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Blog: “I’m hoping to improve my times and enjoy the event"

On the 7 and 8 July, more than 200 junior disabled athletes from across the UK will take part in the Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships. One of those competing is up and coming wheelchair racer Nathan Freeman, he tells us what he’s looking forward to most about this weekend’s event.

Nathan Freeman at the National Junior Athletics Championships.

I’m Nathan and I’m 14 years old. I live in Worthing, West Sussex, and have cerebral palsy.

I am a wheelchair racer, I compete nationally and train twice a week. I also take part in swimming, play wheelchair basketball at a local club and go to the gym twice a week. I enjoy going swimming with my identical twin brother Joshua and have a personal trainer that supports me in the gym.

I started wheelchair racing about five years ago at Worthing & District Harriers Athletics Club and I am the founding member of Worthing Wheelchair Racing Club. At first, it was frustrating learning the technique, but once I mastered the basic skills I really started to like the sport. I enjoy training with my coach Julian Stevens, he pushes me to improve my technique and performances so that I can achieve personal bests in competitions. I love the thrill of competing and my dream is to one day represent my country and race for Team GB at the Paralympic Games. 

When I’m active, I enjoy the feeling of freedom, and the independence it gives me. Sport has helped me to accept living with a disability and realise I can achieve anything I put my mind to.

Being active helps me to keep fit and I have come off all my asthma medication as I've become healthier. Taking part in sport makes me feel energised and I enjoy the speed and adrenaline rush of wheelchair racing.

My family travel the country to support me. Without them I could not achieve all the things I have already.

I’m excited to compete at the Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships, it is one of my favourite events of the Athletics calendar which I’ve competed in for the last three years. This weekend, I’m hoping to improve my times but mainly making sure I just enjoy the event. I’m taking part in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m. In preparation I’ve been working really hard to improve my speed and endurance to make sure I can push to the best of my ability in each event.

As well as taking part this weekend, I have also been selected to represent England in wheelchair racing at the Cerebral Palsy World Games in Sant Cagut, Barcelona in August. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to compete in an international event, it will be good experience for the future and my ambition of racing at the Paralympics.

To other disabled people, although I tend to use the term ‘differently abled’ as we just do things differently, I’d say, they can achieve anything they put their mind to. It took me a while to find a sport that excited me, but once I tried wheelchair racing that was it, I was hooked. Don’t give up if the first activity isn’t for you, keep trying because sooner or later you’ll find the one for you!

The Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships take place at Warwick Athletics Stadium on Coventry on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 July 2018. The full track and field programme offer athletes with a wide range of impairments the opportunity to take part.

Keep up-to-date with all the action from the Championships this weekend, join the conversation on social media - follow @AllForActivity and the event hashtag #SportsForAll.