Wiktoria Mucha, born in 2002, has been on an incredible journey of self-discovery and athletic achievement, shaped by her experiences as someone with cerebral palsy. The condition affects both her arms and legs, but from a young age, Wiktoria was determined to lead an active life.
Her sporting journey began in November 2015, when, at the age of 13, her mother introduced her to Frame Running - a sport specifically designed for people with cerebral palsy and other physical disabilities or neurological conditions that affect balance and coordination. In this sport, athletes use a 3-wheeled frame with saddle and chest support to enable them to run independently. At Perth Strathtay Harriers, Wiktoria immediately fell in love with the sport, which not only provided significant physical therapy benefits but also allowed her to make lasting friendships with others who shared similar experiences. Over the years, she accumulated an impressive number of medals at regional and national competitions.
Although she no longer competes at the competition level, Wiktoria continues to be deeply involved in Frame Running, helping coach younger athletes at the same club and still benefiting from the physical and social aspects of the sport.
Swimming was another area where Wiktoria excelled. After undergoing major hip surgery at the age of 14, her physiotherapist recommended swimming as part of her recovery plan. Initially, Wiktoria did not enjoy swimming, despite her parents' efforts to get her involved at an early age. However, after joining the Perth Dolphins Disability Swimming Club in 2016, under the guidance of club coach Kim Marshall, Wiktoria began to thrive. She enjoyed her weekly Sunday sessions at Perth Leisure Pool, and even earned several medals, including a joint award for "Most Improved Swimmer."
Perth & Kinross Disability Sport were beginning to play a bigger part in Wiktoria's sporting life, offering new opportunities to engage, participate, enjoy and compete in a wide variety of sports.
Her next sporting chapter began with wheelchair sports at the Perth Eagles Wheelchair Sports Club, where she enjoyed trying a variety of wheelchair sports. However, her true passion emerged when she was introduced to wheelchair fencing in 2021. After attending an Eagles session, delivered in partnership with Salle Ossian Fencing Club, Wiktoria was hooked. She quickly realized that this sport was something truly special, and just two weeks later, she attended her first club session with Salle Ossian. This marked the start of a new journey, one that has taken her to competitions across the UK, where she has won multiple medals, including a silver medal in sabre at the British Fencing Open Championships. As part of her development, and under the guidance of club coach, Phil Carson, Wiktoria is now involved in the British Fencing Wheelchair Athlete Development Programme, where she meets and trains with other athletes in the sport.
The commitment to wheelchair fencing has not come without sacrifices, as Wiktoria frequently travels between Scotland and England for training camps. But her passion, combined with the unwavering support of her family, has made it all possible. Through these camps, she has made lifelong friends and developed a deep sense of community with fellow wheelchair fencers.
Wiktoria's future in wheelchair fencing looks bright. She has applied to the True Athlete Project (TAP) Global Athlete Mentoring Program, where, if selected, she will be paired with a senior athlete mentor who will guide her both physically and mentally in her pursuit of excellence.
Looking ahead, Wiktoria dreams of representing Great Britain at the international level as a wheelchair fencer. However, she also has ambitions outside of competitive sport, Wiktoria aspires to support people with disabilities to be more active and find a passion in their chosen sport.
Her advice to others is simple yet profound: "Try all kinds of different sports to see what you enjoy because you never know where the journey can take you." Wiktoria's story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the impact of sport in shaping one's life. She hopes to inspire the next generation to dream big and, like her, find joy and purpose in sport.
Wiktoria's journey is far from over - she has many more chapters to write, and she is excited to see what the future holds in both her sporting career and beyond.