Panathlon Challenge

Although the main ethos of Panathlon is achieving through teamwork, we also recognise individual outstanding achievement.

For this reason, we established an  "Outstanding Achievement Award” in partnership with The Jack Petchey Foundation in 2009.

Our first winner was Samuel Harkaoui.  He received his trophy in the summer of 2009 from Trudy Kilcullen, CEO of the Jack Petchey Foundation.

The Award was expanded and improved for 2010 and was awarded by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, Kate Hoey MP and Jack Petchey, in November 2010 at City Hall. Three incredible individuals who thoroughly deserved individual recognition of their contribution to Panathlon were shortlisted and all received awards, but the overall winner was Divya Hirani

“Panathlon has given Divya the confidence to set herself new goals and challenges. So much so that she has even attempted walking, with the goal of aided walking to receive her medal at the Panathlon finals. Prior to this she has not walked for 4 years.” 
Janine Edwards, Teaching Assistant, Whitmore High School, Harrow

The 2011 Award was presented at Hilton London Stansted in December and we are proud to announce the new Jack Petchey Outstanding Achiever is, Zach Livings, from Beacon Hill School in Thurrock.

"In his first ever Panathlon Challenge in 2009, Zack was taking part in the manual wheelchair race and fell over fairly badly. He suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and was too weak to break his fall safely.  He finished the race and won everyone’s heart that day for his effort.

Since that day Zack has been training hard and is a key player on our team each year for table cricket and relays.  He also however has had a recent decline in his physical ability due to his DMD.  Despite him understanding his condition and seeing his skills lessen, Zack has managed to continue to keep a positive outlook on sports and the Panathlon.

He now has an electric wheelchair and has helped us win the electric wheelchair relay and also place well in the slalom event.  He continues to play table cricket as well and he is happier than ever with his performance.  I think he shows great character for getting up and carrying on back in 2009 and when looking at his DMD and how it is and will further affect him, he is still getting up and carrying on each day of his life.” Brandon Mullins, Teacher Beacon Hill School.

We would like to thank the Jack Petchey Foundation for not only sponsoring this Award, but for their enthusiasm and advice in this area.

For more information, please contact ashley@panathlon.com