City of Stoke AC Open/DUKA British Championships
21st April 2012 saw some deaf athletes travel from across the UK to participate in the City of Stoke AC Open/DUKA British Championships held at Northwood Stadium, Hanley, Stoke on Trent.
It was a very cold, rainy day with just enough sunshine to encourage everyone! GB elite athletes John Ruddy, Beth Sewell, Bethan Lishman were joined by junior talented middle-distance runner Jonathan Wilkinson and Hammer thrower Iain Botting.
“I feel good. I am pleased to have come here and meet top GB Deaflympic hammer throwers Beth and Bethan. It was very interesting to watch them compete. I really enjoyed today and I hope one day I will get the chance to represent GB in future competitions,” said Botting.
“It is quite early in the season for me, but my training is going well,” mentioned Sewell.
Bethan Lishman added, “I have been poorly recently, but I was determined to compete at these championships.”
Attendees included; DUKA Director and GB Team Manager Brian Kokoruwe as well as Guy Finney, DUKA Talent Identification Officer, DUKA Volunteers Coordinator & Interpreter Bobbie Blackwell and two volunteer sign language interpreters, Hayley Evans and Laurence Burrows. Bobbie said, “It was great to see two new DUKA volunteers. The weather was changeable but we were all in good spirits!”
Kokoruwe said; “A big well done to all the deaf athletes who braved the weather to support these championships. They are vital for us to observe current athletes fitness level and performances. I would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make the event a brilliant experience. Our thanks also go to City of Stoke AC for the joint working partnership in making the event happen.”
Athletes selected for the GB team competing in the World Championships in Canada next July will be informed directly within the next 14 days.
For full results:
http://www.stokeac.org.uk/results/City%20of%20Stoke%20AC%202012%20Open%20meeting%20Results%20v2.pdf
Details of forthcoming deaf competitions are below:
· 2nd World Deaf Athletics Championships, Toronto, Canada 14-21 July 2012
· Germany Deaf Sports Festival (Athletics Championships) at Berlin 8-9th June 2012
· 1st European Junior Deaf Athletics Championships (16-19 year) Bydgoszcz, Poland 21-22 Sept 2012
· 22nd Deaflympics – Venue to be Confirmed, July/August 2013
· 10th European Deaf Cross Country Championships March/April 2014
