BMX rider: 'You’re not marrying a cripple', Willoughby tells fiancee

Australian BMX champion Sam Willoughby will in six months make one of the biggest vows of his life when he marries fiancée Alise Post.

But before he makes that commitment, the 25-year-old has already made another emotional oath to his sweetheart: “You’re not marrying a cripple”.

The Olympic silver medallist and two-time world champion has sworn to walk down the aisle after breaking his neck and being left paralysed in a racing accident earlier this year.

Willoughby broke two vertebras in his spine and crushed his spinal cord when he crashed at Chula Vista bike track in California in September.

He underwent successful emergency surgery but despite regaining movement in his arms and hands, is still unable to move his legs.

However, Willoughby told 60 Minutes he refused to let the injury stop him from celebrating the biggest day of his life on his terms after an inspirational visit from former motocross rider Jimmy Button.

Button overcame a similar injury in 2000.

“He just gave me hope really,” Willoughby said. “He said it was do-able.”

“You just need to approach this the same way you have approached everything up to this point and just fight.

“Just fight and fight and be relentless.”

Post, herself an American silver medallist, feared Willoughby may push her away in selfless attempt to alleviate the distress of his recovery.

But instead the Australian made her the vow that would see him stand at the alter by her side in April.