Paralympic wheelchair racer Dan Bramall who volunteers at Shavington Leisure Centre has recently been selected for the Rio Olympics 2016.
Dan has been wheelchair racing since 2012 which all started through a friend “I got into the sport by Stuart Bloor, he introduced me to Rick Hoskins, who is my coach now” Says Dan.
At first Dan started racing for fitness which progressed into competing in local competitions, which Dan saw a fantastic result in his times which were brought down from 23 seconds to 18 seconds.
Dan continued to compete in local competitions and took on his first major championship in Doha, Dubai, where he received Silver medal in 2015.
This year he has continued to compete in various local competitions where his times reduced again to his personal best of 17.82 seconds after having a new wheelchair. Dan has just returned from the European championships where he again received Silver Medal. The success didn’t stop there, on his return from the European Championships he received a phone call to say he had been selected for the Rio Olympics on 10th September 2016.
Dan explains “I have got a few more competitions left coming up before Rio in September, they are Bedford international games on the 30th & 31st which I will be doing 100m 200m and 400m. On the 13th of August I will be at stoke manderville for BWAA.”
He continues “I feel fitter than 2015, the major championships in Doha got me focused, I trained hard, I am eating healthy and I am excited for the Rio Olympics.”
Dan currently trains 4 days a week at Stockport Harriers track in Cheadle and Queens Park in Crewe, as well as this he trains 40 minutes at home on his turbo trainer twice a day when he is not at the track.
Since
working at Shavington Leisure Centre, Dan met Personal Trainer Mitch who works at the Crewe Lifestyle Centre. They will now work together on the approach to Rio to help towards Dan’s training.
Mitch explains “What Dan has achieved in such a short period of time is inspiring for anybody and I’m sure will motivate many people. This just proves that if you have the determination and are prepared to put in the work any goal can be achieved.”
He continues “Although I’ve only been working with Dan for a relatively short period I’m happy to be of assistance to him and look forward to seeing how he performs come the 10th September at the Paralympic Games over in Rio”.
After Rio Dan explained “I will have a two week break before I start my winter training for next years world championships in London, July 2017.”
We wish Dan all the best in his training and competitions coming up especially for Rio in September.
For more information on our Everybody facilities and our Personal Training offer, please visit our website: www.everybody.org.uk