She is the lone woman battling for Great Britain against men in the most aggressive Paralympics sport — wheelchair rugby, known as “murderball”.
Kylie Grimes’s shock of red hair makes her one of the team’s most recognisable stars, and her sister says she just wants to “get stuck in with the boys”.
The sport, known for its brutal full contact and injuries, is hoping for a boost in popularity on the back of the Paralympics with more televised matches and leagues.
Great Britain play Japan today after beating France yesterday.
Grimes, 24, from Farnham, was a promising equestrian when she was left paralysed in a swimming accident at a late night party after diving into a pool at a friend’s house when she was 18.
Her older sister, Rosie, 25, said Kylie exhibits all the feistiness on court in the basketball arena that she did in the playground as a girl.
She said: “At first we were terrified for her, but she doesn’t care — players slam into her but she just gets stuck in with the boys.
“She just thinks: ‘Bring it on.’”
Grimes had a Union Jack shaved into one side of her hair and Rosie spent several nights before the Paralympics painstakingly colouring it in.
Rosie added: “The whole team has been really supportive, they are really close. You get the knocks but she’s a tough little cookie.”
