– says Walter Grant Stuart, who ‘single-handedly’ wins cycling championships
By Vishani Ragobeer
It’s not quite often that one can lose something vital to them and yet manage to make the best of what’s left. However, Walter Grant- Stuart- a Guyanese and Caribbean cyclist who lost his right arm a few years ago refuses to let his disability stop him from enjoying his life and what he does.

About seven years ago, Walter was a fireman whose job was “fire rescue” at the Fire Prevention Department of the Guyana Fire Service. While on the job, he bravely rushed to save persons entrapped in fires, but when off duty he realized that he had a passion for cycling.
He began cycling and found out that he was pretty good at it and began participating in the sport more intensely.

Walter balanced his rescuing and cycling for some time before tragedy struck, causing him to stop both activities.
“I was involved in a motor-cycle accident.”
Due to this, he lost most of his right arm, which was amputated.
An accident of this sort would have proven detrimental to persons engaging in the activities that Walter engaged in. However he noted that instead of letting the accident “break” him, he used it to motivate himself.

“The accident motivated me to do better,” he attested. “It motivated me to train harder so that I can finish with the rest of the guys.”
The one-handed cyclist said that in the past six years since he lost his arm, he has participated in a number of competitions and championships both in Guyana and in the Caribbean.

The 30-year-old participates in about 46 races in a year and due to his prowess, he has been able to travel to places like Anguilla for the John T. Memorial 102- mile road race (where he copped the first place), French Guiana and Trinidad and Tobago. Nationally, he said, “I take part in all the races.”
His most recent race was Saturday November, 19. While Walter did not get to complete this race due to a double puncture to his bicycle, he remains optimistic that he will gain a podium finish at his next race.

Speaking about his training schedule, Walter noted that he trains six times a week. Of these six times, he said that he trains by riding from Georgetown to Linden and back about four times. This feat, he explained, takes him about six hours.
“Most person don’t train hard like me,” he said, and disclosed that this is perhaps why he is so good at what he does.
The cyclist also mentioned that he is seeking to take his cycling career to the next level. He disclosed that he is seeking to take part in the “Paralympics World Championships” next year.

To prepare for these championships, Walter elaborated that he is currently considering moving to Guadeloupe so that he would be able to train more intensively.
His wife, who he married in 2012, has remained steadfast behind his cycling endeavors and serves as a great motivator.Grant Stuart acknowledged that she would accompany him when he goes to train.

While his disability motivated him to train harder and perform better at cycling, Walter disclosed however, he can no longer engage in fire rescue and is mostly stuck doing office work at the Fire Service.
Grant- Stuart encourages anyone out there who feels like they are facing any hardship, that all hope is not lost. “Prayer is a must… I gather most of my strength from the Lord,” he noted and added, “Everyone has their own luck and everyone has their own potential.”
“Nothing is impossible,” said Walter Grant Stuart, who ‘single-handedly’ continues to pedal his way through cycling competitions.