26/06/202625/06/2026

One month after welcoming daughter Rosie, Hannah Cockroft CBE reflects on stepping away from elite sport, embracing motherhood and why this new chapter has only added to her strength.

For the nine-time Paralympic champion, the past year has been unlike any other in her remarkable career.

Pregnancy meant spending the longest time away from her racing chair in 18 years.

But rather than focusing on what she couldn’t do, the experience gave her a new appreciation for what her body could achieve.

“I’m so proud of my body and how it has adapted to pregnancy,” she said. “What has surprised me the most is just how much I can still do.”

The Kukri Sports ambassador continued training in the gym until 32 weeks pregnant and says the experience reinforced her belief that years of elite sport have equipped her for challenges beyond competition.

“It makes me proud that the training I do doesn’t just make me strong on the track, but in everyday life too.”

While pregnancy revealed a different kind of strength, stepping away from athletics brought its own challenges.

“The biggest adjustment for me has been being out of the chair and the lack of routine,” she admits.

“Seeing my husband Nathan continue our training routine without me took a lot of getting used to.

“I went along with him to one training session and spent it sat in the car crying because I couldn’t join in.”

Now, with daughter Rosie, Hannah is already looking ahead.

“I’m hopeful that once I’m back in training and preparing for the LA Paralympic Games, I can share more of my experiences of pregnancy and motherhood, and show that para-athletes can come back to the top of the podium after childbirth with the right support.”

With her sights already set on a return to competition, Cockroft hopes her experience can inspire others to believe that motherhood doesn’t mean the end of ambition.

“I just hope people realise that motherhood isn’t the end for me. It’s just the start of a new chapter and a new challenge.

“I’m more motivated than ever to come back, and I hope to be that inspiration to others that anything is possible!”