Ambition is to lift gold

A powerlifter who suffers from a serious spinal condition will be going for gold at this year’s Paralympics.

Miss Natalie Blake (25) of Grange Road, Newark, has been chosen to represent Great Britain for the Beijing Paralympics this summer.

Miss Blake, who was born with spina bifida where her vertebrae failed to develop properly, is ranked fifth in the world for disabled powerlifting and is the current British champion.

She started powerlifting ten years ago during the winter months to help maintain her fitness for wheelchair racing.

She broke the British record in her first competition and shortly after gave up the racing to concentrate on powerlifting.

Three years later she qualified for the Sydney Paralympics, finishing fifth on the first occasion that women were allowed to compete in the section.

Miss Blake also narrowly missed out on the medals at the Athens Paralympics, where she came fourth.

She has won gold at other competitions in the United States, New Zealand, France and Belgium but would really like to return home from Beijing with her first Paralympic gold medal.

“I’m hoping for gold. It’s my third Paralympics, so I know what to expect and how to feel. I’m really excited,” she said.

Miss Blake and the three other powerlifters representing Great Britain will spend three weeks in China, staying in a training camp for a week before moving into the Olympic village.

In preparation, she has been training every day at Newark’s Premier Health and Fitness club for up to four hours doing resistance and cardio work.

“It has virtually taken over my life,” she said.

Her father, Mr Keith Blake (65) is a former amateur weightlifter and helps to coach her.

He said: “I’m really proud of her.

“According to all the doctors she shouldn’t have any use in her legs. It’s fantastic what she’s achieved.

“She is very lucky because I’m here to coach her on a daily basis and she’s also got a very good team coach and manager.

“Between us we’re hoping to get her to gold medal standard,” he said.

Miss Blake has just completed a fitness instructor course at Newark College and hopes to continue her studies so she can become a powerlifting instructor.