Benjamin Sleet, a brave 12-year-old boy from the UK, has accomplished an incredible feat – he is the first person in the country to successfully execute a backflip in a wheelchair! Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, Benjamin has always relied on a wheelchair to navigate the world around him.
Benjamin’s journey into extreme sports began when he was introduced to wheelchair motocross (WCMX) at the age of eight during a skateboard jam event. However, it was when he got his hands on a specialized skate chair that his skills truly took off. After just a few months of practice, including landing in a foam pit, Benjamin decided to take the plunge and attempt a backflip at the skate park earlier this month. His courage paid off, and he succeeded in becoming the youngest person in the UK, and the first male, to achieve this amazing feat.
WCMX is a sport that combines elements of skateboarding and BMX, and it was invented by Aaron Fotheringham from Las Vegas. Benjamin, hailing from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, shared his excitement about the experience, saying, “I was shocked at first, and then I felt excited – it wasn’t really scary. I didn’t know I was going to do it; I just decided I was going to have a go.”
Benjamin’s journey in WCMX began when he met skateboarder Richie Inskip at a skateboard jam event. Richie introduced Benjamin to Lily Rice, the current women’s world WCMX champion, who became the first UK woman to perform a backflip at the age of 13. Lily brought along a specially adapted skate chair for Benjamin to try, and he instantly fell in love with the sport. With the help of a generous donation, Benjamin’s family was able to get him his own specialized skate chair, which allowed him to continue honing his skills. On April 3rd of this year, he successfully landed the backflip, marking a tremendous achievement in his WCMX journey.
Now, Benjamin is seeking sponsorship to take his skills to the next level of the sport. His mother, Angela Sleet, explained, “Ben was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and has always had to use a wheelchair. He’s been doing the sport for four or five years now and was only 12 in November – he’s the youngest male in Europe and the only male in the UK to have landed a wheelchair backflip.” She also added, “We just want to get the word out there about what he’s doing and get some more support – there’s a competition coming up in Germany in July, and we’d really like to go.”
Benjamin’s incredible story is a testament to the power of determination, courage, and pursuing one’s dreams, no matter the obstacles. He is an inspiration to people of all ages and abilities, showing us that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible. Let’s celebrate Benjamin’s remarkable achievement and support him on his journey to excel in this exhilarating sport.
