Sports Achievement
Our Individual achievement page is dedicated to any young disabled person living in the borough who has achieved a high standard in their chosen sport. If you would like to share your achievements please either send in or email a side of A4 of who you are, what your sport is and what you have achieved along with a photo if you have one. We will then post your achievements here on our website.
Active Kingston Team
Guildhall 2
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU.
Email sue.johnson@rbk.kingston.gov.uk
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan Smith is 17 years old and lives in Kingston. Jonathan's sport is wheelchair racing and he trains with Velocity Wheelchair Club. Read his story here:
"On the 7 and 8 July 2007 I competed in DSE Junior National Championships in Blackpool. This event is held annually for juniors. It attracts disabled athletes from all over the UK. To enter this event all athletes have to reach the national standards for the events they want to enter.
As I achieved the standard I entered six events in this competition. On the Saturday I competed in the 800m, 100m, 400m, and 1500m. My first race of the day was the 800m this went really well. I had a good race and I finished first in my age group. The next race was the 100m. This was my best race of the weekend. I did a Personal best and won my age group. My third race was the 400m. This also went very well and I again ended up winning my age group. My final race for the day was the 1500m. This was a harder race, although I still managed to win my age group, which was quite an achievement.
On Sunday I had to face my biggest race of the weekend the 3000m, It went very well tactically, although it was very tough and challenging and I was very thrilled to finish second in the race and win my age group. I also broke the national record for this distance for the under 17’s.
My second race of the day and last of the competition was the 200m. This race was a very quick race. I came 3rd overall and won my age group.
It was a very successful weekend and a great experience. I had a great time and managed to learn a lot to help me with my racing."
Jonathan Smith (Wheelchair Racer)
Jack Binstead
Jack Binstead is 11 years old and lives in Kingston. Jack's sport is wheelchair racing. Read his profile here:
His key achievements are:
- London Mini Marathon 2007 U13 boys Champion
- Winner in the DSE Nationals in the relay
His aims are:
- To compete in the London Marathon
- To race for his country one day in the Paralympics games, he is aiming for 2016 when he will be 20.
How did you first get involved in your sport?
"I was nine years old when I was introduced to a local disability sports day which was run by the 915 club through the Kingston Council sports team. It was there I was noticed for my good sports skills and was approached by the lady who held the event (Sandi Barker) She said there is a local club called Velocity Wheelchair Racers, you'll enjoy wheelchair athletics. So that's what we did and I've never looked back."
When did you first realise you had a talent for your sport?
"As soon as I tried wheelchair racing I loved it and the people at the club were really nice to me."
Describe a typical day in your sporting life?
"I train three times a week sometimes four at our home track in New Malden, each session is about 1 1/2 hours long on a Monday, Wednesday and Saturday."
Who is your sporting hero and why?
"I train closely with Tushar Patel sometimes one to one to get some of his experience. He's great fun but takes his sport seriously. I also know David Weir too because he also belongs to the same club. I see myself very lucky to have these people around me because I see them as just racers, even though they are the best."