This Loughborough student is heading for the Commonwealth Games
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From 4th- 15th April 2018, Gold Coast Australia will play host to the largest Commonwealth para-sport programme in history.
Third-year Loughborough University student and funded athlete since 2014, Joshua Bain is amongst those competing in the first ever shot F38/37 event for para-sports athletes.
He said: “Para-sports events have been in the Commonwealths before, but never mine. My best event has always been discus - I won a European bronze 2 years ago, but now my focus has switched to shot. I really want to win a medal at the games this year and I'm very close to getting one in shot!”
Joshua also has cerebral palsy to compete with, a condition which affects muscle energy and coordination.
“The biggest issue I find is conserving my energy. People with CP normally use 50% more energy just by standing. When I'm in labs all day standing and walking about it can be hard to hit a training session after.
"Although a lot of my training is based on reducing weaknesses that I have gotten from having CP I make sure I do a lot of balancing and coordination stuff on both sides of my body.”
This means that university studies, training, and working to reduce the effects of CP are a real balancing act, but Joshua approaches all challenges with inspiring determination.
“It's tough and requires a lot of
Though Joshua has no particular idols in the sporting industry, he says that the constant support from his girlfriend Anna motivates him to keep shooting for a Commonwealth medal.
Take a look at Joshua’s athlete profile here http://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=91588, and catch him on 11th April competing for England!
Image Credit - Wikipedia Commons.
