The Challenge’s Nelson Thomas Wants To Compete in Paralympics After Amputation

The last two years have been a rollercoaster for Nelson Thomas. In 2023, The Challenge star was involved in a near-fatal car accident. He crashed his car into a bridge, and the vehicle burst into flames. He was rescued by a Good Samaritan, one of whom happened to be a player from the Minnesota Vikings.

Nelson sustained major injuries in the accident, documenting his recovery process on Instagram. While he recovered, the police circled back and arrested him for DWI. Then, he had to have his right foot amputated.

This series of events would be enough to break most people, but nine months after the amputation, Nelson has his eyes on a new goal. He wants to compete in the 2028 Paralympics. He’s training, he’s manifesting, and he’s ready to make it happen.

Nelson Thomas has a craving for Paralympics competition nine months after his below-the-knee amputation

Photo Credit: @_nelsonthomas via Instagram

Nelson underwent his foot amputation procedure on March 5, 2024, which happened to be the one-year anniversary of his alcohol-induced car crash. In an interview with People, he spoke about the lengthy recovery process and how it’s been both a physical and mental journey.

“Growing up in this generation as a man, we don’t want to show fear, we don’t want to shed tears. But we need to let those things out because that’s when you find your true self,” he told the outlet. “The day I cut off my foot, man, I never looked back. And I’ve been the happiest man ever since.”

After shedding a few tears, Nelson was eager to get back to his old self. He wanted to start training again and regain his physicality, which led him to a non-profit called Adaptive Training Foundation. The organization focuses on rehabilitation and functional training for athletes with disabilities, which introduced Nelson to a brand-new community.

“Having a strong community around you, people that believed in you, it really does a lot for a person,” he admits. “I was going there just for the physicality of moving in my prosthetic and being more agile and stronger and making a comeback. But when I walked through those doors, I walked out a whole different man.”

Through Nelson’s new network, he’s met other Paralympians who have inspired him to compete in the 2028 games. He’s already speaking it into existence.

“I’ll be doing the long jump, and I’ll also be doing the 200,” Nelson predicted.

Would Nelson return to The Challenge after his amputation?

Photo Credit: @_nelsonthomas

While Nelson focuses on the 2028 Paralympics, he said he’s heard from a lot of The Challenge fans hoping to see him return for a tenth season. He admitted that he has some “unfinished business” on the show, but it’s not his main focus.

“A lot of people want me to go back on The Challenge and be the first below-the-knee amputee, but I want people to know that I’m not doing this for The Challenge,” he explained.

Nelson admitted to having a little bit of FOMO watching Season 40 of the show. However, he knows that the show isn’t everything.

“Do I have some unfinished business on The Challenge? Yes, I do. I want to go back on The Challenge, but I feel like my purpose is bigger than that,” he says. “But if I ever had the opportunity and [TJ Lavin] gives me that phone call, hell yeah I’m picking up. I know I have what it takes to win. I know I was very, very close.”

The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras airs on MTV.

TELL US – DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR NELSON AS HE CHASES AFTER HIS PARALYMPIC DREAMS? WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE HIM RETURN TO THE CHALLENGE AS THE FIRST BELOW-THE-KNEE AMPUTEE?