Latest news with #WingsforLifeWorldRun
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bengaluru man gets ‘wings for life' after fall from 12,500ft while skydiving
1 2 Bengaluru: What would you do if you were falling from 12,500ft and your parachute didn't open? Take a breath. Picture the wind roaring past your ears, the earth spinning below. For Austin Prakash , a seasoned skydiver from the city, this wasn't just a nightmare. In 2022, during the jump, something went wrong: A parachute malfunctioned. When he hit the ground, the impact shattered both his legs, changing forward to 2025, eight months after his leg amputation, Austin, now 50, took part in the Wings for Life World Run , a global charity race in Dubai where participants run to support spinal cord injury research, with no set finish line. He walked 2.3km on prosthetics and crutches on Sunday."It took me 39 minutes to complete the trail and find my limit. It took some time to find my pace, and crutches add to the challenge as they require upper body strength and coordination. Eventually, I found the strength. In between, I had to change my prosthetics because of my stump (residual limb after amputation). But it gave me a taste of freedom, a sense of achievement," he the accident, he was a man in motion. As both a strategist and entrepreneur, he was part of a Bengaluru-based electronic trading platform through its early years. Off the clock, he chased speed, adventure, and challenges on racetracks, in the sky, and in life. A resident of JP Nagar, he travelled to Dubai in 2019, but got stuck ever since the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Once the lockdown lifted, he went skydiving and his life came crashing the following two years, he endured as many as eight surgeries, countless hours of rehab, and pain that left no part of him untouched. While initially his legs were resurrected, and life seemed to get better, a serious infection led him to a decision that would change his life. In July 2024, he chose to amputate his leg."I survived. That was the first miracle. It wasn't the fall that defined me. It was everything I did after. For most people, that choice might look like the end of something. After the crash, I didn't want to become someone new. I wanted to stay true to myself. It's not motivation, it's just who I am. The only difference is that I don't have legs. I'm still the same guy," Austin told TOI."It wasn't about how far, it was about showing up. It was about saying, I'm still here. People are desperate to be inspired now. But you can't find it by scrolling. You build it in your circle. You build it quietly, over time... and that's the part that sticks. Not the fall from the sky, but the decision to rise when no one would've blamed you for staying down," he said.
The Citizen
05-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
24 hours in pictures, 5 May 2025
24 hours in pictures, 5 May 2025 Through the lens: The Citizen's Picture Editors select the best news photographs from South Africa and around the world. epaselect epa12074195 People participate in the 'Balloon Parade' in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, 04 May 2025. The event, considered the largest balloon parade in the world, featured a marine world theme. Floats decorated with balloons were created by 13 international artists from Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Picture: EPA-EFE/FRANCISCO GUASCO Demonstrators protest against offshore oil and gas drilling in Cape Town, South Africa, on May 05, 2025. Demonstrators in Cape Town gathered outside the Western Cape High Court to protest offshore oil and gas drilling along South Africa's coastline, coinciding with a court case challenging the government's approval of exploration in blocks between Cape Town and Cape Agulhas. Organized by environmental groups The Green Connection and Natural Justice as part of the 'Who Stole Our Oceans' campaign, the protest raised concerns over threats to marine biodiversity, small-scale fishers' livelihoods, and the climate, calling instead for a shift to renewable energy. The demonstration highlights the ongoing clash between environmental advocates and government officials, such as Minister Gwede Mantashe, who promote oil and gas projects for economic growth. Picture: Matrix Images Activists protest outside Cape Town High Court on May 05, 2025 in Cape Town, South Africa. Civil organisations are questioning the environmental authorisation process and challenging the government's alleged failure to properly assess the significant risks posed by oil and gas exploration, including oil spills, climate change impacts and threats to small-scale fishers' livelihoods. (Photo by Gallo Images/Brenton Geach) A picture taken with a drone shows rapeseed fields in full bloom in Rokietnica village, southeastern Poland, 05 May 2025. Picture: EPA-EFE/Darek Delmanowicz Participants run during the Wings for Life World Run App Run in Pretoria, on May 4, 2025. The Wings for Life World Run is a running competition held on the first weekend of May since 2014 to collect funds for the not-for-profit foundation Wings for Life. The entry fee goes completely to Spinal Cord Research. Picture: Tyrone Bradley A mitre of a cardinal as he attends the Ninth Novendiale Mass in memory of Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican in Rome, Italy on May 04, 2025. The Vatican announced on the 21 of April the death of Pope Francis at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. The conclave with gathers a College of Cardinals is due to start meeting on the 07 of May to elect the new Pope. Picture: Matrix Images / Andre Pain Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Gwede Mantashe at the business breakfast engagement session on the Transformation Fund at Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum on May 05, 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. The Transformation Fund is a key initiative aimed at accelerating transformation and supporting black-owned and black-managed businesses across various sectors in South Africa. (Photo by Gallo Images/Frennie Shivambu) Tourists take selfies as they visit a section of the Great Wall of China near Beijing, China, 05 May 2025. During the May Day national holiday, observed in China over a period of five days from 01 until 05 May, popular tourist spots become very crowded. Picture: EPA-EFE/JESSICA LEE Environmental protesters gather outside the head offices of TotalEnergies in Johannesburg, South Africa, 05 May 2025. The protesters gathered to hand a memorandum to the company as they stand in solidarity with coastal communities in the Western Cape of South Africa and give their full support to The Green Connection and Natural Justice, who have brought a judicial review against the environmental authorization granted to TotalEnergies to conduct offshore oil and gas drilling along the coastline from Cape Town to Cape Agulhas. Picture: EPA-EFE/KIM LUDBROOK Participants disguised as Christian and Moor soldiers take part in a re-enactment of Moors and Christians battles during the last day of 'Moors and Christians' festival in the town of Alcoy, Spain, 05 May 2025. The festival marks the battles between Muslim Moors and Christians to take control of the city of Alcoy in 1276. Picture: EPA-EFE/PABLO MIRANZO Gayton McKenzie (Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture of South Africa) at the 2nd G20 Culture Working Group Session on Day 1 at the Sandton Convention Centre on May 05, 2025 in Sandton, South Africa. This significant gathering forms part of South Africa's G20 Presidency, the first to be hosted on African soil, and serves as a platform for in-depth discussions on four key priorities. (Photo by Gallo Images/OJ Koloti) A window cleaner works on a high-rise building in Bangkok, Thailand, 05 May 2025. The World Bank downgraded Thailand's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for 2025 to 1.6 percent from 2.9 percent, marking the lowest growth prediction among ASEAN economies due to the impact of US reciprocal tariff measures, lower than expected tourist arrival number, high public debt as well as the global economic slowdown. Picture: EPA-EFE/RUNGROJ YONGRIT PICTURES: EFF march to Kleinfontein
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
How Sandile Turns Grit Into Purpose
There are moments in sports that are impossible to quantify. These moments manifest as inner triumphs driven by determination, resilience, and a strong desire to succeed, rather than being measured by time records or race outcomes. One such occasion for Sandile Mkhize is the Wings for Life World Run. Initially a personal test, the Wings for Life World Run has transformed into a worldwide event with no definitive endpoint, symbolising a commitment to a cause. Sandile, renowned for his unwavering positivity, sharp mind, and relentless determination, offers a grounded yet inspiring outlook from his wheelchair. Before the 2025 race, we spoke with him about mindset, preparation, and the deeper significance of each push forward. Sandile, you've described the Wings for Life World Run as a powerful turning point in your life. What does your physical preparation look like in the weeks leading up to the run? I've been prioritising my mental health and mobility lately, so I've been stretching a lot more and spending time pushing myself on the track rather than going to the gym like I normally do. I have been enjoying that a lot. Mental resilience has been such a strong theme in your story. How do you mentally prepare for a challenge like the Wings for Life World Run? I am fortunate to have done the race before, so I draw on that experience. As hard as it will be, as I will be pushing myself to the limits, I will simply tell myself that I have done this before, I achieved this goal before, and nothing is stopping me from doing it again. Do you have any pre-race rituals or routines—music, meditation, or mantras — that help you lock in your focus before the start? I have two routines; I spend a little bit of time meditating before the race when I have alone time, and the other is simply greeting and giving out as many high-fives as I can to people at the start of the race. That gives me so much energy, and it is a way for me to acknowledge and thank people for participating. How do you adapt your training to ensure your upper body stays strong, especially since your wheelchair is your engine during the race? As I mentioned this year, I am doing a lot more pushing in my chair on a track, rather than weight training, because overall, I want to improve my endurance rather than my strength. Has your approach to fitness changed over the years, especially now that you're running for a cause bigger than yourself? My approach to fitness has been very consistent. However, I place a lot more emphasis on holistic training now, rather than having either strength or aesthetic goals. The idea now is to live well and to enjoy my body, and that means I need to take care of its needs. What role do community, friends, family, and fellow participants play in your preparation and motivation for race day? The people around you and the people that you love will always amplify anything that you are trying to do in life. The race always allows me to spend time with the people that I love, and they always give me that extra push when my arms feel like they cannot push anymore. How do you manage your energy and pacing during the run, especially knowing there's no set finish line and the Catcher Car is always in pursuit? Honestly, I do not have a plan to manage energy, even though I should. My only goal is just to keep moving. However, I have noticed that over the years, when people do see me struggling, people do offer to push me as the race continues, which is amazing, and it's always nice to meet new people on the run. For someone who may be nervous about participating for the first time, especially in a wheelchair, what advice would you give to help them prepare physically and emotionally? I would say that it is okay to be nervous, and no one is fully prepared for anything when it comes to this race. The only thing you need to do is show up. And because of its adaptive nature, anybody can participate. So, you don't have to feel that you are physically unprepared. Emotionally, I would say it is one of the best things one can do for themselves, because you will be meeting amazing people and people who have similar struggles to you, which is always a good thing. Do you think moments like Wings for Life help shift the perception of disability in society, and how do you personally contribute to that shift through your participation? I think it shifts perspective because it is a constant reminder to people who may not be exposed to people with disabilities that there is more than one way to be human. Once you experience different kinds of people, it allows you to be empathetic and to be part of the solution, rather than the problem, when it comes to overcoming obstacles people may face. You've said, 'Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong.' What does pushing those boundaries look like for you in 2025 and beyond? Moving forward, I will be a lot more active in my community while upskilling in some of my technical work. Eventually, I would like to train people with disabilities to acquire tech skills to secure good jobs and careers. Sandile is carrying more than just the strength he has developed on the track as he prepares for another Wings for Life World Run; he is carrying a movement, a message, and a mission. He challenges preconceptions, motivates action, and demonstrates that boundaries — physical or otherwise — are only as real as we let them be with each wheel push. "Wherever you think your possibilities stop, you're wrong," he said. And as he confidently enters 2025, it's evident that Sandile is bringing about change rather than merely pursuing it.
Glasgow Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow hotel to host Wings for Life World Run event
The Social Hub will take part in the Wings for Life World Run on Sunday, May 4, at noon. The global event sees all participants run simultaneously, no matter where they are in the world. Read more: Glasgow runner who survived cardiac arrest during race to compete in same event Participants download the official Wings for Life app and try to outrun the virtual Catcher Car. Once you are caught, your run is over. Antoine and Joel, student leaders of The Social Hub's regular Run Club, will lead the way from Glasgow's city centre. The route will start and finish at The Social Hub Glasgow, with a scenic loop taking runners through Glasgow Green and along the River Clyde. All participants will receive a goodie bag complete with exclusive discount codes for Stretched, Scotland's first clinically led independent assisted stretch studio. One lucky winner will enjoy a complimentary 50-minute stretch, while the runner-up will receive a 25-minute stretch session. Read more: Tortoise the size of matchbox hatches at popular theme park Ben Mcleod, general manager at The Social Hub, said: "It's the perfect opportunity for anyone who missed out on the London Marathon ballot. "You still get to be part of a huge global running event, support an incredible cause, and have loads of fun doing it. "We're so excited to be hosting a Wings for Life App Run here at The Social Hub Glasgow, it's part of a global fundraising initiative by Red Bull to support spinal cord research. "All 21 of our hubs across Europe will be taking part on Sunday, and it's shaping up to be a really special event. "The event is open to all, whether you're a regular runner or just fancy being part of something meaningful and fun." Anyone looking to sign up and join the Glasgow run can do so on the Wings for Life World Run website. All entry fees go directly towards spinal cord research, helping to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.
Daily Mail
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Daredevil who was paralysed in motorbike stunt gone horribly wrong reveals how she found love again - and the crucial question she asked her man on their first date
Christina Vithoulkas, Australia's first female para drifter, has revealed how she found love again after a shocking motorcycle accident six and a half years ago changed her life forever. Vithoulkas was visiting family in South Australia in 2018 when she came off her dirt bike while attempting a stunt, leaving her with a lacerated spleen, fractured skull, punctured lungs, broken ribs and a severed spinal cord. Her injuries were so bad she was later told she would never walk again. And while her life has changed dramatically since the accident, she has vowed to not let anything stop her from living her life to the fullest. The 30-year-old has relearned how to do everything in her day-to-day life - including getting her adrenaline rush by drifting suped-up cars - and she's even found love again. 'I am so grateful for where my life has taken me. I'm in a two-and-a-half-year relationship with the man of my dreams,' Vithoulkas told News Corp. 'He is too good to be true and I am so grateful our paths crossed. 'He is the only person since my injury besides my immediate family who sees me as a human being and doesn't view me as 'disabled'. 'He's on the same page as me about not wanting kids in the immediate future and it was one of the first things we discussed on our first date, because I think it's important and people wait too long to have uncomfortable conversations. 'Trying to juggle the disability and kids at the same time wouldn't be something I'd want to jump into anytime soon. 'I'm only 30 so I have so much time to work out what is ahead of me.' Vithoulkas has also found joy in motorsports again - this time in drifting. Drifting is a sport where the driver intentionally oversteers, with loss of traction, while maintaining control and driving the car through the entirety of a corner or a turn Vithoulkas competes in a modified car which has hand controls instead of a brake and clutch on the floor. The former freestyle motocross rider has since found joy in motorsports again - this time in drifting 'That's why I love drifting so much … I can't think of another sport that a paralysed person can do where we're not separated from the non-disabled community,' she told the ABC. 'If drifting became an Olympic sport, I wouldn't need to be in the Paralympics. 'I think that's why I love it so much, because when I'm out there, I feel normal. That's probably not a right word to say, but that's exactly how I feel. 'I feel like I'm not at any disadvantage.' Vithoulkas is now helping raise money for Wings for Life World Run - with 100% of the run's entry costs being donated towards spinal research. 'It isn't so much about finding a cure for me personally, but the thousands of people all around the world whose lives would significantly change for the better if they were able to walk again,' she said. 'I love this run, walk and roll event. 'It's not something I necessarily train for as a wheelchair racer, I go there and do my best and I think that is the great thing about it. 'It's you against you. You can take it seriously or you can just go there and have fun with your friends and family.'
