Para-cyclist claims first ever world championship medal with prosthetic she helped design

Limb different cyclist, Morgan Newberry, has claimed her first ever world championships medal, with the help of a new type of prosthetic arm she helped design.

Photo credit: SWpix

Morgan took silver in the road cycling event at the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling World Championships in Zurich and now hopes the new prosthetic may support more people with limb differences to take up the sport. 

Morgan was born with a congenital limb difference, meaning her left arm didn’t develop fully at birth. While she had always enjoyed cycling, it was never anything competitive. That changed when she went to university and became involved with a GB talent programme, leading to her becoming a para-cyclist for the Great Britain Cycling Team.

Morgan commented: “My whole childhood, I never used any prosthetics. I just worked out a way of doing things myself and rode a normal bike with some makeshift adaptations. I think I always just got away with being wonky on the bike!

Photo credit: SWpix

“It wasn’t until I was 25 that I realised using tools for certain things could make a big difference – especially for my performance in competitions. So last year I got an NHS prosthetic for the bike, but unfortunately what they could offer just did not work for me and I found it very uncomfortable for my arm. When Koalaa asked if I’d like to collaborate with them to create a tool specifically for road cycling, I jumped at the chance.”  

Morgan went on to work with London-based prosthetics innovator, Koalaa, on the creation of a prosthetic, called the Sarah Pro, which is designed to handle the unique movements involved with cycling, while being comfortable, even when used for long periods. Also involved in the design process were current and former GB Paralympians, Claire Cashmore and Clare Cunningham, and amateur cyclist Sarah Fisher, who inspired its creation.

Unlike traditional prosthetics, Koalaa’s are soft and lightweight, yet extremely robust, making them ideal for endurance activities. Being fabric-based they are comfortable on the skin and can be placed in the washing machine. 

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  Photo credit: SWpix

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  Photo credit: SWpix

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  Photo credit: SWpix

Photo credit: SWpix

Commenting on her silver medal in Zurich, Morgan said: “It was a really different race to what I'm used to. Sometimes para races don't get the best courses and can lack climb and technical sections, but this course was the same one that’s used for the women's and men's elite, featuring an 18% section on the long climb. 

“To win silver is an enormous confidence boost. I dug as deep as possible and I’m so glad all the training paid off. It meant so much to be on that podium, and I don’t think I would have been there without my new prosthetic.”

Morgan added: “For me, the biggest thing - and what’s really cool - is that anyone with a limb difference like mine who wants to, can now go and buy a road bike and a Koalaa and just go for it. It would be great if that helps more limb different people start riding for GB, as it's a fantastic community to be part of.”

Nate Macabuag, founder of Koalaa, added: “It was a fantastic experience working with Morgan. Regardless of whether you’re a complete novice, or an elite in your field, at Koalaa our mission is to make prosthetics and tools for people that supports them to do the activities they want to do - and this is another exciting example of our commitment to that goal.” 

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The Sarah Pro is suitable for both recreational and elite cyclists across the world. For more information click here