Paralysed boy completes team triathlon event

Emerson and his mum Anna-Marina took part in the Superhero Tri using adapted equipment

A 10-year-old schoolboy who is paralysed from the chest down is aspiring to complete every discipline of the triathlon after taking part in an inclusive event.

Emerson, from near Weybridge, Surrey, completed the cycling and run/push sections of the Superhero Tri challenge at Eton Dorney Lake in Berkshire on Saturday along with his mum Anna-Marina.

The full triathlon event is comprised of a 20km (12.4 mile) cycle, 750m swim and 5km (3.1 mile) push/run.

Emerson, who has competed annually since the event was launched in 2017, said he was "very tired" but added that he "wanted to try all three sports next time".

He took part with his mum, stepdad Rob and his best friend Leo with all four team members dressed as the Fantastic Four.

Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Anna-Marina said: "We don't let Emerson's disability define him.

"He's going to be bigger, bolder and even braver and he'll take on all three sports next year and I'm already looking at how we make that happen."

Emerson already takes part in wheelchair racing, so the next challenge is to adapt the swimming section of the event.

His mum added: "We need to get Emerson in the pool, whether I pull him in a boat or something, we're going to find a way we can do it altogether."

Emerson has been taking part in the Superhero Tri event since it began in 2017

Emerson was left paralysed from the chest down by a spinal cord injury sustained during an operation to decompress a cyst on his spinal nerve when he was 19 months old.

During his recovery, his family were inspired by the 2016 Rio Paralympics on TV.

The Superhero Tri series was launched by Surrey paralympian Sophia Warner and allows disabled and non-disabled people to take part in triathlons - either solo, or in a team.