August 23rd 2024.
Zak Skinner came into this world without the gift of sight, but at the age of two, he was able to develop limited vision. As an athlete, injuries are something that every competitor must face, but for Zak, it seemed as though he was constantly finding himself on the treatment table more than he would have liked. As a Paralympian for Team GB, Zak specializes in the T13 long jump and 100m events, but over the past five years, he has suffered from a torn hamstring each season. And just four months before the upcoming Games in Paris, he faced another obstacle when he tore a tendon in his patella.
Zak's journey has been full of challenges, but he takes great pride in his ability to push through and overcome them. Growing up in Kent, he faced yet another hurdle with his genetic eye condition, ocular albinism, which left him with severe visual impairments from a young age. However, at the age of 25, he is now preparing for his second Paralympic Games after making a full recovery from the knee injury that could have ended his chances.
Reflecting on his journey, Zak shared, "I think the only thing that made it bearable was knowing that there was nothing I could have done differently. All I could do was focus and push through. That was the toughest part of this year - those two or three months after the injury were brutal on both my body and mind." During his recovery, Zak turned to his passions for videography, photography, and DJing to help distract him from the monotony of rehabilitation. He also found support from his fellow athletes, including Katrina Johnson-Thompson and Jazmine Sawyers, who have also faced their fair share of injury setbacks.
As one of the 1,000 full-time athletes funded by the National Lottery, Zak trains alongside some of the best in the world. He credits his training partners for inspiring him, especially watching Katrina's comeback from an Achilles rupture to becoming a world champion. Zak emphasized the importance of having someone who truly understands what he is going through and can provide support during tough times. "Having those types of people around you is invaluable, especially when you don't want to put on a brave face and just need someone to listen and understand," he shared.
Despite the challenges of his disrupted training schedule, Zak remains optimistic about his upcoming competition in Paris. With a double European Para gold medal and a bronze in the long jump at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championship, he has plenty of reasons to be hopeful. Just last month, Zak set a new national record in the 100m event with a time of 10.84. However, his main focus remains on the long jump, where he is seeking redemption after finishing fourth in the Tokyo Paralympics, losing out on a bronze medal by only 2 centimeters.
Reflecting on his past disappointments and using them as motivation for the future, Zak shared, "Those moments did eat away at me for a while, but eventually, I decided to put them behind me and use them as fuel for my fire. I know the feeling of winning at the European level, but I have also experienced the opposite, coming in fourth at the biggest event in our sport. That kind of pain is something I never want to feel again, and it serves as a reminder to give my all every day, even on the days when I don't feel like it."
For Zak, navigating the long jump with his limited eyesight is no easy feat. He can only see the faint outline of the take-off board when he is about two meters away and must rely on the rhythm of his run-up to ensure a successful jump. He explained, "You can see how many able-bodied athletes foul in their event, so it's definitely the most challenging thing I've had to overcome in terms of my impairment and the sport." Zak's coach, Aston Moore, emphasizes the importance of rhythm, regardless of his athlete's ability to see, and Zak must trust in his run-up to achieve peak performance.
Sporting a striking mullet like his father, former England rugby player Mickey Skinner, Zak's mother helps organize travel for his support group of friends and family. Despite the pressure that comes with competing on such a grand stage, Zak is confident in his ability to thrive in front of what will likely be the largest crowd of his career. "I thrive in high-pressure, high-intensity environments, especially with a big crowd. It brings out the best in me," he shared. "For me, it's about staying calm before the competition so that when I get out there, I can soak it all in and use it to my advantage."
Zak acknowledges the tremendous support he receives from National Lottery players, who have invested over £300 million in athletics in the UK, supporting both grassroots sports and elite athletes. A new documentary, "Path to Paris: Paralympic Dreams," airing on Sunday, August 25th at 4:55pm on Channel 4, follows five British Paralympic athletes on their journey to the Paris 2024 Games and offers a unique insight into how National Lottery players support them. Zak's story is a testament to the resilience and determination of Paralympic athletes, and he hopes to inspire others to never give up on their dreams, no matter the obstacles they may face.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
