KYE

As I read through Kye Whyte’s inspiring story, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of admiration for this remarkable man. His journey from being a dustman in south London to a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics is nothing short of extraordinary.

When I turned around two and a half, I began learning to ride a bike. Shortly following that, I found myself on the BMX track. I yearned to keep pace with my elders, Daniel and Tre, who were my older brothers. My initial bike was silver and purchased from Argos. Unfortunately, they used it for practice jumps on plastic ramps, resulting in its damage. My first true racing bike was an SE model. Currently, my bike is a pink GT, which has come to symbolize me.

Growing up in Peckham, it was quite a challenge for me to accomplish what I have so far due to the high crime rates and gang violence in the area. However, my background wouldn’t have led me towards criminal activities since my father is very into sports. Nigel, who is both my former coach and co-founder of the Peckham BMX Club, was even recognized as BMX Coach of the Year by Southwark Council in 2017.

In my youth, I went by the nickname “BMX Kid,” renowned for my passion to excel in the sport. I devoted most of my time to practicing, keeping me away from mischief on the streets. My mother would testify that I’d throw tempers if she tried interfering with my riding sessions. Additionally, I wasn’t a good loser – even as a kid, I often emerged victorious. However, during one competition where defeat seemed imminent, I intentionally made an error and feigned injury instead of accepting the outcome.

My parents went to great lengths to ensure that my siblings and I attended trainings and races. In fact, my father’s passion for BMX is so strong that I might even argue that he loves it more than I do! We turned it into a family affair, fitting all six of us and our bikes into a seven-seater Vauxhall Zafira. For competitions, we set up an eight-person tent. When I was nine, unfortunately, my parents couldn’t afford to attend my race, so I had to stay with my sponsor. By the time I turned 18, Daniel had retired, leaving Tre and me to carry on the competitive spirit between us. It wasn’t a rivalry per se, but rather a healthy sense of competition.

In Manchester, I reside and prepare at a multi-purpose indoor complex. On one side, there’s a velodrome, perfect for cycling, and on the other, a BMX track caters to my off-bike needs. Sandwiched between these facilities is a gym where I spend three hours every morning. My routine starts with stretching, followed by plyometrics, squats, leg presses, dead lifts for lower body workouts, and lastly, exercises for my arms and core. Post-gym session, I dedicate two to three hours to bike training. The rest of the day is filled with eating, relaxing with my PlayStation5, and sleeping – a cycle that repeats daily.

I crashed and was put in an induced coma for five days

To build up my body, I consume large quantities of food in each meal. I’ll be having a generous amount of carbs like pasta for energy and protein-rich foods such as chicken. I have an affinity for chicken wings and enjoy them daily. I don’t pay heed to calorie counts in my meals. If I feel robust and not overly plump, then I am content with my choices.

As a BMX fan who’s been there, let me tell you, the thrill and excitement of this extreme sport often overshadows its inherent risks. When I was 13, I learned the hard way. I crashed during a race, and before I knew it, I was lying unconscious on the ground. I spent the next five days in an induced coma, battling a brain hemorrhage and a broken jaw. My recovery took almost a whole year. When I finally got back on my bike after that harrowing experience, I felt unfit and terrified. Vomiting was a common occurrence whenever I attempted to ride. Yet, despite the fear, I knew I had to push through it. The adrenaline rush was too strong to resist.

I’ve always been more of a listener than a talker. When I call my dad, our conversations are usually brief and to the point. But when it comes to my brother Tre, we can chat for hours on end. He’s my confidant and constant companion. However, there’s one situation where my dad’s chattiness becomes a nuisance – during competitions. His enthusiasm is overwhelming at times, and I find myself wishing he would just let me focus. I’ve even had to ask him to stop messaging me on race days, as his messages can be more of a distraction than a source of encouragement. While it’s natural for people to worry, I believe that the pressure is on me when I compete, and I need to be in the zone to give my best performance. So, I try to keep things low-key and focused, taking one step at a time towards my goals.

During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, when I earned the silver medal, a person led me to a screen and there, my family members – nephews, nieces, brothers, and sisters – were cheering for me. It was around 5 am in London where I am based. A lump formed in my throat as I prepared to cry, but I held it together, despite what my father might say.

NIGEL

I’m a proud parent of six children: Daniel, Tre, Kye, Billie, Niah, and Lasharn. Among my sons, Tre was the trailblazer in BMX at the age of nine. Daniel, who is now retired, gave it a try as well. Lasharn also had a go for a while. Initially, I held back Kye from joining his older brothers due to his young age. However, he displayed impressive bike skills even before reaching the track. He began BMX riding around the age of three. One day at Brockwell Park, I watched in awe as he completed numerous laps, refusing to be stopped. Suddenly, someone called out, “Your son is on the floor!” To my surprise, Kye had fallen asleep right at the finish line!

When I yearned for the boys to engage in football, their ball-kicking skills left much to be desired. Having played on several teams and reaching semi-pro status myself, I eventually made the decision to retire my football boots and switch gears. Around that time in my late 20s and early 30s, I felt drawn to BMX biking due to the boys’ enthusiasm for it.

In 2005, I joined the competition and went on to become both summer and winter regional champion. Then, in the year 2009, I claimed my first national victory, placing fourth in the overall standings. Previously, I worked as a dustman, an unexpected title for the fastest one in south London. Currently, I maintain the grounds at Burgess Park, where Peckham BMX Club is based.

In 2009, I won my first national race. I was a dustman, so people used to say, ‘It’s Daddy Whyte, the fastest dustman in south London!’

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: I started this cycling club alongside my co-founder CK Flash, or Michael Pusey MBE as he’s known in the BMX world. He was the first coach for Tre and his friends, Daniel and Kye, who all got hooked on cycling under his guidance. I trained them until they moved on to British Cycling. Kye, who left in 2017 at age 18, relocated to Manchester – home of GB Cycling HQ. Parents play a crucial role when their child exhibits a passion for sports. If attending races meant piling into a friend’s caravan while we slept in the car, my husband and I were always there, ready to support our boys in their cycling journey.

During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, I found myself among a group of around 200 people, including Kye’s brothers, sisters, and young riders from his club. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we couldn’t physically be there to support him in person. However, we set up a video link so that we could still share in the experience with him. When Kye appeared on the screen for our post-event chat, he was taken aback by our unexpected presence. He might deny it, but I can assure you, his eyes welled up with tears.

Kye Whyte competes in BMX Cycling, which begins Tuesday 30 July

2024-07-26 16:34

“I’d say my dad loves BMX too much. He loves it more than I do!”

KYE

NIGEL

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