Taz Nicholls, a former semi-professional footballer, is set to make his Commonwealth Games debut in the seated discus event in Glasgow this summer. The 38-year-old from Barnet turned to athletics after a severe leg injury ended his football career in 2013, and he has since become one of Europe's top seated throwers.
From Football to Discus
Nicholls was an accomplished amateur football player before his injury. While working at a college football academy gym, he was approached by an athletics coach who encouraged him to pursue throwing. After a meeting with a coach and classification, he began his athletics journey. He emailed GB Athletics and was told, 'You're a big guy - you're a thrower.'
Just five years later, he was selected for Great Britain at the European Championships in Berlin, finishing fifth in the F44 discus competition. Reflecting on representing his country, he said: 'It's the highest honour you can have. I was very nervous because normally it's your little community at a competition, and now all of a sudden I've got Germany, Estonia, and the Czech Republic alongside me. You think, this is real. This is happening.'
A Close-Knit Community
Nicholls appreciates the camaraderie among seated throwers: 'There aren't too many seated throwers, so often at a competition it's the same faces. You get to know your competitors and become a little community. It's a good little group.' One of those faces is Dan Greaves, the godfather of English para-throwing, who is still competing at age 43. Greaves has a silver medal from the Sydney Paralympics in 2000 and multiple world and European titles. Nicholls admires him: 'He's a legend in the sport. You don't go this long and compete at the highest level and not be an aspirational figure.'
Glasgow 2026 Awaits
Nicholls will wear Team England colors in Glasgow and is eager to perform in front of friends and family. He said: 'I think I'll be laser-focused, but it's hard because my F57 discus event is on the penultimate day. I'm interested in swimming, especially. I'm most excited to see the area. You always hear about the Rangers-Celtic rivalry, so it will be nice to see what that is like.'
