How Stuart Robinson got 'back on track' with wheelchair rugby after life-changing injuries

The 39-year-old lost both of his legs on his fourth tour of Afghanistan with the Royal Air Force. But finding wheelchair rugby during his rehabilitation helped 'get his life back on track' and opened his eyes to the possibilities of disability sports. 

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(2017 Getty Images for the Invictus Games Foundation)

In 2016, Stuart Robinson attended the Rio Paralympics after being selected for the Paralympic Inspiration Programme, a chance to visit the Games and see what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Robinson's potential in wheelchair rugby had been evident as he helped his country beat the USA to gold at the Invictus Games in 2014.

And in 2021, the 39-year-old was named in the Great Britain squad for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, eight years after sustaining life-changing injuries.

This is his story.

Overcoming life-changing injuries

Stuart Robinson is a British Royal Air Force veteran, who served four tours of Afghanistan.

It was that fourth tour, in 2013, that changed his life.

He was injured by an improvised explosive device, and lost both of his legs.

It was during his rehabilitation when Robinson found his new sport.

"While I was laying in hospital, I saw a leaflet advertising for wheelchair rugby and I saw a poster advertising the Invictus Games and got involved in that," he said.

It helped Robinson see life beyond his injuries.

He continued: "Invictus did its job for me: it got me up and about and mobile again and opened my eyes to disability sports."

The sport that changed Stuart Robinson's life

Robinson is an advocate for his sport, insisting that he 'can't recommend it enough' for others who may be in a similar situation to him.

"The sport has given me so much," he said.

"It's kept me fit and healthy, and has got my life back on track.

"Mentally, it has helped me massively - when you leave the military, where you're used to teamwork, banter and camaraderie, you fear you are never going to get that again.

"Lots of injured military people suffer because they miss it so much."

He picked up the sport relatively quickly after being invited down to a training weekend, subsequently leading to his selection for the Invictus Games in London.

And just a year on from those life changing injuries, Robinson won gold at the 2014 Games.

Paralympic dream realised with Great Britain

Robinson has been focused on making it to the Tokyo Paralympics since taking up the sport.

"From a personal perspective, this is something I've been working towards for the last four or five years," Robinson revealed.

"I've had a goal since I was injured, and my rehab kicked off, that I wanted to at least try and compete at one Paralympic Games."

And despite the unprecedented obstacle of the Games being postponed by a year, the goal of Robinson and Great Britain has not changed.

Their Paralympic journey began with a 50-47 win over Canada on Wednesday (25 August).

Follow Robinson and the GB team in Tokyo

All the key moments will be on Olympics.com, with updates and articles throughout the Paralympics.

Find out how you can watch the action at Tokyo 2020 by clicking here.

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