An Interview With Emerging Paralympic Athlete Kare Adenegan

One of the Bablake pupils highlighted on Monday evening at our 2014 Sports Awards was 13 year old Kare Adenegan who won an award for her Athletics success. Earlier this term, we asked Kare to tell us more about her achievements and future ambitions, since she has been selected as one of only five paralympic athletes for the British Athletics Futures Programme and is also taking part in the upcoming London Mini Marathon.

How did you earn selection as one of GB’s elite athletes?

'I am a product of the London 2012 Paralympic Games legacy. In July 2012, I was at home watching a wheelchair race at the Paralympics Games and remember saying to my parents that I felt I could do this.

I pestered my parents to enrol me in a wheelchair racing club and they found out that there was an academy at Warwick University, a few minutes from my home, which turned out to be very handy. I went down for a trial and instantly wanted to go again.

In September 2013, my first season as a wheelchair racer, I was ranked second in the 100 metres in Great Britain behind Hannah Cockroft- the double Paralympic champion and double world champion.

In 2013, I had the fifth fastest time in the world for 100m, the world's sixth fastest times in 200m and 400m, and second fastest time for 1,500m! I also hold the current records for the T34 U15 England Age Group Championship wheelchair racing at 100, 200, 400 and 1,500 metre distances.

As a result of these times, I was invited by the British Olympic Association to attend a camp for young athletes and subsequently three British Athletics talent development camps. This was soon followed by a call from the GB wheelchair lead coach to join a team of wheelchair athletes with the potential to win medals for Team GB at the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016. 

In February, I was selected for the 2014 British Athletics Paralympic Futures Programme for those eligible to represent GB at future internationals. I have since been notified that my name is on the list of 50 athletes to represent the GB team at the IWAS World Junior Championship and The European Championship in August 2014.' 

What kind of training now happens via the programme?

'I cannot disclose the exact training programme at the GB camp, as by its very nature it makes the GB wheelchair team very successful! However on a personal level, I train six days a week.

I do speed work for the short distances and road work for the longer distances. I also have a very good swimming regime hence the nickname 'shoulders'! I do lots of physiotherapy exercises, eat well and get much rest. We are also encouraged to have lots of fun with our friends and family!'

From a personal point of view, wheelchair racing is a fun sport and, by enjoying my sport, it makes it easier to train well.

What is your proudest moment in athletics so far?

'Without a shadow of doubt, the London Virgin Mini Marathon Wheelchair Race in April 2013 was my proudest moment as it was my first ever race. My adrenaline was pretty high and there were lots of people cheering me on the London streets from Monument Street to Pall Mall. It was like racing through a Monopoly board! I managed to be placed second and was glad to have finished!

I was totally overwhelmed and lost precious minutes admiring the Houses of Parliament, London Bridge and Buckingham Palace! Nonetheless, I would not change anything, as it was a day full of fun!

I will be back at the London Virgin Mini Marathon in a few weeks, having fun and hoping to do well. Sport instills discipline, fun and hope for many people and has done so for many decades.

It is simply my passion to see all children participate in sports regardless of their disability, race and gender. This year’s marathon is made more special as I am fundraising for the Richard Overrall Trust- a very small family charity in Hampshire that supports all young disabled people to stay active by participating in sports. 

I trust that I can count on the support of my friends, teachers and other Bablake pupils alike with the fundraising.' 

Indeed, Bablake will be giving the proceeds of a weekly charity collection to Kare later this year and we would be delighted with more ideas and events to support her.

We then asked Kare if she had any sporting role models and, if so, why those people?

'I have several sporting role models who individually have several qualities that I admire.

In the wheelchair racing world, my role model is Hannah Cockroft MBE. I saw Hannah win two Gold medals at the London Paralympics 2012, which created my interest in wheelchair racing. Hannah is now at Coventry University and we both train at the Warwick University Wheelchair Academy (home to Coventry Godiva Harriers). Hannah is highly competitive, has an outgoing personality and is dedicated to her sport, so I really am learning from the best in the world.

Jade Jones is a T54 wheelchair racer and a member of the GB Team. Jade is a remarkable athlete (18 years old) and is in her first year at a UK University. Jade competes against athletes much older than she is and yet is able to break into a world ranking in what is predominantly a very difficult classification. Jade is consistently good, very calm and approachable. I admire her drive and hardwork.

Last but not the least, the football squad at Arsenal FC! Thank you, the Gunners, for working hard and turning up for practice every season. You have all taught me to believe in myself. I have come to realise that with hardwork and patience comes success.'

What is your sporting dream or ambition?

'To represent my country at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio and do Bablake, the city of Coventry, my family and my friends proud by bringing back a medal. At present any colour medal will do! However GOLD will be simply amazing.'

Thank you, Kare, for a fantastic interview- one of the best we have conducted- and we wish you all the best for your quest for Paralympic gold.

Photograph by kind permission of Jamie Gray, freelance photographer and videographer, and the Coventry Telegraph.