Inspirational Nicholls targeting World Para Triathlon Triumph 

This weekend after just a year competing in the sport of Para triathlon, Nicholls aims to come away with victory, with one eye on gaining a medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Amongst a star-studded field of the World’s top Para triathletes. Nicholls will be heading to Swansea on Saturday to compete in the second edition of the World Triathlon Para series based at the Prince of Wales dock and SA1 Waterfront in the PTWC category. 

The 45-year-old’s remarkable story is an astonishing tale of determination from a woman that will not let life get her down. 

After watching the 2008 Bejing Paralympics from her hospital bed following a third stroke, Nicholls was inspired and took up wheelchair racing. Excelling almost from the off, the Tewksbury athlete competed at London 2012 in the 100 and 200 metre categories just 15-months after taking up the sport.

Success wouldn’t be far around the corner, gaining a silver medal at the World and European Championships in 2014 over 800 metres and bronze at the European Championships over 100m in the following year before switching to hand cycling. 

Nicholls’ accomplishments in the field of endurance sport have been a staggering achievement but this is not a surprise for someone who lives for a challenge.

“I have always loved the outdoors and loved adventure. When I started with Para Sport, I used my off-season to go out and do the exploring side of me that I wanted to do. Then I had a gap away from performance sports to focus on something different, so I wanted to focus on these ultra-cycling challenges,” explained Nicholls. 

“I like to think I’m a positive person. Life is for living and to make the most of. I don’t want to be miserable, and I don’t think anybody does either. We all have our tough times, but it is focusing on what it is that is going to break you out of that and can work towards. 

“For me, being out with nature is a massive thing and being outside. If I can’t do a lot else, going out into the garden or the park is my kick-start to get going again.

“I like to see what is possible and inspire people to find their own possible. For me, it’s in the World of adventure to find a solution. There’s always a way, it might be harder and take longer but there is a way.” 

2019’s record-breaking scaling of one end of the country to the other in seven days was impressive but nothing compared to an even bigger challenge completed in 2021.

Unsupported, Nicholls in her trusted handcycle ‘Dolly’ rode 4800 miles around the coast of the UK in 75 days. The furthest distance achived by a handcycle. All accomplished only a year after having a 5kg ovarian tumour removed. 

Nicholls’ move into Para triathlon has come more by chance than anything though, having joined her local triathlon club for fun. Since then, she hasn’t looked back and after a whirlwind year competing in her first ever Paratriathlon competition in Llanelli in May 2022, progress has been rapid, shocking many including herself by finishing fourth at last year’s event. 

Silverware has since come at both the Europe and World Triathlon Para Cup, triumphing in Bari and Abu Dhabi with Nicholls now believing she will be in a better position to compete in this year’s event.

“Swansea last year was my first proper triathlon race. I did one before, but it was supposed to be a one-off. So then to be invited to come and race the Swansea World Series was incredible, pretty daunting but amazing,” continued Nicholls. 

“Last year I surprised myself and everybody else by coming so close to the podium, so that would be the goal. My plan is to put in a good swim, I have been working really hard on that over the winter because that is my weaker area. So, a good swim, do what I know what I can do on the bike and the race chair, put everything into it and enjoy it.

 “I work in Wales, and I love it. The Swansea people are always so welcoming. They were amazing last year and really lifted us.

“I’m really looking forward and hopefully will be a bit more experienced and know what to expect and have a bit more of a performance plan than just get through it. 

“It is so important [to impact on the next generation], It just showed last year by the amount of people out watching. There were all sorts of ages and people. We’re a Paratriathlon and want to inspire the next Para triathletes, but it’s not just about Para it’s about everybody.

“We’ve all got our stories and our back stories of how we have come into it and are going to be favouring one of the elements more than the others or one less than, so if it inspires someone to go out and do a 5k run, starting a couch to 5k, or start swimming in open water that is amazing. 

“The fact that there are a lot of events going on as well as our competition for people to come and have a go is brilliant. They will see people doing it and having those opportunities to do it themselves is how they are going to get started and get hooked.

“Paris is my most favourite city in the World. Competing and London and Rio I hadn’t closed the door to another games, but I certainly didn’t plan one. For now, for the Para triathlon to come into my life and to have the potential of Paris on the horizon is just fantastic. My motto is to dream big and that certainly is a dream. I am enjoying it so much and that is what is important to me and I’m pushing so hard to get there and hopefully do really well.” 

(Lead image: Steve Cox)