Video: Emma Wiggs speaks on Sports Week
An athlete who trained in Nottingham and won gold in Rio has described her determination to succeed after contracting a virus that left her paralysed.
Emma Wiggs contracted an unidentified virus whilst on a gap year in Australia that left her arms and legs paralysed.
Her arms have since recovered but her legs have been left with permanent nerve damage.
In 2010, ten years on from the paralysis, Emma attended a UK Sport talent identification day where she discovered sitting volleyball and was a member of the team that competed at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.
Our only aim was to top the medal table
Speaking on Sports Week, she said: “I was determined to not let the disability define me and I wanted to find a new path in life where I could really challenge myself and make the best of me.”
Emma switched to paracanoeing after the 2012 Paralympics and trained at the Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
She added: “I set about in a new sport and a new challenge which is a lot windier and a lot colder than playing volleyball.
“I found myself progressing really quickly under the incredible coaches.”
The 36 year-old went on to win European and World Championship titles in 2013 and reached the pinnacle of paracanoeing by winning gold in the KL2 class at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio.
“We only had one aim and that was to show the world that we were world class and top the medal table,” Emma said.
For more from Emma, watch the December 7 episode of Sports Week on our catch up service, where the entire series is also available on demand.
