Billy Monger generated huge support and admiration when he raced his first Paralympic distance event at T100 London recently – but he says “it was the wake-up call I needed”.
The former racing driver, now 26, suffered a near-fatal crash in April 2017 during an incident at Donington Park which led to the amputation of both his legs.
But he set an incredible new IRONMAN World Championship record in Kona last October by becoming the fastest double leg amputee to complete the Hawaii course in a time of 14:23:36, taking more than two hours off the previous best.
And now he’s set his sights on the other end of the distance spectrum as he starts working towards what he calls his “ultimate goal of competing at the LA 2028 Paralympics”.
From a competitive aspect that started in London over the Paralympic distance of 750 metres for swimming, 20 kilometres for cycling, and 5km for running.
His performance there was a highly creditable one but in his latest YouTube video, which is embedded below, he says it underlined to him just what a task he has taken on – and this coming from a man who has raised around £5million for Comic Relief with his various challenges.
‘There’s a lot to learn from that one’
Reflecting on the London experience, Billy says: “The swim and the bike could have been better so that gave me a little bit of extra get up and go for the run where I knew I had to leave it all out on the table.
“Coming down the finish line, honestly the noise was just amplified to the next level.
“When I crossed that finish line there were a whole heap of emotions that hit me at once. Relief, pride – and I just want to soak it all in, that’s what triathlon’s all about – giving it your best on the day and just enjoying the journey and the ride it takes you on.”
But he added: “There’s a lot to learn from that one – that distance is a beast and it’s so different to Kona
“I think if I’m being brutally honest, this was a wake-up call for me. And if I’m honest with myself, have I been as disciplined as I was when I did Kona? Probably not. I think I could have been stronger and performed better.”
The GOAT inspired by Monger
And that’s given him renewed belief going forward as he added: “What I’m attempting is going to be the hardest thing I’ve ever attempted – the most competitive sport in the world, on the biggest stage.
“There’s no room to not to be disciplined. I feel like I can still do it. So I really need to lock in and go all in on this sport for the next three years.”
And he couldn’t have a much better mentor in the shape of triathlon GOAT contender Jan Frodeno.
The mutual respect between them is obvious in the video when they meet up, with Jan saying: “You love giving back. I just feel like a lot of people – and this is totally assuming – would feel that things have been taken from them.
“Literally I get goosebumps – it’s very, very inspiring and it genuinely puts all our little problems into so much perspective.”
Perfectly said as ever by Jan and it’s going to be fascinating to see the journey unfold.
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