The 2016 Cateran Yomp ambassador, Micky Yule, has secured a place representing Great Britain in powerlifting at this summer’s Paralympics.
Micky – who was a staff sergeant with the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan in 2010 when he lost both legs in an explosion – has had to work hard over a long period to secure his Paralympics debut.
The qualification period for Rio lasted almost two years, starting after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.
“I knew I had to lift at least another 15kg more than I had ever lifted before, so the pressure was on,” he said.
“It all came down to a big competition in Malaysia and I smashed it on the day.”
Micky impressed in that competition by qualifying in two weight groups – the 65kg and 72kg – and British Weightlifting had to decide which category to select him in.
They opted for the 65kg group, meaning he has to lose 6kgs. Between now and September, Micky will be on a strict diet to bring his body fat under eight per cent, so no treats!
“To be honest, I never expected not to be going to Rio,” he said. “I set that goal from the beginning and I wasn’t going to let myself fail. Everyone is really excited and behind me 100%. Rio is going to be incredible.”
In the run-up to the Paralympics, Micky will compete at next month’s Invictus Games in Florida, where he could be up against powerlifters who will also be in Rio.
“The Invictus Games are a great trial run for Rio,” he said. “I can absorb the amazing atmosphere and consider it as part of my road to Rio journey. My competition is the first up, so I want to be the first guy that wins a gold medal.”
Micky will continue training and focus on staying injury free ahead of Rio, and of course, the Yomp.
With less than two months until Yomp 2016, he is encouraging people to sign up for the adventure hike. Already, a record-breaking 865 people have signed up for the charity event on June 11 and 12.
Last year’s event saw 600 competitors including 217 serving soldiers and veterans taking on the challenge, which has three routes – 22 miles, 36.5 miles, or the full leg-sapping 54 miles – around the historic Cateran Trail in just 24 hours.
“I can’t wait to get people motivated and excited about achieving their best times ever out on the trail in June,” said Micky.
- Sign up for the Cateran Yomp at www.soldierscharity.org.
