Wheelchair rugby star to receive honorary degree

Roberts returned to his studies at Coventry University after recovering from a double leg amputation

A Paralympic gold medallist is being awarded an honorary doctorate by Coventry University for his sporting excellence.

Welshpool-born Jim Roberts MBE was part of the Paralympics GB Wheelchair Rugby Team which won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

He was in his first year at the university when he underwent a double leg amputation due to contracting bacterial meningitis, but graduated after recovering.

"It's a huge honour and it means so much coming from Coventry University, which I’ve got such a connection to," said Roberts.

"I was determined to come back to Coventry when I'd recovered," he said.

"Everybody was so helpful and encouraging when I was ill and when I returned to study."

Roberts eventually completed his degree in Architectural Design Technology, earning first-class honours.

He was a rugby player before his amputations, and soon set his mind to wheelchair rugby.

Eventually, Roberts got onto the Team GB wheelchair Rugby Development Squad, and competed with them in the United States.

He scored 105 tries across Great Britain's five matches at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

"Wheelchair rugby is a completely different sport to rugby. I wasn't a natural and you're using totally different muscles," said Roberts, who has now retired fromthe sport.

"When we won the gold for Paralympics GB it felt like a huge relief, there had been so much uncertainty because of Covid and I knew this would be my final Games, it just felt like the best possible way to bow out.

"I'm so happy to be given this award - it would be strange coming from any other university."

He will be presented with his doctorate at a ceremony on Tuesday 16 July.