Aberdeen para athlete features in documentary charting path into wheelchair racing

Paul Fisher
·3-min read
Aberdeen para athlete features in documentary charting path into wheelchair racing


An Aberdeen para athlete Joanna Robertson stars in the latest short video documentary by Scottish Athletics as she charts her path into wheelchair racing.

Joanna’s story is inspirational in so many ways and is told graphically via the footage shot by Urbane Media for scottishathletics.

The Aberdeen AAC athlete suffered life-changing injuries in a car crash in 2019 but is now energised by moving into Para sport in Scotland – including her highlight when racing the London Marathon.

READ MORE: Aberdeen's Scotland Under-21 international Connor Barron agrees Rangers deal

READ MORE: Drivers 'exempt' from Low Emissions Zone charge slapped with £60 fines

In the film shot superbly by videographer Calum McCready, Joanna talks about her need for speed in a custom made racing wheelchair and how coach Phil Owens guides her through the challenges of the sport.

It’s the second short documentary from Scottish Athletics with Olympian and fellow Aberdonian, Zoey Clark, having told her story in December 2023.

"In 2019, my family and I were involved in a car accident,' Joanna says in the film.

"The car lost control and unfortunately we crashed. I sustained a spinal cord injury that resulted in myself becoming paralyzed from the waist down. I could no longer feel or move my legs. I was fortunate. I still have my hands. I still have my upper body. I could still lead an independent life."

In time Joanna found the inner strength to rebuild her life – and the para sport wheelchair racing has played a significant role in that.

"Prior to my accident, I was a keen swimmer. I first heard about wheelchair racing from my physio, Claire, and she mentioned Sammi Kinghorn. Samantha Kinghorn is a world renowned wheelchair racer.

"And of course I Google her up and I see wheelchair racing. The women there looked strong, compassionate, determined and they made it look so cool. And I was like, I want to do this.

"When I first got into a race chair, I felt so much joy. I realised how quick I can go.

"And I discovered more about myself, you know, I discovered how much stronger I can be and I had more goals and aspirations from that. You get in that race chair and become part of the machine."

Sign up to our Aberdeen F.C newsletter to get the latest headlines, transfer news and more sent to your inbox

Joining Aberdeen AAC and working with coach Phil Owens propelled Joanna to the Para athletics pathway in Scotland.

After barely three years in the sport, Joanna awaits the next steps in the journey with eager determination. And great persistence.

"If I can give myself advice when I first started wheelchair racing, when I first got out of hospital and tried to work out this whole life change – it would be to be persistent.

"You know; you fail and fail again but keep trying. You just have to keep doing it; keep showing up, keep going.

"One day it will click and I promise you it will happen. You don't know when, you don't know how, but you will. That’s the advice I would give myself.'

To learn more about Joanna’s development in Para athletics watch the short documentary Joanna Robertson: A New Life.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest stories

  • Man United legend Wayne Rooney handed first major blow of new job as bumper contract refused

    Manchester United great Wayne Rooney is having to deal with his first major headache in charge of Plymouth Argyle having taken over at the club in May

  • India manipulating the draw for own benefit has turned T20 World Cup into a farce

    There really is no excuse for India this time if they fail to win the World Cup. The game’s financial behemoth has been handed an advantage by the structure of a tournament skewed in favour of one team for financial reasons.

  • Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer renew attack on ‘baffling’ Gareth Southgate decision

    Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have launched another attack on Gareth Southgate’s team selection and tactics after England were booed off in their final European Championship group game against Slovenia.

  • The England player who should start in the last 16 - and two who badly underperformed

    How did the players fare in England’s goalless draw with Slovenia in their final group game at the Euros?

  • Cristiano Ronaldo made instant dressing room change – the young players were gobsmacked

    One footballer has described the instant dressing room change that Cristiano Ronaldo implemented later in his career, which had younger stars in the squad flabbergasted

  • Gareth Southgate: ‘I am the problem’

    Gareth Southgate has admitted being England’s major problem at the European Championship, plunging his future as manager in doubt beyond the tournament.

  • Paul Scholes proven right over England plea and says who must play in Euro 2024 KO games

    Paul Scholes was proven right after several positive cameos in England's 0-0 draw against Slovenia which saw them top Group C at Euro 2024

  • 'ITV's Euro 2024 coverage is wiping the floor with the BBC'

    As the Euros reach the knock-out stages, it's clear that ITV's coverage is leagues ahead of the BBC's.

  • Watch: Serbia fans chant Vladimir Putin’s name amid violent clashes with German police

    There were violent clashes between Serbia fans and riot police before the country’s final European Championship group game against Denmark.

  • Newcastle's Anthony Gordon left wounded after England bike accident

    Newcastle's Anthony Gordon was left bloodied and bruised after falling off a bike in Germany

  • Rangers address Ibrox venue switch after SPFL release Premiership fixtures

    Rangers have released a statement to supporters regarding the alternative arrangements for their first matches of the new campaign.

  • Voices: Don’t blame Southgate – England’s dire performance at the Euros isn’t down to him

    COMMENT: After being held to a goalless draw against Slovenia, the England boss – who was bottled off the pitch and faces calls for his sacking – pointed the finger at fans for creating an ‘unusual environment’. So whose fault is it really, asks Gemma Abbott

  • England player ratings vs Slovenia: Kobbie Mainoo and Cole Palmer make impact after Conor Gallagher nightmare

    Substitutes offer only bright points in another hugely laboured Three Lions performance at Euro 2024

  • Nan has shock reaction to 130mph motorbike racing

    A man captured his nan's amazing reaction during a motorbike racing event. Ollie Wildsmith, 29, took his nan Sheila Goodwin, 78, to see the TT Races, an annual motorcycle racing event in the Isle of Man. Video shows Sheila's shocked reaction as motorbikes whiz past her at 130mph. Ollie, a marketing manager from Derby, Derbyshire, said: "She was left speechless after all the bikes had gone by and you can see how strongly she's reacting in the video! "I do really think that you can't put into words what it's like to experience the TT races unless you've been before.

  • Euro 2024 group stages got more boring with every game – Uefa is to blame

    Congratulations to Slovenia, through to the knockout stages of an international tournament for the first time with their smaller population than Birmingham, two goals and three draws across three matches. Stirring stuff, but irritating for Ukraine in particular, who are going home despite earning four points in the group stage rather than Slovenia’s three.

  • Emma Raducanu v Jessica Pegula LIVE: Tennis result and reaction after Briton’s impressive win at Eastbourne

    Raducanu and fellow Briton Katie Boulter both reached the quarter-finals of the Rothesay International at Devonshire Park

  • England’s route to the final: Possible opponents in the Euro 2024 knockout stages

    Should England miraculously transform into a tournament threat at these Euros, their path to the final in Berlin is at least inviting

  • Why Finns are deadly serious about hobby horsing

    A buzz of excitement crackled through the hushed arena as the rider gripped the reins of her stuffed steed.Welcome to the strangely exacting world of hobby horsing, the Finnish sport guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Immaculately-coiffed equestrians leap athletically over fences just like in horse jumping, going as fast as they can against the clock straddling their stick steeds.Things are more stately in the dressage, with riders trotting their stick horses with intricately decorated stuffed heads before the discerning eyes of the judges.Some 260 riders from 22 countries -- most women and girls aged between 10 and 20 -- turned up to compete at the 11th annual Finnish championship held in the town of Seinajoki.But despite its vast international reach, from the Arctic to Argentina, hobby horsing is a sport that dares not speak its name.- 'Insane' athleticism -Despite its soaring popularity, it is not officially recognised as a proper sport in its birthplace."We have faced so much bullying and judgement," rider Nara Arlin, 24, told AFP."We know what everyone in the hobby horsing has been through... I think that is the main thing that pulls us together."First invented in Finland more than a decade ago, hobby horsing has taken off at a gallop across the globe. "It is growing every year," said Julia Mikkonen, the chair of the Finnish hobby horse association.This year's championship was "the biggest we have had so far", she added.Beyond the whimsy, great strength and skill is required to jump the obstacles while holding the hobby horse. Some top competitors could give elite hurdlers or gymnasts a run for their money."If you jump over obstacles your hip mobility has to be absolutely insane," said Mikkonen, 20, with some fences up to 110 centimetres (3.6 feet) tall. - 10,000 enthusiasts -"Of course we are all dreaming of having a world championship one day," said Mikkonen, who estimates there are around 10,000 hobby horsers globally."I am still a bit breathless but I am happy with my performance", said 19-year-old Jojo Hanninen as she sat down after her dressage event. To succeed in the sport you have to channel your inner centaur, she said."In hobby horsing, my legs are the horse... I am both horse and human," she said. Hanninen's hobby horse is a grey called Toope, with glittery reins and pink ribbons adorning its white mane.- Welcoming community -Competitors go to great lengths with their horses -- which are also exhibited and judged -- modelling and sewing the heads and adorning them with decorations.  "Hobby horses are art," said Arlin, who makes her own.With the cheers of the crowd still ringing in her ears after an impressive show jumping round, she hailed the sport as "the best hobby ever"."You are doing so many things with your hands, brain and the whole body."Like many of her peers, Arlin found hobby horsing through play as a child. "But the older I became, it became more serious," said the rider, who trains by riding real horses, working out in the gym and doing pole dancing.Rainbow flags in the arena reflected the tolerant values underpinning the community.   "Horses are mostly seen as a girls' sport, but that is not correct. Anyone can come no matter what gender," Mikkonen said.   Every enthusiast AFP spoke to praised the welcoming community that kept them devoted to hobby horsing despite the scornful attitudes all encountered at some point."We have each other's backs," said Arlin. ank/po/fg/smw

  • Man United lining up exciting double swoop as part of '£27m summer deal'

    Manchester United will be hoping to enjoy a successful summer transfer window

  • Chelsea: What Alexander Isak has said about Newcastle exit amid Blues interest

    Chelsea have reportedly made contact over a huge summer deal