Achmat Hassiem
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_is_a_South_African_swimmer.png) | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
Nickname | Sharkboy |
| Born | 6 May 1982 |
| Sport | |
| Country |  South Africa |
| Sport | Paralympic swimming |
| Disability class | S10 |
Medal record | |
Achmat Hassiem (born 6 May 1982) is a South African swimmer who was injured in an attack by a great white shark. He competed at the 2008 Summer Paralympics and he competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.
Hassiem was born on 6 May 1982 in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.[1] He attended Bergvliet High School in Bergvliet, a suburb of Cape Town.[2]
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.[3][4] Because of the manner in which he sustained his disability Hassiem is nicknamed "Sharkboy".[5]
He is 1.94 metres (6 ft 4 in) tall and weighs 88 kilograms (194 lb).[5]