A Paralympic gold medal can now be added as a new chapter in the extraordinary life story of a man who, just 12 years ago, lost his arm in Afghanistan after being hit by a grenade.
Jaco van Gass broke a world record on the way to taking home cycling gold in the 3000m individual pursuit at Tokyo 2020 this week, becoming the second member of Team GB to stand atop the podium in these Games.
He beat Fin Graham in an all-British final, a result which was part of a very successful morning in the velodrome as Aileen McGlynn and Jody Cundy also picked up silver medals.
Van Gass' achievement is all the more extraordinary when you consider the road he had to take to get here.
He left South Africa as a 20-year-old to pursue a military career in the British Army, and had just two weeks left of his second tour of Afghanistan with the Parachute Regiment when he suffered life-changing injuries in a firefight with Taliban forces.
He was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, which saw him lose his left arm at the elbow.
Van Gass also suffered a collapsed lung, shrapnel wounds, punctured internal organs, a broken tibia and a fractured knee, requiring 11 operations and intense rehabilitation.
It was when he finally began settling back into civilian life that he began his Paralympic journey.
The 35-year-old has also completed a list of other incredible sporting achievements, such as completing multiple marathons and joining other wounded soldiers and Prince Harry in an unsupported trek to the North Pole.
He also climbed the highest mountain peak in North America, Alaska's 20,000ft Denali, and only narrowly failed to reach the summit of Mount Everest when he was forced to abandon his climb due to poor weather conditions.
Van Gass can now add a Paralympic Games gold medal to that impressive list of accomplishments, with more possibly on the way this summer.
He is set to take part in four more events in Tokyo, and could fly home with a hefty medals haul if he can secure further success.
Van Gass was supported by Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes and participated in its sports recovery programme following his injury.
Help for Heroes CEO Mel Waters said: "We are delighted that somebody who has been in our sports recovery programme has gone on to win gold and be the pride of his nation. We’re so incredibly proud of him and of all our veteran athletes in Tokyo.
"How fitting that with Afghanistan in the news once again, a veteran who served there should be making such positive headlines.
"His superb capabilities – and those of his fellow veterans in Tokyo – send a powerful message to other veterans and anybody with a disability who may happen to face barriers, both visible and hidden, to engaging in sport.
"It shows what can be achieved, and what is possible with the right support. For many, your start line may not be in Tokyo, it maybe venturing out into your local community or taking up an activity for the first time. But support is there for you, and you can fulfil the goals you set yourself."
