Latest news with #adaptiveathletics
RNZ News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Adam Hall set for record sixth Winter Paralympics
Adam Hall Photo: PHOTOSPORT New Zealand Paralympian Adam Hall has been selected for a record-equalling sixth Paralympic Games. He's been named alongside defending Men's Downhill Sitting champion Paralympian Corey Peters on the NZ Paralympic Team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games in March. Hall is set to match the landmark achievement by fellow Kiwis - Paralympian #4 Graham Condon and Paralympian #148 Michael Johnson as a six-time Paralympian. Johnson competed in para shooting and Condon in para athletics and para swimming at the Paralympic Summer Games. Hall is the first New Zealand Para athlete to appear at six Paralympic Winter Games. The 37-year-old Dunedin-born Para athlete made his debut appearance at Torino 2006. Hall, who was born with spina bifida, claimed a gold medal in the Men's Slalom Standing at Vancouver 2010 before he regained the title eight years later at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games, where he also snared a bronze medal in the Men's Super Combined Standing. At the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games he won bronze medals in the Men's Super Combined Standing and Men's Slalom Standing disciplines. Selected for both the Men's Slalom Standing and the Men's Giant Slalom Standing at Milano Cortina 2026, Hall said gaining selection for his sixth Games was an honour. "Each Paralympic experience provides a unique platform to challenge myself, inspire others, and demonstrate the remarkable capabilities of what is possible when living with a disability or not. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to my teammates, coaches, and all those who have supported me throughout this journey. Together we will continue to strive to push boundaries and redefine the possibilities within the world of adaptive and para winter sport," Hall said. Peters will make his fourth Paralympic Winter Games appearance at Milano Cortina 2026. The 41-year-old sit skier claimed a silver medal in the Men's Giant Slalom Sitting discipline on his Paralympic debut in Sochi 2014. Four years later at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games he added a bronze medal in the Men's Downhill Sitting, before claiming a stunning Men's Downhill Sitting gold medal at Beijing 2022 and silver in the Men's Super-G Sitting. Peters, who sustained a crushed spinal cord competing in a motocross event 16 years ago, took a year out from the sport following the birth of his daughter in 2022 and spent a further 12 months on the sidelines after sustaining a dislocated shoulder in a training accident in Chile in mid-2023. However, the experienced Kiwi made a successful return to the podium during the 2024-25 World Cup campaign suggesting he is in shape to mount a strong medal challenge at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. Selected for the Men's Downhill Sitting, Men's Super-G Sitting and Men's Giant Slalom Sitting for Milano Cortina 2026, Peters said being selected for his fourth Paralympic Games was a testament to years of resilience, and unwavering passion. "Every Games tells a different story, and this one is about legacy. It's about representing not just my country, but every challenge I've faced and every person who believed in me. I carry all of that with pride, and I'm ready to give it everything I've got," Peters said. PNZ CEO Greg Warnecke described the Para alpine skiing pair as "legends" banking an incredible nine Paralympic Winter Games medals between them. A second selection announcement for the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, should it be required, will be made in February 2026.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Marysville teen surprised with sports prosthetic after losing leg in accident
An 18-year-old Marysville teen, who lost his leg a year and a half ago, was surprised with a running prosthesis during a free mobility & running clinic on Saturday. The prosthetic was given to Xavian Harris, who lost a portion of his right leg below the knee during a fireworks-related accident. Advertisement Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) and Össur, a prosthetic manufacturer, gifted Harris the prosthetic during a running and mobility clinic at Seattle University Park. Harris was a competitive wrestler who has returned to the sport after his accident and says he wants to return to running and swimming. Joined by U.S. Paralympic athletes and coaches, as well as U.S. Veterans, the clinic was created for people with lower-limb loss or limb differences who want to participate in fitness activities to help their mobility. For more information on the Challenger Athletes Foundation, visit
BBC News
17-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
National wheelchair rugby tournament takes place in Plymouth
A wheelchair rugby coach from Plymouth has credited the sport with rebuilding his life following a serious car crash. Adam Simmons, coach and chairman of the Plymouth-based West Country Hawks, broke his neck after falling asleep at the wheel in 2003. "It was late at night, I think I fell asleep at the wheel, and woke up two weeks later in Derriford and broke my neck," he said. But four years later he discovered his new hobby, which he said gave him confidence, as well as a new career. Mr Simmons added: "My life has gone in a completely different avenue to where it was, I worked for the local supermarket at the time."Afterwards, I went to Plymouth University, did a law degree, I taught law for a few years and now I work for Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby's National governing body as their competitions manager so it's been an interesting ride."The wheelchair rugby coach now has a national tournament to prepare for with his team, which will be held at the Plymouth Life Centre on Saturday and Sunday. The Hawks will compete in league two of the competition. 'Going to be great' Mr Simmons said: "It's very rare that we have a national wheelchair rugby tournament down in Plymouth."It's the biggest tournament that we run for our calendar, 20 teams across the two days with lots of players, lot's of people coming down, it's going to be great." The Allied Mobility Wheelchair Rugby 5s or WR5s, is open to anyone with a permanent physical disability or impairment that prevents them from playing running get under way at 09:00 BST and run until 16:00 with free entrance to all spectators.
