Talking with Thomas Young

The Road to New Delhi 2025

1. My impairment NF1

2. How I got into sports

3. What can sport do for you?

4. Is there a sport for me?

5. How do I find out my classification?

6. What are classifications?

7. How do I access para-sport?

8. Advice for parents of a child with a disability

9. What can sports clubs do for disabilities?

10.What can events do for disabilities?

11. Is para-sport for everyone?

Community Champions

Tristan 18, who has NF1

Jen, who has NF1

Joy, who has NF1

Safiya, who has NF1

The Road to New Delhi 2025

Join us, as we follow Thomas Young at the New Delhi World Para Athletics Championship 2025

Thomas runs the 100m, T38 classification. 

Saturday 27 September Session 2 1230-16:00 UK time

He ran in Heat 1, with a PB (personal best) of 10.91 seconds

Sunday 28 September Session 4 1230-16:00 UK time

Thomas won Bronze in the 100m T38 FINAL, with a time of 10.98 seconds.

This was his 3rd medal at the World Para Athletics Championships.

If you want to watch his winning run, you can watch on the Paralympic Games YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@paralympics 

• Day 2, evening session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsjrE05rTIQ
• On the timeline, at the bottom of the video, fast forward to 1:49:01

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5th August: Thomas officially selected to represent Great Britain in the men's 100 metre category.

2nd August: Thomas wins GOLD at the Novuna British Athetlic Championships in the men's ambulant 100m category. Thomas sets a season best time of 10.98.

Over the summer we shared a series of videos by our Patron, Thomas Young MBE, & NTUK Ambassador, where across a 10 part series, he introduced us to the world of para sport.

Thomas Young is a GB Para-Sprinter. He was crowned Paralympic T38 100m Champion at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, breaking the European Record in the process. He has won Paralympic Gold, World Silver in 2019 and three times been crowned European T38 100M Champion. In 2022 he was awarded an MBE for his services to Athletics.

Over the summer, he prepared for the Para Athletics World Championships taking place in New Delhi, India from 26 September to 5 October 2025.

Thomas is diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and is a Patron of Nerve Tumours UK. 

Talking with Thomas Young

1. My impairment NF1

Thomas Young MBE says ' With the support of Nerve Tumours UK, I am delighted to be able to bring to the NF community, and wider disability community, an insight into the world of para sport and what it can offer to people with impairments. You don't need to aspire to be a Paralympian to do para sport, there is something out there for everyone and through this series I'm excited to be able to introduce classifications, how to access para sport, and what you can do to support people who want to access para sport; whether you are a parent or sports club. Para sport has changed my life and I want to be able to help others find out if it could change theirs too.'

Laura Hillyard, Founder, YAura Agency, Management to Thomas Young says "Sport isn't just about physical fitness or competition, it's a gateway to confidence, community, and self belief. We often hear from disabled people who are yet to find their place in sport and from parents of young people with impairments, who are unsure where to start. It became clear that generating a conversation that breaks things down and makes para sport more accessible was crucial."

"Sport can be the place where the limitations impairments place on people transform into strengths and whether they can truly excel. We hope his series inspires people to explore what's possible and helps them find their place in sport."

2.How I got into sports

3. What can sport do for you?

4. Is there a sport for me?

5. How do I find out my classification?

6. What are classifications?

7. How do I access para-sport?

8. Advice for parents of a child with a disability

9. What can sports clubs do for disabilities?

10. What can events do for disabilities?

11. Is para-sport for everyone?

Diagnosed with NF1:  overcoming disability? How did sport support you - what are your achievements?

Send your video or quote with a photo to info@nervetumours.org.uk

"Sport isn't just about physical fitness or competition, it's a gateway to confidence, community, and self belief"

Laura Hillyard, Founder, YAura Agency

Tristan 18, who has NF1

"I refused to give up. My mum calls me her "NF1 Warrior" and I have worked hard to live up to that name. Being active and taking part in sport gave me confidence."

Jen, who has NF1

"Sport - cycling, running, swimming, and now hiking helps me to clear my head and keep active. It’s a great way to relieve stress and challenge yourself. The first step (or length or pedal!) is always the hardest, but once that is out of the way, you can do anything".

Joy, who has NF1

"Running has supported my mental health and given me strength in my fight against NF. When I run, I can forget everything else—I can just be me"

Safiya, who has NF1

"(I'm) determined to make a difference. This year, I also took part in the 5K Race for Life, which I proudly dedicated to all NF1 heroes"