August 23rd 2024.
Zak Skinner was born without the ability to see, but at the age of two, he developed limited vision. As an athlete, he is no stranger to injuries, but unfortunately, Zak has become too familiar with the treatment table. It's not something he enjoys, but it's something he has had to deal with repeatedly. Zak is a Paralympian for Team GB, competing in the T13 long jump and 100m events. Over the past five years, he has torn his hamstring every year, and just four months before the upcoming Games in Paris, he suffered another setback when he tore a tendon in his patella.
Zak's journey so far has been filled with obstacles, but he takes pride in his ability to overcome them. He was born in Kent, and even though he has ocular albinism, a genetic eye condition that has severely impaired his vision since he was two years old, he is now 25 and preparing for his second Paralympic Games. This is no small feat, considering he had to recover from a knee injury that almost prevented him from competing at all. Zak reflected on the challenges he faced, saying, "The only thing that made it bearable was the fact that there was nothing I could do about it. I just had to keep moving forward."
During his time at university, Zak founded an events company to book himself as a DJ, as nightclubs wouldn't take him. He has many interests, including being an avid videographer and photographer, but his passion for DJing is what helped him get through the monotony of rehab. He also reached out to his fellow athletes for support during the tough times. Zak is one of the 1,000 full-time athletes funded by the National Lottery, and he trains alongside top athletes such as Katrina Johnson-Thompson and Jazmine Sawyers. Both of these British athletes have also faced their fair share of injuries, so they understand the struggles Zak has gone through.
Zak shared his admiration for Katrina, saying, "I've trained with her for a few years now, and seeing her come back from an Achilles rupture and become world champion was truly inspiring." Having someone who understands what he's going through has been invaluable to Zak. He explained, "Having someone you can confide in, who has been through it and come out on top, is amazing. They get it, they've been there, or they're going through it themselves."
Despite the setbacks and injuries, Zak is optimistic about his chances at the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris. He has had a successful career so far, winning a bronze medal at the 2023 World Para Athletics Championship and claiming double gold at the 2021 European Para Athletics Championship, just five years after taking up the sport at the age of 17. Last month, he even set a new national record in the 100m with a time of 10.84.
Zak's main focus is the long jump, and he is determined to do well at this year's Paralympics. In the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo, he missed out on the bronze medal by just two centimetres, losing to American athlete Isaac Jean-Paul. Zak admitted that the disappointment of not making it to the podium has motivated him to work harder and improve. He said, "Experiencing the high of winning at the European level and then the low of coming fourth at the biggest event in our sport was tough. It's not something I want to go through again, and it's definitely added fuel to my fire."
As someone with limited vision, the long jump can be a challenging event for Zak. He can only see the faint outline of the take-off board when he is about two metres away, so he relies on the rhythm of his run-up to make a successful jump. Zak's coach, Aston Moore, focuses on this rhythm, whether Zak can see or not. He explained, "For a 20-stride approach, I have six, where I will count in my drive, and then I'll have four, and by the end of that four, I need to be at my best when I reach the board. At that point, everything else goes out the window, and I'm just trying to run as fast as possible."
Zak's dad, Mickey Skinner, is a former England rugby player, and Zak sports a similar eye-catching mullet hairstyle. His mum has been busy organizing travel for his support group of friends and family, and Zak is confident that he can thrive in front of what will likely be the biggest crowd of his career. He said, "I thrive in high-pressure, high-intensity environments with big crowds. It brings out the best in me." Zak knows how important it is to stay calm before a competition so that he can use the energy of the crowd to his advantage.
The National Lottery has been a significant source of support for athletics in the UK, with over £300 million invested since funding began. This support has helped both grassroots sport and elite athletes, including Zak. A new documentary called "Path to Paris: Paralympic Dreams" will air on Sunday, August 25th, on Channel 4. It follows five British athletes, including Zak, as they prepare for the Paralympic Games in Paris and gives a unique insight into how National Lottery players have helped them on their journey.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
