Fabio Zamparelli

How I Started

I got into sports as a way to feel valued. I struggled at school and I was bullied. Due to my disability I was ridiculed a lot and as a result felt lonely, but sport gave me an opportunity to be myself and prove that I was capable of big things along with being a part of a community.

I Started Athletics at age 15 by chance as I wanted something to do during the rugby off season  (I used to play rugby). First I tried sprinting, hurdles and high jump, but as soon as I tried the Shot Put and Discus, I was hooked. I then found that I was really good at it and enjoyed it.

I entered a couple of local competitions and excelled in them!

After a year I entered my first National competition in Bedford where I won Silver and Bronze, that’s when I knew I wanted to do this as a career. Since then I have been 7x F20 UK National Champion and UK Number 1 for the last 3 years.

My Greatest Achievement

My greatest achievement is medalling Gold in Manchester at the 2021 National Championships in F20 U20 Shot Put (I also medalled Silver in Discus) it was my first year as an U20 and I got a personal best too!

I had worked hard during Lockdown and I improved my Shot Put throw by 2 meters and my Discus throw by 5 meters respectively. I had focused and worked hard during Lockdown, keeping to a routine, so I would come out of Lockdown being an athlete with a focus to achieve my dreams. I was stronger, fitter and faster.

My Greatest Challenge

It’s difficult for me to pinpoint my greatest challenge. Because I am continually developing, my challenges change as I overcome them and face new challenges. However, I suppose my greatest challenge was my communication skills, due to my disability I didn’t start talking till I was 8 years old. So, it has taken me many years of hard work to be able to communicate effectively. I used many aids, therapies and threw myself into wanting to progress. I went to Stagecoach (preforming arts club) where I attended for 5 years and studied Drama, Singing and Dance. In those 5 years a really learned a lot and it prepared me for sport.

I now really enjoy talking and have done podcasts, BBC Radio interviews and am active on social media with my followers. I have 4 National sponsors who I communicate with on a professional level and I am an ambassador for 2 of them.

My Hobbies

I train 6 days a week for my sport. So away from sport I enjoy YouTube and playing on my PlayStation. I also take my Jack Russell for long walks and enjoy going surfing. I love all food, my mum is Italian so we always have amazing homemade food! My favourite food is Mediterranean style food with fish, pulses and beans.

My Future goal

Since the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics games I have had only one dream, and that is to represent Team GB at the Paralympics. I am currently in the Paralympic Development Academy and the England Athletics Youth Talent Programme. I am following a specific elite athlete pathway and I will continue to work hard towards my dream. It is not left to chance!…My coach and I set our monthly and yearly goals and we follow a tailored training routine to achieve them. I train 3 days a week on gym weights and circuits. Then 6 hours a week of technical training for Shot Put and Discus. My immediate goals are to win National Championships and then move onto international competitions. My goals are very clear too. I am working towards being: European Champion. World Champion. Paralympic Champion. I will not give up!