A PARALYMPIC hopeful has broken a European wheelchair racing record at his first international event.
University of Worcester student Ben Oliver took six seconds off the 800m T33 track record at the International Paralympic Committee Athletics Grand Prix in Nottwil, Switzerland with a time of two minutes 22 seconds.
The 20-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and is originally from Bodmin in Cornwall, took up wheelchair racing three years ago after a year teaching himself by watching others.
He now has a coach and trains 15-hours-a-week whilst studying for a Sports Coaching Science with Disability Sport degree.
He said when it was announced on the tannoy he could not believe it.
“It still hasn’t sunk in to be honest.
“It’s just good to have and it’s strange having it and saying I’m the European record holder.”
Earlier this year, Ben received a £600 scholarship from the university to help with expenses for the competition. He also received an entry scholarship in recognition of his outstanding grades from Truro College.
Ben managed to raise a further £1,230 to cover the trip to the competition, which allows him to be internationally classified and means his times will count towards a World ranking.
Ben is now focussed on competing at the World ParaAthletics Championships in London next summer and building on his record and he has his eye on the next Paralympic Games.
But as it only offers 100m racing, which is not his strongest event, Ben said he would have to lose a second off his time to qualify and be consistent to make the Great Britain squad.
He said he now had a good platform to work from to catch the top competitors in that event.
“Next year I can really smash it and go even further than I have gone before.”
