I started training in athletics in December
2002. After playing football, cricket, tennis etc, I felt I need a new challenge. After coming across DELTA newsletter,
I read an advertisement saying that they are looking for deaf people who want to be an athlete. Not only I just want to train
for athletics, it gave me a chance to make new friends and find out more about their experiences.
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NEWFLASH!!!
After missing out a spot in GB Athletics Team for Melbourne Deaflympics
2005 due injuries and lack of training, I decided to run a number of half marathons in 2005 in bid to improve my endurance
in long distance. I realised that I can run for a long distance and the lacking point is my speed. So watch
out for my big improvement this year!!
On 6th Of March 2005, my first of many half-marathons.....I went to Reading. This
race was more like going thru it rather than trying to beat my personal best time of 1 hour 59 minutes. To my amazement,
I completed this half-marathon with a time of 1 hour 51 minutes 33 seconds. Offically I am in a 3502th position out
of 8446. I was dead pleased and I quite enjoyed the run around the city. Finishing at the magnificent stadium was the
high point of the race.
As soon after my cochlear implant operation on May 2005, I thought it would a long
while since I will start running back this year. Much to my amazement, I took part in 25th Great North Run in Newcastle
on 17th September 2005. ONLY JUST UNDER 5 MONTHS since my operation. It wasnt a risking taking decision as during the
race, I would make sure that I was prepared and also would drop out if I felt i wasnt ready.
AND.......I am glad I took part this enjoyful and satsifying run I ever
did. My time was 2 hours 2 minutes and 27 seconds. I came in position 10'247 out of 40'000+ runners!!! I felt
no injuries....maybe a cramp but nothing serious.
Just to prove that I can still take part in running even after having an cochlear
implant......watch out for me in the future. This man is improving every week.
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DUKA SPORT CALENDER
DUKA, Athletics Coaching
All coaching in Stoke on Trent
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I have been training with Deaf UK Athletics (DUKA) since December 2002 almost every month. My coach there
is named Brian Kokoruwe and he is also a director of DUKA. With the help from Clare Churchman, a sport physiologist,
I managed to find a local club nearby which called Leicester Coritanians A.C. I train there every Tuesday with
my coach named Mervyn Wilson.
Since then i have improved my strength and speed, but I can do more improvement and can go
faster. It is not all about running as fast you can, it is about learning to use techniques that help you to run freely
meaning fastest way as possible.
I had my first ever competitive race ever on 18th May 2003 at Alexandra
Stadium in Birmingham. The outcome was pretty good as I came with 2 bronze medals in 100m and 200m. However, I
felt that I was lucky to have one because there were some good competitors who withdrew from the races due to injuries and
exams.
I also completed in the most important event on May 29th 2004 in Ladywell. In
this London Regional event, Brian was watching us and selecting us for the Deaflympics.
First of all,
I did changed my events to longer distance from sprinter's events because I ran in a marathon in 2004 and I
am quite good at it. So I chosen 1500m and 5,000m event. The result was I came 1st in 5,000m with unofficial time of 20 minutes
36 minutes. For 1,500m, I came 3rd. I forgot my time for this event. Despite a good day for me, I HAVE FAILED
to reach the qualifying standard.
There was a last chance for me to run again in North London competition on
10th of July. I competed in 3000m event and came FIRST once again in 11 minutes 34 seconds. Another gold medal
to my collection! However, I was about 2-3 minutes away from the qualifying standard.
Below, I have put some pictures taken during the event and many more miscellaneous pics!
