Vale Nicholas Hum: Australian Paralympic Long Jump Medallist Dies Aged 32

The Australian sporting landscape is a little quieter this week, and hearts across the Australian Athletics community are heavy. It is with deep sadness that we report the passing of Nicholas Hum, a three-time Paralympian, Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, and a beloved figure within the Australian Paralympic "Mob".

Nick passed away in Melbourne over the weekend of 13–14 December 2025. He was just 32 years old.

For sports fans, he was the man who flew through the air to claim Australia’s first-ever Paralympic medal in the T20 long jump. But for those who knew him—his teammates, his family, and the wider disability community—Nick was a grounded, hardworking cabinet maker and a devoted father who represented his country with immense pride and a trademark smile.

As we process this loss, we take a moment to celebrate the life of Australian Paralympian 989, explore his incredible contribution to Paralympic sport, and share details on how the community can support his young family during this difficult time.

A Decorated Career: From Christchurch to Paris

Nicholas Hum’s journey in athletics began in 2008, not on the world stage, but through a nudge from Olympian Max Binnington, who encouraged the teenager to test out his "fast-twitch muscles". It was a suggestion that would change his life.

Joining the Glenhuntly Athletic Club in Melbourne, Nick quickly found his calling in the long jump. He made his international debut just three years later at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, coinciding with his 18th birthday. Even then, his talent was undeniable; he finished fifth and set an Oceania record on debut.

Competing in the T20 classification—a category for athletes with an intellectual impairment—Nick became a mainstay of the Australian team. His career spanned well over a decade, encompassing:

Three Paralympic Games: Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024.
Five World Para Athletics Championships.
The Australian Record: A massive leap of 7.39 metres, a distance that remains the benchmark for Australian T20 long jumpers.

While his raw power was evident, it was his resilience that defined him. In Rio 2016, he finished fifth, agonisingly close—just 10cm—away from the podium. Rather than be discouraged, he went back to work, consistently jumping over the elite 7-metre mark in the years that followed.

The Tokyo Triumph: Winning Bronze for Holly

If there is one moment that encapsulates Nicholas Hum’s spirit, it was his performance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The lead-up to Tokyo was far from ordinary. Due to COVID-19 delays, the Games took place in 2021. Just two days after Nick arrived in the Athletes' Village in Tokyo, his wife Mairead gave birth to their daughter, Holly, back in Australia. It was a bittersweet moment—the joy of becoming a father mixed with the heartache of being thousands of kilometres away.

Channeling that emotion into his performance, Nick produced the jump of his life. On September 4, 2021, he recorded a leap of 7.12 metres to secure the bronze medal.

The feat was even more impressive given the physical toll it took; Nick pulled his right hamstring on his sixth and final attempt. Yet, the pain couldn't wipe the smile from his face. Speaking after the event, he said, "It’s been a big dream of mine – so to be here now and actually medal, it’s like I’m floating".

He dedicated the win to his newborn daughter, saying, "I’m going to give her such a big hug when I see her". It was a moment of pure "Aussie" grit and tenderness that endeared him to fans watching back home during lockdown.

Life Off the Track: A Skilled Craftsman and Family Man

One of the most inspiring aspects of Nick’s life was his success beyond the stadium. In the world of para-sports, the transition to "life after sport" can be daunting, but Nick navigated it with the same determination he showed on the runway.

He was a qualified cabinet maker and held a Certificate IV in Building and Construction. In November 2020, amidst his training for Tokyo, he founded his own business, Peninsula Joinery Specialists, based in Victoria.

Nick broke down barriers regarding what people with intellectual disabilities can achieve vocationally. He proved that elite athletes could balance the rigours of training with the demands of running a trade business.

After competing at the Paris 2024 Games, where he finished sixth, Nick announced his retirement from international competition in late 2024. In an honest reflection at the time, he said, "I am ready to move on, I have a young family which I was missing out on a lot... I’m very happy with what I have achieved, but I’m also very happy that I’m done".

He is survived by his wife, Mairead, and their three children: William, Holly, and Paige.

"A Cherished Member of Our Mob": Tributes Flow

The Australian Paralympic community is tight-knit—often referring to themselves as "the Mob"—and the loss of such a vibrant character has hit hard.

Paralympics Australia CEO Cameron Murray paid a moving tribute, stating:

"As Australian Paralympian 989, Nick will be remembered for far more than just medals and results. He was an outstanding Paralympian and a cherished member of our Mob, and his loss will be felt across the Australian Paralympic Movement for a long time to come".

Simillarly, Australian Athletics CEO Simon Hollingsworth highlighted Nick’s generosity:

"He was respected not only for his commitment to his sport but for the way he showed up for those around him".

At the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), where Nick spent years honing his craft, CEO Nicole Livingstone AO remembered him as a "remarkable person" who represented Australia with passion and pride, embodying the values of the Institute even as he transitioned into his skilled trade.

The international community has also sent condolences, with World Para Athletics recognizing him as one of Australia's "most accomplished long jumpers" of the decade.

Funeral Details and How to Support

For those in the community who wish to pay their respects, the funeral service for Nicholas Hum has been arranged.

Date: Monday, 29 December 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Location: St Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Cnr Gisborne St & Cathedral Pl, East Melbourne, VIC.

The service will be an opportunity to celebrate a life lived with intensity and kindness.

Supporting the Hum Family

Nick’s sudden passing has left his wife Mairead and their three young children facing an unimaginable future without their husband and father. To assist them during this time, a GoFundMe campaign has been organized by Annalise Reeves.

The fundraiser aims to help cover funeral expenses, manage everyday living costs on a single income, and complete home renovations that Nick had been working on.