Meet Ishona Charles, Grenada's Paralympic trailblazer

Ishona Charles danced to the music in front of an energetic crowd as she proudly waved Grenada’s red, yellow, and green flag at Place de la Concorde. It was the Paris 2024 Paralympic Opening Ceremony—the first ever held outside a stadium—and Charles was at the heart of it.

“That was a great inspiration,” Charles said. “I enjoyed the Opening Ceremony. I was waving the flag and I had a blast. That was a very proud moment, knowing that you have the whole island supporting you. There’s nothing better than that.” 

Charles, a javelin and shot put thrower, was not just celebrating her country but she was also making history. As one of Grenada’s first Paralympians at Tokyo 2020, she returned to the biggest stage in Paris, becoming the only athlete from the island nation to compete at two Paralympic Games. 

Closer to the Paralympic podium

Speaking at the International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Forum in June, Charles reflected on the moment she first stepped foot into the Stade de France, which staged Para athletics events during Paris 2024. 

In the stands, thousands of fans from around the world cheered for the athletes competing on the field and the iconic purple track.

“It was motivating to get a crowd. They don’t know you personally, but they are cheering you on. That gave me an extra boost to go out there and do my best,” the 39-year-old athlete said.

“I was nervous. When you look around and see so many people cheering for you, I got emotional. But it was great and I enjoyed every bit of it.”

Embracing the moment, she delivered personal bests in both the women’s javelin F46 and shot put F46 events. With her sights now set on the LA28 Paralympic Games, Charles is determined to make more history. 

“I got to compete at two Paralympic Games. I’m looking forward to my third,” she said with a smile. “Los Angeles in 2028, we are working towards getting a medal, getting closer to the podium. Let’s see how that goes.”

A trailblazer in Grenada

Charles was one of two athletes representing Grenada at Tokyo 2020, where the island country made its Paralympic debut. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and a one-year postponement, she found creative ways to train. 

“(My coach and I) couldn’t go to any training facilities and we had to improvise at home. I live close to a river, so we had to use river stones. We turned them into weights and used them as shot puts,” she recalled. “My yard is big enough so I got to practice my throws.”

“We made it and we were successful in the end.”

At the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, Charles competed in the women’s javelin throw F46, recording a throw of 28.75 metres to finish ninth. She said it was a big moment for Paralympic sport in Grenada.

“It was a great experience and it was a big motivation because presently, we have three other athletes and we are in the process of identifying more athletes,” she said.

The power of patience

When she is not training or working, Charles is often fishing on a river or on the ocean. Fishing is her hobby and one of many passions, but it is also something that has helped her find sporting success.

“It teaches you a lot about patience,” she said. “It’s the same kind of process when it comes to throwing. You cannot rush it – you have to be patient.”

Charles discovered her love for sport at age nine, inspired by her father, an international football referee. She “tried a bit of everything” - from football, cricket to volleyball to see where she fit in. But her favourite was always athletics.

Sport helped her after surviving an attack in 2005 that resulted in the loss of part of her left arm. In 2018 she transitioned to Para sport, becoming one of the pioneers of the Paralympic Movement in Grenada.

Charles previously benefitted from support provided by the International Paralympic Committee, including participation in Regional Sport Training Camps, which offered valuable insights into Para sports training and deepened participants' understanding of the Paralympic Movement.

“Sports did help me overcome that bit of obstacle,” she said.

“Moreover, I’m still doing the things I love and doing even more. I am in the history books.”

Making a difference

Off the field, Charles works full-time as an administrative clerk at a national college, while also studying management at school. She often trains in the evenings.

The two-time Paralympian says her life has changed after representing her country at the Games. 

“Now I’m like a mentor to younger athletes coming up. So as long as I’m making a difference, I’m loving it,” Charles said, adding that teammate and fellow Paris 2024 Paralympian Tyler Smith is like a little brother to her. 

“We are doing our best to see how others can follow in our footsteps, to bring the Movement forward.” 

Dear future Paralympians

As she looks ahead to the LA28 Paralympic Games and beyond, Charles is also thinking about coaching and passing on her knowledge to the next generation of Para athletes in Grenada. 

And there is one thing she especially wants to share with young Para athletes. 

“I would tell them that disability is not a limitation. You can do whatever it is you put your mind and heart into. Look at me, for example, I am excelling in sports. You can do it too.”