{
  "id": 19169629,
  "title": "How Hawkins overcame illness to star for England",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/how-hawkins-overcame-illness-to-star-for-england-19169629",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-09T15:18:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/hawkins-overcame-illness-star-england-151810731.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rob Hawkins, a key figure in England's Rugby League World Cup triumph, has battled chronic fatigue syndrome to become a star in the international game. At 25, Hawkins joined the sport by accident after being bedridden for 18 months. Initially drawn to wheelchair basketball, he found himself in wheelchair rugby league and quickly became hooked. Despite the condition's challenges, including missing school and needing assistance for daily activities, Hawkins found his competitive spirit rekindled upon discovering international play. He has since won the IRL Golden Boot Award and Super League's Wheels of Steel title. England now aims to become the first team to win the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup three times, facing Australia in the semi-finals. Hawkins remains confident and excited for the semi-final, acknowledging the challenge ahead but believing in his team's ability to overcome it.",
  "summary": "When Rob Hawkins replied to what he thought was an advert to play wheelchair basketball more than a decade ago he could not have imagined he would be a key part of an England side defending their Rugby League World Cup title.",
  "key_points": [
    "Hawkins overcame chronic fatigue syndrome to star for England",
    "Joined wheelchair rugby league after 18-month bedridden period",
    "England aims for three consecutive Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup wins"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "How Hawkins overcame illness to star for England",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/how-hawkins-overcame-illness-to-star-for-england",
        "published": "2026-11-09T15:15:06.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}