Tokyo 2020 gold-medallist, James Roberts, experienced a remarkable 2021. A year that saw him win gold in the wheelchair rugby event, a year that saw him be awarded an MBE, and a year that has seen him retire from his sport.
Incredibly, Roberts only began playing wheelchair rugby in 2013, and by May of 2014, he was already selected to be part of the Great Britain wheelchair rugby squad. The Welshman has both his legs amputated below the knee and had limited movement in his arms and hands after contracting meningitis toward the end of his first year at university.
Considered Great Britain’s primary playmaker, at the time, he helped inspire his side to the 2015 European title thanks to a riveting 49-48 defeat of defending champions Sweden in Finland.
He was also the standout offensive player for Great Britain at Rio 2016, who narrowly missed the semi-final stage with a two-goal loss to Australia and a heart-breaking one-goal defeat to Canada in overtime in the pool stage.
After all that, he finally won his first gold in Tokyo and said that the feeling afterwards was “relief”.
“My feeling at the time was probably one of relief, one for the games that had actually gone ahead and relief that we were good enough and then a little bit of relief that it was sort of done and dusted for me to be honest.
“Now that I’m retired I can look back on it a lot more fondly I guess, but it was a massive relief at the time but obviously that relief has turned to a lot of celebration.”
Roberts also expressed his disappointment for the Japanese people who were not able to show off their country as much as they could’ve been able to.
“I’m gutted for the Japanese people. They didn’t get to show off their country more to all spectators and fans that were there supporting. They’re brilliant out there, the Japanese and they would’ve put on an even better show than they did.”
It was also reveleaed that James has been included on the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list and will receive his MBE for services to sport.
“It was definitely very special getting that letter, it’s something that some amazing people have achieved before me and I’m honoured to be named amongst that elite group of people.”
After what was certainly a memorable year. The gold-medallist has recently announced his retirement from sport and will now take time to be with his family and friends, as well as, getting back into the professional working life he had before he became a professional athlete.
Ben Evans Portfolio 