Darren Kenny is a Britishroad and track racing cyclist and Paralympian. Kenny's results have made him one of his sport's biggest stars; his dominance over multiple Paralympics gave rise to his nickname of 'Daz the Destroyer'. Darren Kenny OBE retired from competition in 2013. He is now the founder/owner of Estrella Bikes.
Career
Born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, Kenny now lives in Verwood, Dorset. Having been involved in cycling since he was young, Kenny started racing at the age of eleven. In 1988, at the age of 19, an accident at the Tour of Ireland whilst descending the Wicklow Gap looked likely to have ended his career. He had damaged his neck, but did not realise the extent of the damage at the time. A series of accidents after that exacerbated his condition, as Kenny put it: "until I was just lying on the sofa putting on weight and on heavy medication." At the age of 30, Kenny returned to cycling, initially to improve his fitness, but he soon began racing once more. Encouraged by a friend, Kenny contacted British Cycling to find out more about Paralympics racing. He competed at the British National Track Championships, achieving some good times, he was invited onto the Paralympic squad. In January 2008, Kenny was nominated for "Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability" Laureus World Sports Awards, which recognise sporting achievement during the previous year. Kenny managed to set a new world record in the preliminary round of the Individual pursuit at the 2008 Paralympics. The new record was 5.812 seconds faster than his own previous world record. Kenny was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2009 New Year Honours. Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by Bournemouth University in 2009 and an Honorary Degree Masters in Science by Brighton University. Awards include: Variety Club Disabled Sportsman 2004, BBC South Sports Personality of the Year 2005, BBC South WestParalympian of the Year 2008, BBC South Disabled Sports Personality of the Year 2004, Sports Journalist Award for Disabled Sportsman of the Year. Kenny also received an honorary doctorate of arts from Bournemouth University, as well as an honorary masters of science degree from University of Brighton.
