Wheelchair whiz sets sights on World Championships and Paralympics

SOME athletes are in it for the glory, but Robyn Lambird wants to use her platform as one of the world’s top wheelchair racers to inspire others.

The Curtin University student is ranked in the top five for the T34 100m and 200m events and is competing in the European leg of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix.

Lambird finished second in the T34 100m and fourth in the T34 200m in Nottwil, Switzerland, and is hoping to improve at the next event in Grosseto, Italy, this weekend.

The Hillarys resident has cerebral palsy and is fundraising to ensure her presence at November’s World Para Athletics Championships in Dubai.

She said she was proud to be a role model for people living with disabilities and did not shy away from the spotlight which accompanied her achievements.

“The thing that I enjoy most is the opportunities it has given me to travel and the platform to inspire other youngsters with disabilities to pursue their passions,” Lambird said.

“Growing up, I didn’t feel as though I had many role models living with disabilities around me that I could look up to and I rarely saw anyone like me reflected back in the media.

“I hope I can use my platform to provide that for others and to help guide people through some of the challenges that we share living with disabilities.”

The 22-year-old’s ascension up the T34 sprint rankings is not the start of her sporting endeavours, having previously represented WA in wheelchair rugby.

She said she was relishing the chance to qualify for the upcoming World Championships, and also the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.