Q&A with future Paralympian Toby Richardson

Three years ago, Purpl member Toby Richardson’s life changed forever – but he hasn’t let it slow him down. In fact, he’s getting faster and aiming for future Paralympic glory.

We managed to grab Toby for a quick chat about his story and his aims to be a gold winning Paralympian in LA2028.

Tell us the ‘Toby Richardson story’ so far…

“I wasn’t always in a wheelchair. I used to be a crazy kid, running 90mph everywhere annoying my mum, and her constantly telling me to slow down. 

Unfortunately, 3 years ago I got bitten by a shark and it left this massive scar down my back – well, that’s my version! 

The truth is that I have a type of cancer that is attached to my spinal cord. After an 8-hour operation to remove some of it, it has left me partially paralysed.  

I spent three months in hospital, but it wasn’t all boring! It wasn’t going to slow me down!

When my mum was upset (and believe me that was a lot!) I would joke and tell her “Don’t worry mum; I will get a disabled badge now so we can park closer to McDonald’s”.  

When I was in ICU after my operation, I also convinced the nurse that my mum makes me a full breakfast every morning before school so I could have a full breakfast after my operation. I mean, who is going to say no to a kid with cancer!  

My mum called me another word, which I am not allowed to repeat, for lying to the nurses!  

My dad spent most of the time in the hospital with me and we would get up to all sorts of trouble. We would quite often come back on to the ward with the Head Nurse waiting for us because apparently it’s not funny to pull a disabled kid down the corridor by his arms to see if we can get a good sling shot round the corner!”

What inspired you to start training for the Paralympics?

Life for me in a wheelchair has been very different compared to what it was before but it has helped me find a new passion for sport.

I started off with rugby and believe me, it’s brutal. I loved it. I mean who wouldn’t love smashing into people as hard as they can and stealing the ball!  

Then one day, I was lucky enough to have a Zoom call with British Wheelchair Racer, Nathan Maguire, and when I saw his Olympic gold medal that’s when I knew I wanted one.  

I have always loved going fast in my wheelchair and my rugby chair so I thought let’s give racing a go. My mum was not happy, especially when she would get a phone call from school saying I had come out of my wheelchair racing my friends and seeing how fast we could get my chair to go. 

I did a few competitions last year and that has really given me the bug to race.  

So far this year I’ve qualified for a number of races and have come away with 3 gold medallist titles in wheelchair racing. I am Wiltshire champion, Welsh National Champion and English National champion. I also entered the London mini Marathon this year which was a fantastic experience.

I am now setting my sights on the LA 2028 Paralympics. 

Who are your favourite Paralympians?

Nathan Magire, Mickey Bushell MBE and David Wier. I have been lucky enough to meet all these people in person and they are fantastic people. 

Mickey Bushell MBE is now my coach and I couldn’t ask for better

What does your training entail?

I currently train 6 days a week. I train twice a week in the gym and the rest is either on the track or on my rollers training in my racing wheelchair. 

As I train so hard, I have to also make sure I eat right and keep myself hydrated. This is a very important part of training as an athlete.

We’re looking forward to following Toby’s journey to LA2028

And follow Toby’s journey on Instagram @rtoby2431