My dad sparred with Frank Bruno and was in Batman – I’m targeting another Paralympics gold after finding my calling
THOMAS YOUNG is the sprinting showman of the ParalympicsGB squad — and he can thank his dad for feeling comfortable on the biggest stage.
After the Covid-hit Ghost Games of Tokyo, the South Londoner aims to retain his T38 100 metres crown in front of 67,000 people at Stade de France.
This will be the perfect stage for disabled athletes with the biggest crowds since London 2012 and Young is relishing the opportunity.
The 24-year-old likes to dance and express himself if he wins and that side of his personality comes from the paternal side of the family.
Dad Robert, who hails from Jamaica, is a former heavyweight boxer who fought 25 times between 1977 and 1986, winning ten — four by knockout.
Away from the ring, he also appeared on celluloid, appearing as an extra in one of the Star Wars films and Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman movie!
Young said: “My dad boxed down in South London in the 1970s-80s.
“He sparred with Frank Bruno when he was up-and-coming and before he became a world champion, as well as Gary Mason and the McKenzie brothers, Duke and Clinton.
“His boxing name was Bob Young. If you type that into BoxRec, he comes up.
“He really enjoyed his boxing but unfortunately picked up a couple of injuries that meant he had to leave those days behind him.
All of the events taking place at the Paris 2024 Paralympics
Each sport is broken down into subcategories giving athletes the chance to compete on equal terms with those who have a similar impairment.
Here are the events:
- Para archery
- Para athletics
- Para badminton
- Blind football
- Boccia
- Para canoe
- Para cycling
- Para equestrian
- Goalball
- Para judo
- Para powerlifting
- Para rowing
- Shooting Para sport
- Sitting volleyball
- Para swimming
- Para table tennis
- Para taekwondo
- Para triathlon
- Wheelchair basketball
- Wheelchair fencing
- Wheelchair rugby
- Wheelchair tennis
“He then went into acting and was in The Empire Strikes Back film. I believe he was in Cloud City with Lando Calrissian.
“And if you’re a Batman fan, you’ll know the scene where the Joker kills people in the art gallery. Well, he’s the first body that Jack Nicholson dances around to the Prince song.
“I’m really proud of my dad because he helped me with my sport. He understands the elite sport side of things . . . understands all the struggles I go through.
“Dad always tells me that it’s the winning that counts. That has always really stuck with me since I was a young toddler.
“I’m really competitive and that’s because my dad has made me competitive. I’m a strong believer that you have to go in there, try your best, do all you can to win.”
Young was born in July 2000 with Neurofibromatosis type one (NF1) — a genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumours to grow on his nerves.
It was watching Thriller Thursday on TV in 2012 — notably amputee runner Jonnie Peacock, now his Loughborough training partner — which inspired him to put on his running spikes.
Despite being unable to climb trees or ride bikes as a kid, it was only when he approached para-sport that he realised he had a disability.
His final is on Saturday night and he knows everyone will be hunting him down.
The Croydon-born star said: “I actually have name tags on my shoes, which say ‘Paralympic champion’. I really enjoy being the Paralympic champion.
“In Paris, I know I’ll be the man to beat. Everyone wants to beat the champion. If you do that you’ve a very good chance of being the new one.
“I know people will chase me down. I cannot wait to be there.
“These are my second Games. I want to do three, hopefully four.
“I just try to use my personality while I’m racing. After I run, if I’ve done well, sometimes I try to do a dance. I love performing.
“I danced in Tokyo. But then I realised I had 20million people watching me. By then it was too late. Hopefully I can do another dance in Paris.
“I’m a fun guy, I don’t take myself too seriously.
“If I make people smile at home, because I’m dancing — or maybe because I CAN’T dance — I’m happy.”
- ALDI are proud Official Partners of Team GB & ParalympicsGB, supporting all athletes through to Paris 2024