CAMPERDOWN Paralympic export Josh Hose is ready to start checking off his list of goals.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After taking wheelchair rugby gold at the London 2012 Paralympics, Hose’s focus is now firmly on helping reclaim the national team’s world number one ranking.
It’s the first on a long list of goals for the 27-year-old, who was left a paraplegic after a car accident near Port Campbell on Australia Day 2005.
“We are number seven in the world at the moment, so we want to get back to number one,” Hose told The Standard.
“I’m back in full training preparing for the Canada Cup in June and the world championships in Denmark in August.
“There are a few other tournaments, but those two are the main focus at the moment.”
Hose said he was spending six days a week training, completing three sessions in the gym and three chair sessions.
On top of that he has state squad commitments and motivational speaking sessions.
“It’s very busy at the moment, but it’s good,” he said.
“The motivational speaking commitments fit in well around my training sessions.”
Hose also picked up a new piece of silverware last month when he was awarded an Order of Australia medal for his services to sport as a Paralympic gold medallist.
“It’s a massive privilege,” he said.
“ I’m very humbled by it all.
“It was a massive surprise to get the nomination paperwork, but then to find out the nomination had been accepted was massive.
‘‘It’s such an honour.”
Hose said his sights were also firmly set on representing Australia at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro.
“It’s obviously only two years out from the next games, so preparations are in full swing for them too,” Hose said.
“We had a training camp last month and there are a lot of new guys coming through, so every spot on the team is on the line.
“I’ve just got to keep training and keep my performance at the top level.
“The ultimate goal is to go back-to-back.
“We all want that second Paralympic gold.”