Shae Graham

Shae Graham
Shae Graham in 2020
Personal information
NationalityAustralian
Born (1986-12-16) 16 December 1986 (age 38)
Sport
Country Australia
SportWheelchair rugby
Disability class2.5
ClubBox Hill R.U.F.C
Medal record
Wheelchair rugby
Representing  Australia
Paralympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Paris Mixed
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Vejle Mixed

Shae Graham (born 16 December 1986) is an Australian wheelchair rugby player. She competed at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, her first Games and the first female to be selected for the Steelers.[1] At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she won a bronze medal. [2]

Personal

Shae Graham was born 16 December 1986.[3] At the age of 18, she was a backseat passenger in a car crash in Mackay, Queensland.[3] The accident resulted in her fracturing her spine and pelvis, and incurring a brain injury and ruptured bladder. Graham has several degrees – Bachelor of Business/Arts, Central Queensland University and Master of Information Management, RMIT. She works as a librarian.[4] In 2021, she lives in Moonee Ponds, Victoria.[3]

Wheelchair rugby

She is classified as 2.5 point wheelchair rugby player.[3] Graham made her international debut at the 2019 Four Nations tournament in Alabama, USA, where she played big minutes for the Australian wheelchair rugby team.[3] She became the first woman selected for Australian wheelchair rugby team.[5]

At the 2020 Summer Paralympics, the Steelers finished fourth after being defeated by Japan 52–60 in the bronze medal game. COVID travel restrictions led to Steelers not having a team training since March 2020 prior to Tokyo.[6]

Graham won her first world championship gold medal at the 2022 IWRF World Championship in Vejle, Denmark, when Australia defeated the United States. [7]

At the 2024 Summer Paralympics, she was a member of the Steelers that won the bronze medal defeating Great Britain 50–48.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Steelers Eyeing Paralympic History… Again". Paralympics Australia. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Steelers chasing redemption at Paris Games". Yahoo Sports. 10 July 2024. Retrieved 10 July 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Shae Graham". Paralympics Australia. July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  4. ^ Steele, Selina (25 April 2021). "'Don't let fear hold you back' says Paralympic hopeful Shae Graham". KidsNews. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. ^ "Shae Graham, Australia's first female wheelchair rugby representative". YouTube. 17 May 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  6. ^ "Australia names wheelchair rugby team of 12 for Tokyo 2020". Inside The Games. 31 July 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  7. ^ "Australian Steelers Are World Wheelchair Rugby Champions". Paralympics Australia. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  8. ^ "Forged In Bronze: Steelers Reach Paralympic Podium After Eight-Year Wait | Paralympics Australia". www.paralympic.org.au. 2 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.