BMX champion Sam Willoughby inducted into BMX Hall of Fame
Despite a horror injury, Sam Willouoghby continues to inspire people from many walks of life and now the champion rider can add BMX Australia Hall of Fame member to his resume.
BMX superstar Sam Willoughby has packed in plenty in his 28 years – Olympic Games silver medallist, two-times world champion and coach of his wife Alyse’s two world championships in 2017 and 2019.
Now the SA-born, and San Diego-based champion can add another accolade to his treasure trove as an inductee to the BMX Australia Hall of Fame, announced last week on the Gold Coast.
He attended the night mainly to present the Sam Willoughby Medal to the outstanding rider of the past year, unaware of his impending induction.
In Australia to receive his award, catch up with family at Trott Park and undertake a short speaking/motivational tour, Willoughby said his award was a great honour.
“It was certainly very special and humbling and something I am very appreciative of,’’ Willoughby said.
“My career ended sooner than I would have liked but I have a lot to be grateful for.
“I have had so much support – my family, Alyse and her family and the BMX family. “Coaching Alyse who has won two of the past three world championships is just about more rewarding than any of my own results.
“I am doing really well but I have tough days and some better than others. I just make the most of things I can do.’’
Willoughby, 28 last week, became a tetraplegic (paralysed from the chest down) in 2016 in a training accident in Chula Vista (near San Diego), not long after the Rio Olympic Games where he finished sixth.
Willoughby won silver at the 2012 London Olympics to become Australia’s only Olympic Games BMX medallist.
Since then Willoughby’s amazing spirit has inspired many, taking a few steps when he married Alyse on New Year’s Eve 2017, proving an invaluable mentor to athletes and coaching his wife to a second world championship in July after she had a crash in the earlier rounds.
Parents Colin and Sharon Willoughby said their son was inspirational.
“It was really excellent that he was inducted. We are so proud of his efforts and results,’’ Colin said.
“It was awesome to be recognised the way he was, especially when your career is cut short,’’ Sharon added.
“He is certainly well respected. Sam is still able to give back to the sport and looks at what he can do and not what he can’t do.’’
Willoughby has a few more motivational talks to give in Australia before he and Alyse return to San Diego at the end of August.