From Recovery to the Roller Derby Spotlight: Blaxyl Rose Skates Into Hometown Throwdown

Blaxyl Rose | photo credit Jonathan Works

When Blaxyl Rose laces up their skates this weekend for Hometown Throwdown in Portland, they won’t only be vying for a win, they’ll be celebrating a comeback that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Blaxyl skates for Angel City, Black Diaspora, and Atlanta Roller Derby, but their journey to the track has been far from easy. They discovered roller derby in 2017, and by 2019 they were already skating with the Atlanta Rumble Bs.

Then came the setback. A serious car accident left them with a broken neck and hand, two months in a neck brace, and a grueling recovery that included spinal fusion, multiple surgeries, and persistent pain management just to get through daily life. At the time, returning to roller derby felt like a distant dream.

What they didn’t realize then was how much support would carry them; the unwavering encouragement of their family, friends, and teammates in the derby community. With that support, they began to rebuild physically, mentally, and emotionally. Today, they proudly skate with Angel City — one of the most competitive teams in the WFTDA — a place they once thought unreachable.

Their story is more than a personal triumph. It’s a reminder that healing, growth, and big dreams are always within reach, even after the darkest moments.

At Hometown Throwdown, which takes place September 12–14 at The Hangar at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Blaxyl will face off against top-tier teams from across the country, including Angel City, Denver Roller Derby, Montreal Roller Derby, and more.

For fans, their presence on the track is a powerful example of resilience and determination. For younger skaters or anyone facing injury or doubt, Blaxyl’s journey shows that sometimes the hardest fights lead to the most meaningful returns.

As doors open and the crowds settle in for the adrenaline of derby this weekend, keep an eye out because for Blaxyl Rose, every push, every jam, and every lap is a celebration of how far they’ve come.

Watch Blaxyl and their team this weekend compete at the Hometown Throwdown live on AWSN

Check the schedule here for local times!