The ongoing global pandemic has caused the entire world to go into lockdown and has effectively cancelled all sports events from going ahead for the time being. The lockdown has left many of wheelchair basketball’s premier athletes stranded in different countries during this time. Rollt.’s Dylan Cummings spoke with several top players from GB and USA who are on lockdown in Germany and Spain respectively, to see how they are dealing with lockdown.
How are you finding lockdown?
Gaz Choudhry (4.0 / BSR AMIAB Albacete / GB): “The lockdown has been tough on everyone. I’m trying to stay as busy as I can and stay connected with people on a regular basis.”
Jake Williams (2.5 / RSB Thuringia Bulls / USA): “I think the lockdown is something that the world needed to happen. The sooner we can get everyone healthy, the sooner the world can open up again.”
Terry Bywater (4.5 / CD Ilunion / GB): “Lockdown is a strange place to be as an athlete, not having a routine is very strange. It is the complete opposite of your normal day-to-day life.”
What are you doing to keep active?
Gaz: “I’ve been doing the strength and conditioning home workouts that GB have sent us. I’ve also recently got a new puppy, so I’ve been taking him out for a walk every day which has been a good form of exercise and enjoyable to get some fresh air.”
Jake: “To stay active, I’m working out and I love having my own routine again as it’s really helping me as I feel better than I have done in years.”
Terry: “I’m doing everything I can to stay active, using furniture as weights is very interesting. The GB team have put everything in place to help every individual athlete we have.”
How are you staying connected with friends and family?
Gaz: “I’ve been using several social media apps to stay connected with friends and family and I’ve enjoyed sending memes to teammates. Thankfully this lockdown has happened in 2020 where we can connect with the world by the push of a button despite being isolated in quarantine.”
Jake: “I’m staying connected with my friends and family through various apps on social media.”
Terry: “Thanks to technology I couldn’t imagine a lockdown without Skype/WhatsApp but it makes it all that little bit easier having my son and wife around all day as I don’t normally have that luxury.”
Are you enjoying the time you have to rest and recuperate, or would you rather get back to your regular schedule?
Gaz: “The GB men’s physio, Charlie Steggles has been incredible with helping me get some much-needed recuperation on some nagging injuries. It’s been great to get a chance to address them. However, this time of year is usually based around the Final Four and I’m starting to miss the buzz you get from playing in the Champions League.”
Jake: “I’m loving the time I have to get back into my routine which is benefitting my mental health and well as my physical health. This season I didn’t have a set routine which caused me to have a lack of motivation, I felt as if I had no time to work on the aspects of basketball that I enjoyed. However, now that I have a routine again, I am able to refocus on the process of getting better.”
Terry: “I love this game it’s my life, the rest and recuperation is great for the body and mind but right now I’d love to have my schedule and get back to it. However, safety comes first, and health is much more important than any sport or game.”
What’s the first thing you intend to do once lockdown ends?
Gaz: “When lockdown ends, I’m definitely looking forward to going to the beach.”
Jake: “The first thing I’m going to do when this lockdown ends is party with all my friends.”
Terry: “Good question as I have no idea. I’d love to go to a nice restaurant and then the cinema or maybe a day at the park to play basketball, football or have a picnic with my family with the biggest smile on my face.”
Rollt. would like to thank all the athletes for giving their statements. Stay tuned to Rollt. for more exciting content during this period.
Interview: Dylan Cummings | Photos: Steffie Wunderl