INSPO Fitness Journal October 2017

Eugene Bonthuys Media - ebmedia.shootproof.com
Sport has always been a huge part of
his life, since he started swimming
and athletics aged three.
"At school, rugby became my main sport.
I thrived whenever sports were involved. As
a child it was all I lived for. All I focused on
was winning."
Mitch's life took a drastic turn in 2012
when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor,
throwing his sporting involvement into
disarray.
"My eyesight was damaged extensively
and I was left legally blind. In 2013, I was
given the all clear, having beaten the cancerous
tumor. "
From 2012 to 2014, Mitchell admits that
he struggled adapting to his new life.
"Eventually I began to think about sports
again, as well as what I wanted to achieve.
My first thought was Paralympic and
World Champion. I inquired through Sport
Waikato to see what sports visually impaired
people could compete in and para-cycling
was mentioned."
Mitch attended a Talent ID camp in New
Plymouth in 2015 and although he initially
missed out on making the Para-cycling NZ
development programme, he continued attending
events and showing his interest. His
perseverance paid off and mid-2015 he was
invited into the development programme.
In 2016, Para-cycling invited Mitch into
the Pathway to Podium programme led by
Daniella Cameron in the Waikato region.
Competing at national road and track
cycling events with his pilot was a 'good
learning curve' and the pair achieved some
solid results, getting personal best results
each time they competed.
Earlier this year, Mitchell paired up
with a new pilot (a former junior world
champion) and in their first event together
they rode a New Zealand record time in the
Individual pursuit and also gained gold in
the National's road race event.
INSPO Fitness Journal finds out more ...
Name: Mitchell Wilson
Age: 24
Sport: ParaCycling
Current ranking: 2017, tandem individual
pursuit New Zealand record holder, and
fourth place at International Criterion,
Tokyo
Career path: I hope to be a dog trainer, and
also share my story with others.
Sporting goals: Winning at World Champs
and Paralympic Games. Breaking World and
Paralympic records.
Upcoming goals:
• Training to build power, strength and
endurance.
• Regional Championships in December,
2017.
• Nationals in February 2018.
• Trying to qualify for Worlds in 2018.
Greatest successes to date in the sport:
February 2017, New Zealand national
record time in the Individual pursuit (Para-
Cycling).
What motivates you: Striving to be the best.
Greatest challenge: Being able to produce
the power needed to reach the top level.
The team around you: Katie Schofield
(coach), Stu MacDonald (ParaCycling
NZ), Laura Thompson (ParaCycling NZ
development co-ordinator), Daniella
Cameron (P2P co-ordinator), Rod Corban
(HPSNZ sport psychologist), Christina
Jacklin (HPSNZ athlete life advisor), Bill
Smart (strength and conditioning coach).
Long term goals and what is required
to reach them: World and Paralympic
Champion in 1km Time Trial. World
Record in 1 km TT. To reach them requires
100% commitment and effort in training,
nutrition and all areas of life.
Your favourite local spots to train: On
the erg in my shed. At the Avantidrome
(Cambridge) on the track and in the gym.
Your advice to others wanting to have a go
at the sport: Do it!
Pathway to Podium
Pathway to Podium (P2P) is a partnership
between Sport New Zealand, High
Performance Sport New
Zealand, and targeted National Sporting
Organisations to ensure emerging athletes
are fully prepared to enter the demanding
high performance sport system.
P2P operates through a national network
of 14 Regional Talent Hubs. The hubs provide
opportunities for athletes from different
sports to come together, attend educational
workshops, and receive advice and
instruction in various athlete performance
support disciplines such as strength and
conditioning, nutrition, athlete life and
psychology. A hub coordinator works with
athletes, coaches, and National Sporting
Organisation staff to provide coordinated
support to best prepare athletes for high
performance and international competition.
Athletes are selected to the programme
by nomination from their National Sporting
Organisation. For Paralympics New
Zealand, nomination considerations include
performance progression, readiness for
international competition, and demonstrated
commitment to desirable high performance
behaviours.
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