Darren Thomas
Cape Town, South Africa – Darren Thomas was an accomplished multi-sports athlete until a brutal attack left him paralysed from the chest down, but he fought his way back up to become a top national CrossFitter and is now about to compete on the world stage, thanks to Debt Rescue.
What does it take to pull yourself together when your life is changed irreversibly overnight? Darren Thomas is an example of never-say-die: he found his new niche in Adaptive CrossFit and, in the span of three short years, is now ready to represent South Africa at the sport’s ultimate competition.
The CrossFit Games, held in Texas from September 19-22 this year, is dubbed ‘The Super Bowl of CrossFit’. Darren qualified to compete there by scoring bronze at Wodapalooza in Miami – an annual four-day functional fitness festival, and the world’s second-largest CrossFit competition. His name is now in the history books as first male seated athlete from Africa to achieve this feat.
Let’s rewind some years, to when Darren played rugby for the Lions 7s and competed in SA Champs for kickboxing. Being suddenly on a wheelchair after a violent home invasion, one may think he needed some form of rescuing. But his personal faith and determination saw him setting out on a no-holds-barred journey of recovery and reinvention.
In 2021, Darren entered his first Adaptive CrossFit Open, so reigniting his inherent competitive spirit. On hand to provide guidance and support was a youngster called Jonathan Trumble. “We’ve been working together since he was 16,” says Darren, adding that Jonathan – now a fully qualified coach – turned 18 just before they departed for Wodapalooza.
His coach will again be by his side when Darren faces the high-energy music in Texas. “We plan to leave on September 12 to acclimatise before official competition registration on the 18th. Jonathan was one of youngest coaches ever to attend Wodapalooza and it may the case in Texas, too. But when we started working together at Juggernaut Gym, there was an immediate connection.”
Darren says his able coach started by helping him stack weights, and soon their relationship was firmly set. “By now he knows everything about me! He’s an excellent CrossFitter but also a weightlifter who has represented SA at the Commonwealth Games. After working together for three years, he knows best how to support me.”
Then, in the more recent past, another serendipitous episode occurred: “I heard through a friend what Debt Rescue does and how they get involved with their community.” For those not in the know: Debt Rescue has been voted the best debt counselling company in South Africa, and sponsoring cool causes such as Darren’s participation in Texas is part of the company’s ethos.
Says Debt Rescue CEO, Neil Roets: “Darren’s story is testament to the power of the human spirit. We are incredibly proud to support him as he represents South Africa on the global stage. His journey will undoubtedly inspire many to face their challenges head-on and strive for greatness.” Established in 2008, Debt Rescue has assisted thousands of South Africans in restructuring their debt and regaining control of their finances. Sending Darren and Jonathan to Texas fits in perfectly with this picture.
“With Debt Rescue’s support, I am closer to achieving a dream that once seemed impossible,” says Darren. “I hope to inspire others to believe in their potential and overcome their own obstacles.” He will compete against the top 10 adaptive athletes in the world, all aiming to be named the Fittest Adaptive Athlete on Earth.
“So far, I’ve qualified tied sixth in the world, with the top 10 going through to the Texas trials. I’m really hoping for a podium position – a third place is as good gold, taking into account that I’m competing at the highest injury level.” Darren is classified as Level T2 and will be up against athletes up to T12, which makes it much tougher for him. But he’s ready and set for this, his “biggest personal challenge yet”.
Debt Rescue invites everyone to join in backing Darren Thomas on his journey to the CrossFit Games in Texas. Your support will not only help to share his story of resilience but also inspire countless others to embrace their challenges and pursue their dreams. Email darrenthomas46@icloud.com if you have questions or would like to contribute, and see www.debtrescue.co.za for further details.
Story Submitted: Goji PR
