The 15-year-old competed in his first disability event, the Paralympic World Cup, in May.
Until this year Hounslow’s Kyle Powell never knew disability sprinting existed – but having earned his maiden British vest and just joined the team in Portugal he now very much does.
The 15-year-old was oblivious to anything other than able-bodied athletics prior to attending a Parallel Success and Athlete Talent Introduction Day last November, where was classified as a T/F45 athlete.
Powell competed in his first disability event, which also acted as his British debut, in May – the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester – finishing seventh in both the 100m and 200m.
And he clearly made an impression as he was invited to attend a London 2012 Simulation Camp in Monte Gordo, Portugal, courtesy of Aviva who have been supporting British athletes since 1999 this month.
Powell’s times in both the 100m and 200m are just outside the qualifying standard for next year’s Games but, having been given a glimpse of 2012, he is determined to go from unaware nobody to Paralympian.
“I really didn’t know anything about disability athletics this time last year – I was racing with my club against able-bodied people and just never realised,” said Powell.
“I was invited to a talent day and I went to a couple of them and a couple of weeks later I got a letter through saying that I had been picked for the Paralympic World Cup.
“It was really fast and I really wasn’t expecting it and I never thought in a couple of months I would be in Portugal. I have been pleased with my training this year and I have taken things a lot more serious.
“It really is unbelievable and if I could get the A standard for the Paralympics I would be over the moon. I’ll have my GCSEs next year but there is enough time between them and the Games.”
Powell has also taken to the long jump runaway this year but is unlikely pursue that much further – instead concentrating on his individual sprints plus the T42-46 4x100m relay.
The Hounslow teenager got to know his British teammates Richard Whitehead, Jonnie Peacock and Ola Abidogun in Portugal and he admitted to relishing being part of the quartet.
“I am really going to focus on qualifying for the 100m and the 200m – my current times aren’t the A standard and the long jump I don’t think I am strong enough,” he added.
“But I also have the 4x100m and the training we did in Portugal as a team was really good. I was working with the older more experienced athletes, like Richards Whitehead, and it was great.
You can apply for tickets until 6pm on Monday 26th September for the London 2012 Paralympic Games – for more information, please go to www.tickets.london2012.com. Three quarters of tickets are priced at £20 or less.
