Blake secures 4th

Three times Paralympian, Natalie Blake, went into the IPC Powerlifting World Championships ranked 2^nd on the IPC World Rankings, however when the start list was released it showed that a number of athletes had either moved from other weight categories or had qualified after the ranking lists had been published, on her current performances Natalie was now ranked ~5^th.

Natalie decided to open safely with a lift of 90 kg, which was given as a good lift by all 3 judges, looking at the rest of the athletes in the group still to lift this should have put her in 4^th, but Zhiping Wong of China opening with 102.5 kg was given a no lift 2-1 against by the referees, so Blake was in 3rd after the first round. Natalie then went up to 92.5 kg.  Again a confident lift to remain in 3rd as Zhiping again was given a no lift.  With the athletes in 4^th and 5^th,  Naima Elyousri, (MAR) and Miriam Isela Aguilar Jimenez (MEX) going up to 95kg, Natalie would need 97.5 kg to stay ahead of them as they would both beat her on body weight if they lifted the same total. Both these lifters  were both unsuccessful at 95kg Natalie did not get the 97.5 kg and Wong was succesful with her final attempt of 102.5 kg, confirming Natalie in 4^th.  The event was won by Tamara Podpalnaya (RUS) with a best lift of 120 kg confirming her dominance in this event. Natalie stated 'I was disappointed not to be in the medals but know that I have 2 years to London and am confident that I can challenging for a medal then'.  Natalie was coached on the day by Great Britain Head Coach Nicola Vaughn-Ellis and supported by Great Britain Squad Coach Dan Wagner.

This concludes the Great Britain's team participation at the IPC Worlds which go on to Friday, overall it has been a good performance by the Great Britain team with Zoe Newson crowned World Junior Champion and both Zoe and Natalie Blake remaining in the top 6 on the IPC Rankings which is the standard required by the IPC for being offered a place for London 2012 Paralympics.  Adam Alderman in has also demonstrated that he is capable of challenging for a London 2012 place, which for the men is a top 10 IPC Ranking.

The team has been without Paralympians Anthony Peddle, Jason Irving and Ali Jawad, due to medical reasons but all three athletes have their sights firmly set on London and will be looking to establish themselves in the IPC top ten rankings in 2011..

Full results will be posted for the IPC Powerlifting 2010 World Champioships will be posted on the IPC Powerlifting website.

Anyone who thinks they have the potential to be a powerlifter and is interested in finding out more about the the sport and the requirements for the Great Britain Talent Confirmation Squad should contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .