Great Britain’s Kat Cheng – who plays for Clapham-based women’s team Iceni – is targeting a top-three finish in the upcoming Ultimate Frisbee U23 World Championships in St.Albans.
The sport – known just as ‘Ultimate’ – is played in more than 50 countries worldwide and by 15,000 people in the UK alone.
The U23 World Championships will take place from the 12-18 July at UCL London Colney and will serve as an opportunity to promote the sport on home soil.
“We are all really buzzing for it – it’s a chance for us to showcase what we do and what we love,” said Cheng.
“We want a medal on our home turf so we can say ‘look, we are good at this sport and this is what we have to show for it’.
“We are all committed and dedicated not only to our own fitness but to the team’s development and supporting each other.
“When we come to practice we don’t mess around, we are focussed and driven because we are all aiming for that same goal.
“It’s great that our friends and family can come and watch us. Hopefully that will rub off on other people and they will want to take up the sport and then the Ultimate community will grow.
“This year is going to be the highlight of my career and having a medal round my neck at the end of it would be incredible.”
Cheng, who moved to London after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University, has a busy summer ahead representing three teams.
As well as the U23 World Championships with the GB Women’s side, Cheng will represent current National and European champions Iceni domestically – with the possibility of further European success – and she is involved in the GB women’s senior squad as they prepare for the European Championships in Copenhagen.
“I love it,” said Cheng. “It’s a huge commitment financially and time-wise but it’s worth it.
“It’s a great way to keep fit and play with my friends. It also has the added bonus that I now get to represent my country.”
