Tetraplegic, 700 km on the strength of his arms: Tony Moggio's feat
In Albi, a sporting, human and audiovisual initiative recently came to life thanks to the commitment of students and the extraordinary determination of Tony Moggio. Tony Moggio, a former rugby player who became quadriplegic following an accident on the pitch, is now pursuing a clear objective: to transform his life’s journey into a source of inspiration for others.
His new challenge, entitled “À Force de Bras: Tony Moggio links the Atlantic to the Mediterranean”, is a perfect illustration of this ambition. The project involves covering more than 700 kilometres on a handbike, from Royan to Sète along the Canal des Deux Mers. It’s an unprecedented feat for a quadriplegic, combining physical endurance, logistical organisation and mental strength. Spread over thirteen days, this journey represents more than 60 hours of effort, with daily stages of three to four hours starting each morning at 10 a.m.
As well as sporting performance, this challenge is part of an effort to raise awareness of disability, but also to promote resilience and optimism. Lecturer and entrepreneur Tony Moggio draws on his personal experience to encourage everyone to push back their limits, whatever the challenges they face.
Students from Cinécréatis Bordeaux are playing a key role in this extraordinary adventure. Assigned to document the project, their aim is to capture the essence of this human and sporting experience through several video productions. It’s a rare opportunity, offering these future professionals a hands-on immersion in a real project, with a great deal of artistic freedom.
Among them, Clara Fabre and Lucie Thomas travelled to Albi on Thursday 23 April to begin filming during a training session. The day marked the start of their collaboration with Tony Moggio. The students were quickly struck by the clarity of his expectations and the trust he placed in them.
“He was very clear about what he wanted. He explained the plans he wanted and left the rest up to us. He warmed up first, so we filmed the way we wanted to,” says Clara Fabre. This creative freedom allowed them to explore different visual approaches while respecting the sportsman’s vision.
The filming experience also proved to be original from a technical point of view. To follow Tony Moggio in his efforts, the students had to adapt to unconventional conditions. “His wife made us climb into the boot of his van. She followed him around the track with the doors open so that we could film him,” explains Clara. It was an unusual situation, and one that reflects the collaborative spirit and commitment of the whole team behind the project.
As well as action footage, the students also wanted to add a more intimate dimension to their work. They had prepared a series of questions in advance for a face-to-face interview with Tony Moggio, as well as discussions with members of his family. These moments give us a better understanding of the man behind the athlete, his motivations, his doubts and his daily life.
So this project is much more than just a student film shoot. It’s a real encounter between an inspiring life story and a cinematic vision in the making. For Clara and Lucie, this experience is an important step in their training, giving them the opportunity to come face to face with the realities of the field while taking part in a meaningful adventure.
By linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean on the strength of his arms alone, Tony Moggio is not just taking up a sporting challenge. He is blazing a trail that is both physical and symbolic, showing that limits can be pushed back. Through the eyes of the students at Cinécréatis Bordeaux, this adventure will continue to live on and inspire well beyond the kilometres covered.
Other filming sessions are already planned for the coming weeks, to continue this immersion and tell the story of this extraordinary human and sporting adventure.