An IED explosion in Afghanistan forced Ricky Banner to have his foot amputated. Now, he’s the first disabled athlete to complete a Hyrox pro event just like anyone else – same weight, same distance, same pain cave – and he’s discovered just how capable he is.
This story is part of Men’s Health’s #FitForEveryBody initiative, which aims to explore the challenges that keep men from participating in sports and fitness – and what training communities can do to foster greater inclusivity.
I remember lying on the floor and there was smoke, dust and debris everywhere. I tried to stand up, but it felt like there was a house on my legs. I screamed in pain and said to the lad next to me, ‘I think my foot’s come off. Can you check?’ He grabbed hold of my foot and started moving it. I screamed again. It was still attached and I was in agony.
Eventually, they got me on a helicopter. I woke up in Camp Bastion with a light over my head. My first thought genuinely was, ‘I’ve died.’ Suddenly, I saw two young medics. They explained to me that I had a choice: I could either try to keep my foot, but the chances are it’s not going to work, and I’d want it amputated eventually – or I could have it amputated now.
I spent the following night crying because I knew that’s what I needed to do. I knew I couldn’t handle a year of what I was going through in that moment. I agreed to have it amputated.
I spent the next few months at home, which got a bit dark, if I’m honest. I was thinking my life’s over, I can’t do this.
Hyrox came into my life a few years later – after rehab, after my divorce and after I’d started working in schools, providing support and safeguarding to secondary school kids. I went to watch an event and I thought, ‘Wow, everyone is fit as hell.’ I walked out and one of the athletes, Tyler Saunders, came after me. I heard his wheelchair on the cobbles. He chased me down and was like, ‘You should do it.’
Once I started doing Hyrox, I realised no disabled athlete in the world had done a men’s pro without any adaptations, so I thought I’d do pro in Glasgow. On the day of the event, someone ran past me, tapped me on the back and was like, ‘Mate, you’re incredible. Well done. Keep going.’ That little boost picked me up and I thought, ‘Step it up. You know you’ve got more.’
I finished Glasgow in my second fastest time, 1:22. That’s only a few minutes slower than my PR, but the weights on the pro event are quite humbling because the sleds don’t move too easy and the lunges are a lot more difficult with a 30kg bag.
Now I’m thinking, ‘How much more can I get out of myself?’ I’m not going after flags or podiums or world championships; I’m out to prove that while I am disabled, I’m also very able. Hyrox has taught me that.