Andy Lewis talks about going from being a depressed amputee to 2016 Paralympic Games gold medal winner

Matt Jones - Editor 16:11 14/02/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Andy Lewis unsurprisingly battled depression following a motorcycle accident aged just 16 which eventually led him to make the difficult decision to have his right leg amputated.

    It wasn’t until he was 22, six years after the accident, that he underwent the life-changing procedure – a through the knee amputation – and then the depression set in as he struggled with the fact his life would never be the same.

    Once a promising athlete who had run cross country for his home county of Gloucestershire, Lewis was torn up by the fact he felt he would now no longer compete, or be able to fulfill a life-long dream of joining the British Army’s Parachute Regiment.

    But then daughter Jazmin was born in 2007 and Lewis finally found some perspective and began channeling his frustration in a positive way.

    He learned how to walk all over again with his new prosthetic leg, returned to Lydney Boxing Club where he’d trained as a kid to give back to local youngsters and eventually raised enough money to get a blade prosthetic so he could return to running.

    He even earned his pilot’s license, which gave him the launchpad for a career as an athlete.

    Not only did he return to running, just over a decade after losing a limb and fearing he’d never be active again, Lewis became a para-triathlete and won a gold medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

    Andy Lewis celebrates on the Team GB bus parade after returning from Rio a champion.

    Andy Lewis celebrates on the Team GB bus parade after returning from Rio a champion.

    “In 2007 my daughter was born and it made me realise that someone now was going to rely on me and need my support,” Lewis told Sport360 when asked how he summoned the strength to get over his accident and get his life back on track.

    “In 2005 I was suffering from depression, I really didn’t know what was going to happen to me, I was in a really bad way, but my wife was a massive supporter of mine and kept me on track.

    “(Jazmin being born), it made me pick myself up, sort myself out, get my fitness back, I wanted to get my life back. I went back to college, got a new job, became a boxing coach, got a running blade and the rest is history.”

    Lewis’ then employers, Airbus UK, part-funded his new leg at a total cost of £8,000 (Dh40,763). It changed his life dramatically as he started competing in events, and winning, even registering for England Athletics.

    He took up paratriathlon in 2013 and began competing in 2014. In 2016 he won gold at the European Championships and the ITU Para-Triathlon World Championships, while the pinnacle was reached that summer as he won gold in the PT2 category at the 2016 Paralympics, the first Games to include triathlon.

    Lewis won in 1 hour 11 minutes and 49 seconds, with a 41-second winning margin to Italy’s Michele Ferrarin in second and Morocco’s Mohamed Lahna in third.

    Speaking of his Rio glory, Lewis said: “It’s a difficult one, I was the current World and European champion and was definitely keen to get on the podium.

    “My coaches and team were very sure that I could leave Rio with a medal but I suppose I didn’t really expect to win. I had made, as do most athletes, some big sacrifices and wasn’t prepared to go to Rio and come home without anything.

    “It made me realise my potential, not just in sport but also in life. It made me feel very proud of my achievements.

    “It has raised my profile in the sport somewhat but it hasn’t made a massive difference to my dreams, aspirations and goals. It has made me realise that motivating people, especially children, is something that I really enjoy.”

    Lewis and Lahna will be reunited in the UAE next month when both take part in the ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi at the capital’s Yas Island from March 2-3.

    The paratriathletes will compete on Friday, March 2, with organisers announcing the 2018 global triathlon season-opener will feature dedicated waves for paratriathletes for the very first time.

    Lewis says giving back to younger, para athletes is a big passion of his.

    Lewis says giving back to younger para athletes is a big passion of his.

    And Lewis is looking forward to locking horns again with Lahna.

    “He has a massive heart and is really dedicated to his family, I know he wants to make them proud and I feel that he shocked quite a few people in Rio,” said Lewis, 35.

    “I really hope that he continues to improve and give me and the other PTS2 athletes a battle.”

    With paratriathletes debuting at the ITU series opener in Abu Dhabi, Lewis admits it is the race he is most excited about in 2018.

    “I am really excited to be coming to Abu Dhabi, it seems a beautiful country and I am really excited about the race, more excited than any other race on my calendar this year,” he said.

    “I haven’t been before, I have always watched the race when the World Series has been hosted there and always felt a little bit frustrated that paratriathlon races were not held there. The course looks amazing and to be able to race in such an amazing city with great scenery is fantastic.”

    And with Abu Dhabi set for its fourth year of hosting the ITU World Triathlon Series having acted as the first event of the season since 2015, Lewis is elated at it being opened up to disabled athletes.

    “Paratriathlon is a growing sport as is triathlon, however it still needs people to believe in it and to put events on to showcase it to the world,” said Lewis.

    “The organisers have gone through a lot of trouble to make it accessible for all who participate. I have to thank them personally for that. I am sure the paratriathletes will not feel forgotten about.

    “Over the past four years paratriathlon has become very popular, however we do need to get more media coverage and continue to ensure that organisers promote the events and do a build up to the event, help people understand what it’s all about.

    “The organisers normally do a great job but being open and asking the participants how they can make it more accessible and successful is key.”

    Recommended