Meet one of the discus and shot put athletes ready for the NJAC
Meet Fabio, one will be one of 140 athletes ready to compete at the National Junior Athletics Championships this weekend.
There are just two days to go until the National Junior Athletics Championships, supported by People’s Partnership, get underway. More than 140 junior athletes will take part in a full track and field programme over two action packed days in Coventry.
Fabio will be one of those competing in the discus and shot put. He attended his first event in 2019 and admits that the National Championships have a very special place in his heart.
"I remember being nervous, excited and then super happy with my performances.
"Every year I have grown and got better and I keep learning. The event has been there during my development and when I compete at the National Junior Championships it feels like home, but I also feel that I can compete to be my best.
"It gives me the opportunity to learn so many skills that I couldn't learn anywhere else. Travelling, communication, social and professional are all things I have learnt through going to championships."
The annual event - this year supported by People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension to six million workers in the UK - has for decades given young disabled athletes the opportunity to compete in a major event.
Organisers ensure that there is something for juniors with every impairment to take part in. As Fabio explains, sport and physical activity are so important. The championships play a key part in achieving Activity Alliance’s vision - fairness for disabled people in sport and activity.
"Without my sport I would be very isolated and not have the life that I have now. I can nor imagine my life without sport. Athletics has given me so many opportunities which make a real difference to my confidence, self belief and my future."
Every athlete will be get something different from the weekend. For some it will be their first opportunity to experience a major event. For Fabio, this year’s championships will play a part of an ambition to make it to the very top.
"I am targeting future Paralympics. So, I am working towards representing GB at future world championships and Paralympics. I follow an Individual Athlete Plan, which has my yearly goals and overall targets. I have a lot of work ahead of me, but progress is going well and going as planned. My goal to me, is very simple, I will be World Champion & Paralympic Champion.
"In the meantime, I will continue to work hard and I am really looking forwards to competing at the NJAC where I hope to achieve another personal best ."
The National Junior Athletics Championships will take place on 1-2 July at Coventry Athletics Track, Warwick University. This year’s event is supported by People’s Partnership, which provides The People’s Pension to six million workers in the UK, ensuring Activity Alliance can deliver a fantastic two-day event.
View and download the Championships track and field programmes.
