Amy Truesdale

2020 was supposed to be the year of the Tokyo Paralympics. It was THE event that most para-athletes had dedicated the last four years of training to. Yet for Para-Taekwondo athlete, Amy Truesdale, the Tokyo Paralympic Games meant so much more.

Para-Taekwondo was due to make its Paralympic debut in the Tokyo 2020 and Amy Truesdale was set to make British Paralympic history by being the first para-athlete to represent GB in this sport. Some would perhaps become disheartened with the news of the Tokyo Paralympic Games being postponed until next year, but for Amy, she has focused on only the positives in the situation and Why Can’t We got the opportunity to catch up with Amy to disucss her training and preparation for 2021, along with her hopes for the future:

1. Tell us about yourself and how you got into the sport.

I am Amy Truesdale and I was born with my left hand/forearm missing. My parents had two daughters, myself and sister Chloe, and they felt it was paramount that we gained some essential life skills on how to protect ourselves, so they took us along to a local Taekwondo class.

I started with a Taekwondo club that was a semi-contact style and I competed with this organisation for 20 years against able-bodied competitors. I eventually moved over to the Olympic WT Style, and again fought against able-bodied athletes. It was then during 2009, where Para-Taekwondo made its debut and I compete at the first-ever Para championships.

2. For those that don’t know, can you explain the classifications of Para-Taekwondo and are there any differences in the rules?

K43 includes athletes with a bilateral amputation below the elbow or equivalent loss of function in both upper limbs. K44 includes athletes with unilateral arm amputation (or equivalent loss of function loss of toes which impact the ability to lift the heel properly.

In Olympic Taekwondo and Para-Taekwondo, the rules are nearly the same as fights are three 2-minute rounds. However, in Para-Taekwondo athletes are not allowed to kick to the head, unlike Olympic Taekwondo where headshots are often used. Additional points are awarded for a spinning kick to the body as it is considered a more complex technique.

3. You won your first World Title in 2014, how was this experience and did your mindset change at all after winning gold?

It was a great experience and I enjoyed the competition. My mindset was that I need to keep going and this was the start of something special. I was still hoping at this point that Para TKD would eventually be included in the Paralympic Games, so winning the World Championships pushed me to aim for the next biggest title.

4. You’re now a full-time athlete, what does a usual day of training look like?

A usual day of training looks like this:

• Fasted weigh-in in the morning

• Kick in the morning for 2 hours

• Lunch and recovery before the next session

• Strength and conditioning session in afternoon which could be a bike session or weights

I will train twice a day Monday to Friday and my time in the afternoons will be meetings with our service providers such as Physiotherapists, Nutritionists and coaches.

5. Can you tell us more about your journey to being part of the ParalympicsGB squad?

I first competed in a Para competition in 2009. I felt it was a new avenue and opportunity, so I continued competing and consistently medaling. Due to my medal success and World Champion win in 2017, I received full-time funding for a world-class Paralympic program as they could see Paralympic medal potential in me which resulted in my becoming a full-time athlete.

6. How does it feel to be making history by being the first Para-taekwondo athlete to represent GB at a Paralympics? Does this add any extra pressure?

I feel very fortunate and it feels amazing that I could make history by becoming the first person to medal at the Paralympic Games. I have been ranked number one in the world for a few years now so obviously there is some added pressure as I am a favourite and expected to do well. I just have to see it as a once in a lifetime opportunity and not pressure.

7. I can imagine that all your training was centred around being ready for the 2020 Paralympic Games, so now it’s been postponed until 2021, how did this news affect you and your preparation? Has an extra year of training impacted you at all?

I expected the games to be postponed so I wasn’t particularly shocked or affected. Once the news was announced, I just continued to train and felt grateful that I had another year of opportunities to progress and prepare even more.

8. As it has been rescheduled, training has had to continue for you. How did you continue to train during the lockdown?

I had continued support and daily contact with my coaches and support staff who sent me over training plans to ensure I was maintaining my fitness over lockdown. I stayed with my sister and little nephew during lockdown, and luckily my sister has a garden so I could use the outdoor space to train twice a day.

9. In your opinion, what effects do you think the media has on disability sport?

I think the media has gradually improved in covering disabled sports, however, I feel like more exposure and media coverage is needed for disabled sports and athletes. When it has been covered more in the media, I feel it has had a positive effect as it provides a good insight into the sports and educates societies views about how capable Para-athletes are. Often society can put limitations on Para-athletes before they have been given their time to shine.

10. And finally, what is your favourite thing about competing in Para-taekwondo and what are your goals for the future?

My favourite thing is inspiring others and watching other athletes who have the same impairment as myself compete on a world stage. Competing in Para-Taekwondo is very special to me as it showcases that people with different abilities can still achieve great things and inspire others. My goals for the future are to become the first Paralympic Taekwondo champion and then qualify a spot for Paris 2024 so I can continue my Paralympic journey.