SCOTLAND: Ricardo Ten Argiles of Spain, electrocuted at eight, had both arms and one leg amputated. At 47, he won his third para track cycling world championship in Glasgow, clocking an average speed of 44 km/h over 60 circuits. His inspiring story highlights the importance of overcoming adversity and perseverance in life.
Ten, a Valencia native, is writing the second part of a story about perseverance in sports. With three Paralympic swimming gold medals and three world championships, he made his para swimming debut in Atlanta in 1996. He aims to add to his gold medal collection at the 2015 Paralympics in Paris. Ten’s motivation for cycling stemmed from his love for competition and his 21-year career in Paralympic swimming.
Ten switched to cycling for Rio 2016 as a goal to maintain his desire for improvement. He has been using a specially-made bike for seven years, overcoming injuries that took years to heal. A prosthetic left leg attaches to the pedal, and the bike’s handlebars are moulded to suit his stumps.
The rider’s flawless pedalling power is impressive, even for those with four limbs. He received a standing ovation on his victory lap, and his response to those who questioned his motivation was straightforward. “No matter how difficult life can be, it is worthy to try to enjoy it, even if only for a few moments, try to live them intensely,” he told the UK media.
The UCI World Championships in Glasgow feature para cyclists and able-bodied competitors on the same schedule, drawing large crowds due to Britain’s para riders’ impressive 15 gold medals. The most recent victory was in the men’s B sprint, where Neil Fachie and Matt Rotherham won gold over German teammates Thomas Ulbricht and Robert Forstemann.
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