Fatima throws advice to potential Olympic champion
28th JuneThe listing was posted by Impulse Leisure
Blackshots has welcomed an Olympic hopeful and his coach into the club. Al Qutate and his coach Said Alharthi from Oman are currently being trained by the legendary Olympic javelin medallist, Fatima Whitbread.
The Sheikh of Oman, has given Al the chance to train with the best in his field. The Sheikh has funded the whole trip to England in hope that Al one day soon becomes a champion in Javelin and is given the chance to represent his country at the Olympics.
Al Qutate is 18 years old and is a dedicated and passionate athlete who dreams of becoming an Olympic champion. His coach Said Alharthi is a former javelin athlete, and has been training Al to reach his goals. Both Al and Said have been introduced to Fatima to help increase their strength and performance. She has brought in a new weights and training programme which covers everything from a change in diet, techniques on how to use equipment safely and effectively through to the psychological focus and determination of reaching and then beating Al’s personal best. While training in Blackshots Al has been lifting weights of 75kilos/118llbs, a great achievement in itself! His personal best when throwing the javelin is 69 metres so far, however Fatima believes that he is capable of throwing as far as 74 metres.
Al and Said both visit Blackshots leisure club three times a week to train as well as visiting the racing track on Blackshots field each and every week come rain or shine! Both athletes have learnt a great deal from Fatima’s experience and advice and shall be taking her revised training programme home with them when they return on the 4th July. Al and his coach with Fatima’s help visited Ireland last week and are flying out to Macow in China on July 11th for an open meeting. It’s a chance for young athletes around the world to compete against each other.
Fatima decided to bring them to Impulse Leisure to mentor them as she finds the staff professional and very helpful, as well as it being a club with great facilities. Fatima said, “I think Al is one of the most talented young men in his field. If he realises his dreams I’m sure he can go a long way and can be an Olympic medallist. He’s ready for the challenge now, he’s working the technique now which is giving him more confidence. If he only believes in himself, this extra confidence will give him more passion.”
Impulse Leisure would like to thank Fatima, Al and Said for using the club’s facilities and wish Al lots of luck in all of his competitions especially the Olympics in 2008. It has been a pleasure seeing you around the club, we hope you have enjoyed your visit.
If anybody would like more information regarding the facilities at Impulse Leisure, please contact your nearest club; Blackshots (01375) 375533, Belhus Park (01708) 856297 and Corringham, (01375) 678070.