Robyn Love achieves Rio dream

Robyn Love claims she's stunned herself after earning a dream trip to the Paralympic Games, barely two years after gambling on quitting Edinburgh to give wheelchair basketball a go.

Robyn Love

The 25-year-old was named yesterday in a British squad of 12 for Rio, thus completing a meteoric rise since she ditched her job at Edinburgh Napier University for a shot in the sport.

It’s been a steep learning curve, admits Love, who had to undergo excruciating surgeries in her teens after she was born with a condition that limited the growth of her legs.

And getting the green light has made her wild bet pay off.

“We found out earlier this week when he got taken into a meeting with the head coach,” Love said. “It was a bit scary but thank goodness I was selected. I can’t quite believe it. I only started playing two years ago after watching it at London 2012. I was debating whether to try it for a long time. But I did and now I’m going to Rio.”

It took a bit of gentle encouragement to push her towards playing, testing the waters before linking up with local club Lothian Phoenix to sharpen up her skills.

“I don’t use a chair in daily life so I’d no idea I could even give it a go,” Love said.

After taking bronze at last year’s European Championships, Love insists GB are now gunning for a medal in Brazil. And with ten English team-mates at her side, she’ll aim to stand out.

“We are a bit of a minority – me and the Northern Irish girl on the team,” she confirmed. “But it gives us a little extra edge.”