Powerlifting Athletes - Yorkshire Squad
Katie Whitaker, her boyfriend Martin Sands, and Simon Waggett are the three Yorkshire powerlifters chosen for the Special Olympics world games squad to compete in Shanghai.
The three train every Sunday at Arnley prison gym where they have the full support of not only their coaches but also the inmates. They have always taken a great interest in the group and some are very involved in helping to coach the powerlifters. There is huge support there for the squad members going for gold in Shanghai.
Coach, Kelly says: “The regulars know the SO lifters very well, where each individual needs to be pushed and encouraged.”
“I’ve seen such a lot of effort towards the world games in China. The competition spurs them on to really push themselves to the limit, and each other. They all know it’s about what’s in your head, thinking “I can lift it”, as well as physical strength. And they’re very close as a team.”
“They know they’ll be competing against the best from every country. In competitions here they know most of the lifters in their category, but Shanghai is a big unknown. So they know they’ll have to aim to lift more. I’ve seen them push up the weights they can do in the deadlift, squat, bench press. And they’re working hard at building up the strength in their arms and legs, and cardio fitness.”
“In competition, all I have to do is to let them know what they have to do. And they respond. They go out there and give it everything. There will be lots more competition at the world games but that won’t bother them. They have discipline, concentration and focus. And they’re good at staying motivated.”
www.bradforddisabilitysports.co.uk
Powerlifting Athlete - Martin Sands
Location: Keighley, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Coach: Kelly Moore
Martin is 27 years old. He has only been powerlifting for four years but has already proved his commitment to the sport and a desire to succeed. At the 2005 Special Olympics GB national games in Glasgow he won one silver and 3 bronze medals. Martin’s powerlifting achievements currently stand at 140 kilos for the squat and 180 for the Deadlift.
When he was a teenager Martin’s passion was football. He had his sights and his heart set on being a professional player. But as a child Martin suffered from a condition which bent the bones in his legs. Up to the age of 5 he had a lot of illness. And after 17 years of joint pain and knee operations he finally had to give up the football dream. These were tough years for Martin but his mum says it was a time when his determination really showed.
Martin’s upper body strength – at which he works hard – makes him a natural for powerlifting, although he still has back problems for which he has physio and check-ups.
In competition Martin does suffer from nerves, but his coach Jane Haig has worked with him on ‘internalising’ the fear and using it to strengthen his performance.
His mum says: “You can really see the determination on his face, you can see him thinking “I can do it”. He gives so much concentration. Even if he doesn’t make it he knows he has the power to do it.”
Martin has needed to lose some weight to stay within his competition class. He has had a lot of encouragement in this challenge from girlfriend Katie Whitaker and also Fitness First who have given him some free personal training over the past year. His focus on training towards Shanghai has included workouts at the gym and also swimming.
Martin has a strong sense of responsibility towards his team and is most often the one who gives most support in training sessions to other powerlifters, particularly those who are visually impaired.
Martin attended a mainstream school, then going on to complete a catering course. He studied performing arts at his college in Leeds. He now works on a placement at a local hotel. He is out socialising a lot with Katie but also likes computer games – he has one of his medal-winning photos as a screen-saver. He also has a passion for watching TV sport, especially rugby and football, and American crime/forensic science programmes. When he was younger he wanted to be a detective.
Mum, Moira says: “To watch him in competition is wonderful. It makes me so proud that he’s shown such commitment to a sport he really loves. When I’m watching him lift I really will him on, it’s very emotional. He was really made up to be selected for Shanghai. And I’ll be there to watch him.”
TO ARRANGE AN INTERVIEW WITH THE ATHLETES OR COACHES, PLEASE CONTACT THE SOGB NATIONAL OFFICE.
TELEPHONE: 020 7696 5569 OR EMAIL TO: pr@sogb.org.uk