A HISTORY-MAKING Scots dad recognized with motor neuron illness (MND) at simply 30 years outdated needs to develop into the primary snowsport athlete with the situation ever to compete on the Paralympic Video games.
Davy Zyw, now 37, a former aggressive snowboarder, has set his sights on the Winter Paralympic Video games in Milan in 2026, and cleared a significant hurdle this month when medics gave him the inexperienced mild to compete – supplied he qualifies by a tightly contested Parasport World Cup collection.
If profitable in qualifying, Zyw would develop into the primary Paralympian with MND ever to compete in snowsports – and the primary Paralympic athlete with the illness from the UK in any sport. Rower Nick Scandone competed within the Paralympics in 2008 with MND, whereas roller Cathy Cummins, who was recognized in 2005, was an alternate on the US staff in Sochi 2014. Nonetheless, no one has competed within the Winter Olympics with MND.
Zyw – who harboured ambitions of changing into a full-time skilled – was sponsored by main snowsports manufacturers in his teenagers and early twenties, competing at worldwide age group degree earlier than a severe knee harm compelled him to give attention to a profession outdoors of sport.
In October, wine purchaser Zyw made historical past by changing into the primary individual with MND ever to compete at worldwide degree parasport snowsports when received two silver medals within the banked slalom on the FIS Para Snowboard occasion in Dubai. His finest instances have been simply 0.3 seconds behind skilled para snowboarders, together with Slovakia’s Adam Kropka – a transparent signal Zyw is nice sufficient to compete on the high degree.
The Edinburgh-man adopted that up with twelfth place on the second occasion in Holland final week, competing towards the earlier Paralympic champions from Beijing 2022. He nonetheless should earn sufficient factors over the approaching season to succeed in the FIS Para Snowboard World Cup collection. From there, he wants a high 15 to qualify for Milan.
Davy, who might be cheered on by his spouse Yvette and three-year-old son, Aleksander, stated: “It’d be unbelievable to make it – I get goosebumps excited about it. At this stage, it’s virtually inconceivable to think about myself there. The usual of competitors is extremely excessive, lots of my fellow para athletes are full time snowboarders so I’m taking nothing as a right, however to have the ability to compete at this degree is actually encouraging. I have to get quicker and tighten my approach for the subsequent races, however really feel I’m making progress each time I step in.”
The Edinburgh dad was recognized with MND in 2018, and has since devoted large quantities of effort and time to elevating greater than £1m for MND causes together with My Identify’s Doddie Basis by gruelling endurance challenges – together with biking 264 miles throughout the infamous ‘Excessive 5’ route within the Scottish Highlands in 2022, and using from Edinburgh to Rome earlier this yr.
Zyw will compete within the Higher Limb class, towards para athletes with a spread of disabilities affecting their limbs, together with amputees. Zyw’s MND predominantly impacts his arms and arms at current, however will ultimately transfer to different elements of his physique. Regardless of all his fundraising, he believes qualifying for the Winter Paralympics could possibly be his hardest problem but, however is set to provide it his all, not just for himself, however to boost additional consciousness of MND and assist the trigger and neighborhood.
He stated: “To qualify for the Winter Paralympics can be phenomenal – it feels a great distance off regardless of the hurdles I’ve already cleared. I believed I used to be going to be lifeless inside two years after I was recognized in 2018, and right here I’m gearing up for a winter of snowboard racing – I really feel extremely fortunate. I’m dreaming large and taking the alternatives in entrance of me, and hope I’m adequate to qualify. Above all I’m going to benefit from the journey and hope to boost consciousness alongside the way in which. Maybe, unusually for a para athletes, I’m thrilled that I’m eligible. At one level, I wasn’t even certain I’d have the ability to compete as there wasn’t a class for MND, or neurological situations. After they informed me I’d no less than have the ability to strive was an unimaginable feeling.
“The character of MND means I’m solely going to get weaker and extra adversely affected because the illness progresses. I’ve full vary of motion in some areas, some muscle groups are completely gone, and others are within the gray zone. It places me ready the place I do know that even when I get there, I’ll be acting at a decrease degree versus another athletes, and but I’m extra in a position bodied than others – however that doesn’t deter me. Everybody competing in parasport has had large challenges to beat by simply being on their snowboards, it’s a really inspiring group of athletes to compete with.”
The following steps are six competitions throughout Europe, with rounds in Finland, Austria, and Germany. One other problem might be funding the bid, as till Zyw qualifies for the World Cup collection, it’s totally self funded. To date his efforts are supported by his twin brother Tommy, however believes it’s going to value no less than £15,000 to attend the races he wants. He has arrange a Simply Giving web page to assist him get to the occasions required to qualify.
He added: “Tommy has been an unimaginable assist, as he at all times has been, and we’re in search of potential sponsors to assist obtain this objective. I’ll give it my all to make it to Milan.
“It’s ironic that having MND could now provide a route to meet my childhood dream, to compete at snowboarding on the world stage. It’s laborious to not get emotional about that. I can’t imagine this merciless illness has taken me again to my roots and love of the mountain. However that is achance to place MND within the world highlight at one of many greatest sporting occasions on the planet. I’ve to do it for everyone residing with MND.”
Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising at My Identify’5 Doddie Basis, stated: “Davy has defied all the chances to attain what he has in assist of the Basis and the broader MND neighborhood. It might not shock me one bit if he was to go the entire approach to the Winter Paralympics – no one has higher dedication.
“He has already made historical past in competing in world parasports with MND, and the entire MND neighborhood and past might be behind him as he seeks to make extra in qualifying for Milan 2026. Better of luck Davy, you are able to do it!”
You’ll be able to assist Davy by donating on his Simply Giving web page. To assist increase funds for MND analysis, participate in My Identify’s Doddie Basis’s greatest annual fundraiser, Doddie Assist, which begins on January 1st 2025.
