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Paralympic Athlete Who Lost All 4 Limbs Inspires Flex Wheeler With Unimaginable Recovery: “This Is True Strength and Courage”

Published 02/23/2023, 5:15 AM EST

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Inspirations lie hidden everywhere. And when it comes to the world of sports, there are countless examples of willpower and determination to overcome personal struggles and hurdles. However, when a bodybuilding star, who has won countless battles and continues to serve as an inspirational figure himself, finds inspiration elsewhere. After losing all his limbs in an unfortunate incident, David Bartolo Morana’s road to recovery has been nothing short of spectacular. So much so, that it struck a special chord with a former Arnold Classic winner.

Taking to his Instagram, this four-time Arnold Classic champion, who dominated the late 1990s, shared a story about David Morana and his inspirational journey. In fact, Flex Wheeler could relate to Morana in more ways than one.

David Morana’s journey fueled Flex Wheeler to forge through life

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David Morana, a 29-year-old Italian para-athlete rose to prominence for his indomitable spirit to fight back for life. At age 24, Morana contracted Meningitis type C, which resulted in him losing both his arms and legs. Just 5 years later, he is all set to represent his nation at the Paris Paralympic Games 2024. A Track and Field athlete, Morana will be a contender for the 100m and 200m race next year in Paris. He became the Italian champion in both disciplines in 2022, which was a follow-up to his 100m title victory in 2021.

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But before all of this, his journey from losing all limbs to achieving athletic stability is what moved someone like Flex Wheeler. Wheeler, an amputee himself, lost his right leg after surgery in 2019. The surgery was a result of his kidney disease, which he had contracted over two decades ago. He wrote in his Instagram story, “@DAVIDBARTOLOMORANA YOU INSPIRE ME TO KEEP GOING. THANK YOU FOR SHARING. THIS IS TRUE STRENGTH AND COURAGE.”

Alongside, Wheeler shared a video from Valutainment’s Insta handle that showed Morana’s road to recovery. From his hospital bed, with his limbs wrapped around in bandages, to slowly learning to walk with prosthetic legs to finally doing all sorts of exercises, the video showed a full trajectory of Morana. Wheeler connected to Morana like no other. In his own way, Wheeler has been on an onwards and upwards journey ever since his leg surgery.

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Wheeler and his never-ending relationship with injuries

Despite being racked with injuries throughout his career, and subsequently undergoing surgeries, Flex Wheeler has never stopped bodybuilding. Wheeler never stopped getting injured, neither have injuries ever stopped him from pursuing what he loves. Very recently, the 57-year-old tore his left rotator cuff and shared about it on his Instagram.

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Wheeler also realizes his position of power and thus utilizes his voice very responsibly in a motivational manner. Not unlike Wheeler, Morana too has been an advocate for amputees and persons living with any disability.

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Written by:

Tanmay Roy

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Tanmay Roy is a US Sports author for EssentiallySports. He has done MBA and B.Tech in Civil Engineering.
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Edited by:

Jahnabi Choudhury