinched my veins in order to help stop the bleeding [after being dragged underwater for 75 meters]..”
A brave soul to be sure, a man with a mission, but it did take Achmat some time to get back in the water. Once over the natural fear, he is now swimming in all kinds of open water events and taking his message internationally.
06 August 2015
Caleb Swanepoel (left), Brian Button (Caleb's swimming coach) and Achmat Hassiem at the swimming pool when Caleb entered the water for the first time after his ordeal.
https://www.knysnaplettherald.com/News/Article/National-News/caleb-swanepoel-swims-again-20170711
Throwback Thursday: South Africa’s Achmat Hassiem
London 2012 bronze medallist now divides his time between protecting sharks, body building and movie of his life.
17 Aug 2017
“Para sports taught me to love more, smile more, to be fair and to never give up on my dreams, no matter what they may be.”
Following his performance at Rio 2016, South African Achmat Hassiem decided to put an end to his swimming career which saw him claim one bronze over three Paralympic Games.
“I feel that as a Paralympic Athlete I have achieved more than I could possibly have dreamed of,” he said. “Paralympic sport and the Movement have given me so much to be grateful for. I will always be a Proud Paralympian.
“I got the opportunity to represent my country at three Paralympic Games and bring a medal back from London 2012.
“Also, it gave me the opportunity to see the world and meet other incredible athletes like Brazilians Andre Brasil and Phelipe Rodrigues, GB’s Ellie Simmons, USA’s Jessica Long and Justin Zook, and South Africa’s Kevin Paul, Reinhardt Hamman and Arnu Fourie.
Since making his international debut, Hassiem has learned many things that go way beyond the pool. “I learned to be grateful, enjoy life and every opportunity given to you, and to be kind to others. Also, to be an inspiration to others, help them achieve their goals and motivate them to be their best and most importantly enjoy the sport.
“Para sports taught me to love more, smile more, to be fair and to never give up on my dreams, no matter what they may be.”
With his swimming career now part of a bright past, Hassiem decided to focus on his other passions.
Despite losing part of his right leg to a white shark while at the Muizenberg beach in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2006, he has become an “Ocean Conservationist and Global Sharks Guardian for the United Nations Save Our Sharks Coalition.”
Hassiem is also a “motivational speaker and content provider on YouTube,” as well as a body builder. “After swimming I decided to get into body building to stay fit,” the ‘Shark boy’ explained.
“I do get into the pool now and then just to satisfy my love of missing the sport. I thought, as a swimmer with big broad shoulders, I should not let this go to waste.
“It (body building) has always been something I enjoyed watching while growing up. People like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Plus, I get to stay in a swim costume haha Hopefully, if I choose to go pro, as right now I’m just doing it for me and to keep my body in shape.”
But that is not everything Hassiem is involved with, as he mentions a movie of his amazing life may be in early stages of production.
“There are talks of a movie, yes. The idea is not mine, nor am I acting, but I am hoping to get my two minutes of fame in the end. Release date has not been confirmed yet,” he said.
https://www.paralympic.org/news/throwback-thursday-south-africa-s-achmat-hassiem
