Imagine your world changing in an instant—one moment, you’re safe at home, and the next, you’re in ICU, fighting for your life after a traumatic house robbery. For Darren Thomas, this devastating event turned his world upside down when doctors delivered the heartbreaking new that due to the severity of his injuries, he would never walk again.

A bullet had missed his heart by just 1mm causing severe damage to his lung and spinal cord leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and wheelchair bound.

Darren underwent extensive medical procedures, which included having his back and head held together with staples and the removal of a third of his lung due to the bullet fragments that caused it to collapse.

This harrowing experience forced Darren, once a physically fit rugby player, kickboxer, and gym enthusiast, into rehabilitation, where he had to relearn even the most basic tasks—like sitting up.

However, Darren’s resilience and unwavering faith helped him defy the odds, earning him the title of the world’s 9th Fittest Adaptive Seated Without Hip Athlete—an incredible achievement, considering he only started CrossFit three years ago.

As part of our charity initiative, LottoStar proudly contributed R90,000 to support Darren’s journey to the CrossFit Games in Texas, this September.

With 23 October marking exactly 17 years since the attack, Darren now has every reason to look back and smile. What once seemed like the end became the beginning of an incredible journey. Today, he stands as a symbol of perseverance, inspiring others to rise above adversity. Through unwavering determination, he has transformed tragedy into triumph, proving that no setback is insurmountable.

Darren is not just a survivor—he’s a force to be reckoned with, inspiring countless people with his story of strength, faith and resilience.