Tai Woffinden: Speedway champion admits he might not race again
The crash, on 30 March, happened when Woffinden collided with a teammate and hit a fence behind a protective barrier.It left him with a double break in his right leg, a broken back, broken shoulder, multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, fractured arm and extensive blood loss.He said: "I was sliding along the track and I knew it was going to hurt. I heard my femur snap. I couldn't see either of my hands because my arm was broken."I was completely conscious through everything that happened and remember everything from the crash. I was in the helicopter being airlifted to hospital and that's when I passed out."Woffinden, who is the country's most decorated rider after winning Grand Prix world titles in 2013, 2015 and 2018, said he was unsure if he would ride again.He said: "I've got a goal in my head to be back as fast as I can but that's just something I need to chase, to focus on and give me that drive."The reality is I don't know what's next for me."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Guardian
28 minutes ago
- The Guardian
Roar to victory: what the papers say about the Lionesses Euro win
On Sunday the Lionesses staked their claim to be considered the greatest English sports team of all time in Basel, battling back from trailing Spain to win a thrilling penalty shootout in the Euros. The UK papers captured the joy across their front pages on Monday. 'Queens of Europe. England make history with Euro 2025 victory,' was front page news at the Guardian. The Mirror dedicated its front and back pages to the win, hailing the 'LionYESes' on the front and the 'Queens of hearts' on the back. Monday's front and back pages are dedicated to the Lionesses - history makers and champions again 🏴 🏆 #TomorrowsPapersToday The Telegraph celebrated 'England's roar of victory' on its front page. The front page of tomorrow's Daily Telegraph:England's roar of victory#TomorrowsPapersToday The i praised the team with the splash: 'Queens of Europe! England are champions again – in incredible show of defiance.' Monday's front page: Queens of Europe! England are champions again - in incredible show of defiance#TomorrowsPapersToday 'Golden girl Chloe fires Lionesses to Euros glory … next, a trip to the Palace,' wrote the Daily Mail on its front page. #TomorrowsPapersTodayDaily Mail: Golden girl Chloe fires Lionesses to Euros glory... next, a trip to the Palace. NOW SHUT MIGRANT PROTEST HOTEL. By Martin Beckford and Isaac more at 'Lionesses win Euros … again! Goalie is hero in thrilling penalty shootout,' was the lead story over at the Sun. After the nerve-racking penalty shootout, the paper celebrated goalie Hannah Hampton, with the headline 'The Hann of God', on its front page. #TomorrowsPapersTodayThe Sun: Lionesses win Goalie is hero in thrilling penalty shootout. THE HANN OF GOD. By ROBIN more at The Metro led with the headline: 'You've done us proud! Lionesses take Euros Final to Penalties – 'You were roarsome!' #TomorrowsPapersTodayMETRO: You've done us proud! Lionesses take Euros Final to Penalties – "You were roarsome!"Read more at Meanwhile the Times said: 'Lionesses rise to penalties drama and bring Euros title home.' #TomorrowsPapersTodayThe Times: Lionesses rise to penalties drama and bring Euros title home. Starmer to press Trump on more at
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Women's Euros: Calls for extra bank holiday as Lionesses successfully defend their title
The prime minister's being urged to declare a bank holiday after England successfully defended the Women's Euros title with a dramatic win over Spain. Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey has said an additional day off would be a fitting way of honouring a "stunning achievement" by the Lionesses. But with estimates suggesting an extra bank holiday would cost the economy £2.4bn, it's understood such a move isn't being planned by Downing Street. England fans were left in a state of euphoria after watching Sarina Wiegman's side become back-to-back champions following a nail-biting match. Alessia Russo had managed to score an equaliser in the 57th minute, leading to a penalty shootout after neither team managed to pull ahead in extra time. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, resulting in a 3-1 win on penalties. Although a bank holiday might not be on the cards, there are plans to celebrate the squad's triumphant homecoming from Switzerland. An open-top bus parade will be held in London tomorrow lunchtime along The Mall - culminating in a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. Fans can attend for free, and Sky News will broadcast it live. 1:25 PM: 'You've made the nation proud' Sir Keir Starmer was among the millions cheering on the Lionesses, and congratulated the team for their second consecutive win at the Euros. "What a team. What a game. What drama," he said. "You dug deep when it mattered most and you've made the nation proud. History makers." Prince William and Princess Charlotte, who attended the final at St Jakob-Park in Basel, added: "What a game! "Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England." King Charles also shared his "most heartfelt congratulations" on the Royal Family's official X account. He wrote: "For more years than I care to remember, England fans have sung that famous chant 'football's coming home'. "As you return home with the trophy you won at Wembley three years ago, it is a source of great pride that, through sporting skill and awesome teamwork, the Lionesses have made those words ring true. "For this, you have my whole family's warmest appreciation and admiration. More than that, though, you have shown through your example over past weeks that there are no setbacks so tough that defeat cannot be transformed into victory, even as the final whistle looms." The King went on to set a fresh mission for the Lionesses, writing: "The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can!" Fans, players (and managers!) celebrate In pubs and living rooms across the country, supporters stood on tables, waved flags and threw their drinks in the air - revelling in the fact that football is staying home. Tower Bridge was lit up in red and white, and at a presentation ceremony, star striker Michelle Agyemang was named young player of the tournament. The 19-year-old had just one England cap before the Euros, and scored crucial equalisers as the Lionesses came from behind in the quarter-final and semi-final. Victory for the Lionesses is also a huge achievement for Sarina Wiegman, who has now led squads to the Euros trophy three times: The Netherlands once, and England twice. The Dutchwoman admitted that no tournament had been more "chaotic" and "ridiculous" than this one - and revealed her plans to celebrate at a post-match news conference. "I'll do some more dancing," said Wiegman. "And I'll have a drink, but I don't think I will drink as much as the players."
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Darts fans are kicked out of Matchplay event in Blackpool after protesting against transgender player Noa-Lynn van Leuven during women's tournament
Darts fans have claimed they were kicked out of the Winter Gardens at Blackpool after protesting against the inclusion of Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the Women's World Matchplay tournament. Eight of the top women's players in the world took part in the one-day tournament on Sunday, playing quarter-finals, semi-finals and an eventual final. Beau Greaves was the heavy favourite to win the competition, while Fallon Sherrock also took part, but it was Lisa Ashton who took home the trophy. One incident away from the oche, though, attracted attention, with three women claiming they were escorted out the building for attempting to protest as van Leuven made her entrance. Van Leuven, 28, who began her gender transition as a teenager, has stormed up the women's rankings in recent months by winning multiple titles, and completed her hormone therapy in 2022. She has been taking part in the women's series recently, though three women protested on Sunday - with one holding a banner reading: 'He's a man' an the other wearing a shirt which said: 'Save women's sport.' WARNING : Strong language This is the footage of the moment we were removed. For standing up at Women's World Matchplay Darts who let Noa-Lynn Van Loeven play against women. We hadn't said anything when they attacked us with force. @OfficialPDC these are your security. — Jean Hatchet (@JeanHatchet) July 27, 2025 Darts fans have claimed they were kicked out of the Women's World Matchplay for protesting against Noa-Lynn van Leuven The incident took place when van Leuven was set to make her entrance to take on Lorraine Winstanley - a game she won 4-0. The two protestors appeared to stand, with security leaping to them right away and appeared to take them out the premises. The two demonstrators struggled as they were moved away, with writer Jean Hatchet claiming she was one of the women and sharing her version of events on social media on Sunday evening. She shared a video of the incident, captioned: 'This is the footage of the moment we were removed. For standing up at Women's World Matchplay Darts who let Noa-Lynn van Loeven play against women.' She also explained how her partner had a banner that read: 'Noa-Lynn a man.' Hatchet also claimed that she, alongside her girlfriend, who was also removed, was at no point asked to leave and would have done so had she been asked. When approached by Mail Sport for comment, Hatchet said: 'We saw that PDC the organisers intended to allow Noa-Lynn Van Leuven to compete again in the UK despite the recent Supreme Court ruling clarifying the meaning of the word woman to mean, as it has always meant, "biological female". 'We wanted to make a simple statement that Van Leuven is a man, he should compete as he used to in the men's competition. We sat quietly enjoying the darts. People held up many signs with different messages encouraged by the event. I don't know how or why but when I held up one saying "he's a man" within seconds I was grabbed hard by security and the sign ripped from my hands. 'My girlfriend didn't get a chance to hold hers up at all before we were attacked by more security. They grabbed us hard and pushed us and then more arrived. I shouted that I just wanted to get my bag and I'd leave. They refused and really grabbed me hard. I tried to struggle because they were really hurting me. I said "let me walk out, just give me my bag" but they all grabbed me harder. I have really serious bruises. At one point the man said "Why are you doing this homophobic s***?" 'It was painful and humiliating and they pushed and shoved me when they finally dropped me. It was disgusting. They handed me over to Winter Gardens Staff who looked a bit shocked but didn't intervene.' Van Leuven revealed before the World Championship last year that she had faced adversity in the build-up, receiving death threats, while team-mates Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra refused to play with her and English player Deta Hedman against her. She became the first transgender player to compete at the Grand Slam of Darts in November last year, and she has qualified to play at the World Championship at Alexandra Palace for the first time last Christmas. PDC chief executive Matt Porter insisted last year that the current policy on transgender players is 'fair', giving Van Leuven the green light to compete on the biggest stage. Still, both men and women compete equally in the tournament. Focus has generally been on the star competing in women's events, with Hedman arguing: 'People can be whoever they want in life, but I don't think biologically born men should compete in women's sports.' Van Leuven again opened up on the discrimination she has faced, suggesting she does not have an advantage over other women at the oche. 'Sometimes I'm accused of having an advantage over others because of my height,' she said. 'But look at Beau [Greaves]. We're the same height. Or look at Phil Taylor. He's beaten everyone and he's a small guy.' 'Others see an alleged advantage in the movements of my hips. I would stand differently than CIS women. Then there are people who come up with a study from handball, according to which there are differences between men and women in the throw, specifically in the backswing, and also in the lunge movement. 'So, the last time I played darts, I didn't do a backswing or a lunge. It's f***ing darts. What are we talking about?'
