User talk:Fred1379

Anne Wafula Strike

Biography

Anne was born in Kenya on 08th May 1969 into a family of 8 and life was very tough. It became even tougher when she was struck down with polio. Wheelchairs were not common in her country so she was forced to get around on callipers and crutches made of solid steel. Despite all the disadvantages she managed to do very well in school and went on to university, earning a B.Ed and becoming a teacher.

She came to the UK in 2000 and married her fiancé, whom she’d met whilst he was working with VSO in Kenya. Their son, Tim, was born in 2001, and in an effort to reduce her gained weight she began training in her wheelchair at the local running club. Her potential was spotted by a coach, Terry Martin, and it was he who helped Anne to get her first racing chair.

Anne took to the sport like a duck to water and began winning races. Even the theft of her racing chair didn’t deter her and she raised the money for a new one with the help of a local radio station and friends. She became the first ever wheelchair racer from East Africa to compete in the 2004 Paralympics and was awarded a special gold medal to recognize her achievement.

Competitions and Achievements

On 20th February 2010 Anne with others launched the Disability Empowerment Association which is charity based in Harlow.

2009

Currently ranked just outside the top 10 in the world in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres.

2008

Ann was 0.1of a second out of selection of the Beijing Paralympics in the 100 metres A member of the GB squad 2006/2008 Fastest female GB racer over 100 metres and 200 metres. Fourth place in the Paralympics World Cup, 100 metres 31.24 seconds in the World Series, 200 metres 17.37 seconds in the Swiss Championships, 100 metres 58.82 seconds in the British Wheelchair, 400 metres

2007

Bronze Medallist in the Paralympics World Cup 4th place in the World Championships, Tapai, 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres

2004

Ann became the first Kenyan woman to compete in Paralympics Games, reaching the final in the T53 400 metres final in Athens.