Silver medal for Romany Gypsy JohnBoy Smith at the Commonwealth Games!
England's JohnBoy Smith – has won a silver medal in the T54 wheelchair marathon at the Commonwealth Games ahead of team-mate Simon Lawson in bronze, with gold going to Australia's Kurt Fearnley.
The silver from the 2018 Gold Coast Games in Australia adds to the haul of international sporting awards for Romany Gypsy JohnBoy, 27, who thought his life was over after being paralysed at the age of 16 in a tragic shooting accident.
“Speaking to the Travellers’ Times in an exclusive interview back in 2015, Johnboy told us about his struggles and his determination to make a “positive choice.” “I had been boxing since I was 2 years old and it felt like very dark days indeed,” he said. “But after six months rehabilitation at the Stoke Mandeville Spinal Unit, I decided to make a positive choice to find something that I could do.”
Gravesend born JohnBoy says he first started bodybuilding and powerlifting and then – inspired by watching the London 2012 Paralympics – took up shot put, javelin and discuss before switching to track events. JohnBoy is now ranked number one in the five and ten kilometre wheelchair track event.
”Since then I have competed in a number of international races all over Europe,” he said “I have competed in both track and road races including two half marathons and the London marathon.
“My mantra is ‘You can be dealt a bad hand in life but that doesn’t mean to say you can’t have a good game!,”.
Watch JohnBoy Smith win his silver medal by right clicking on this link!
By TT News
Main picture courtesy of the BBC – JohnBoy Smith wins a silver medal for England in the T54 Wheelchair Marathon at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in Australia.
*Following a complaint from a reader, this article was amended on 21/9/2018 to clarify the attribution of an interview with JohnBoy Smith. We apologise for any confusion caused by the original wording. The Travellers' Times believes in accurate journalism, abides by the editors code of practice and is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. If you believe we have fallen below those standards then please contact us at travellerstimes@ruralmedia.co.uk