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Natalie Blake
I started powerlifting after the Junior games at S/M in 1998, when I went with the school to compete in wheelchair racing. My first competition was in the following April at Stamford-le-Hope, where I set a new junior record, that was on the Sunday, on the Monday I flew out to Oklahoma with the British Weightlifting Association for the Disabled( BWAD) Squad.
In July 99, I set a new British record at the British Open, and was then fast tracked on to the elite squad. In October 99, I was selected to go to New Zealand for the Wheelchair Games, where I won Gold.
In November 99 came my first major competition with the elite squad, representing G.B. at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary, unfortunately this turned out to be one of those days. Since then I have gone on to compete all over the world, France, Malaysia, South Africa, and Slovakia, taking Gold in the majority of the competitions. I also was awarded best junior athlete of 1999.
I have also competed in two Paralympics Games, and was fortunate to be one of the first Women to be allowed to compete in the Paralympics Powerlifting, as Sydney was the first one.
I am currently the Junior and Senior record holder in both the 60klg and 56klg class, and I am hoping after my next competition in Dec. to also be the 52klg record holder.
In powerlifting you are a junior until you are 23, because of my age, I am in the fortunate position that it would be possible for me to go to at least 5 more Paralympics if I wished to continue in the sport.
The best accolade I have received, was being voted by The Variety Club, as The Disabled Female Athlete, this award was presented to me at the Hilton Hotel in London earlier this year
My goal is to win a medal in the next Paralympics, and then to stay No 1 for as long as possible. I would also hope to become a powerlifting coach and help others achieve their goals.