THROWDOWN FIRST-TIMERS ENJOY THE ENVIRONMENT AND EXPERIENCE
A mix of competition and camaraderie helped to make the first Hambo Throwdown so successful.
Organised by the Matt Hampson Foundation, the Throwdown is the first functional fitness event in the UK exclusively for wheelchair users and featured more than 25 entrants in a day of competition at The Panic Gym in Melton Mowbray.
Athletes ranged from first-timers to more experienced fitness competitors, with four categories for entries.
Olivia Langley, a Foundation beneficiary who finished third in her debut, said: “The day has been amazing – it surpassed my expectations. This was something I hadn’t done before and because it was being put on by the Foundation it felt like a safe and inclusive environment to try something new.
“I wouldn’t necessarily have jumped into it without this kind of entry level experience. Now I’ve done it, I’m more likely to try something else again.”
Liv identified the support of friends and family as well as fellow competitors as a key part of the experience.
Exercises
“There was great encouragement from everyone,” she said. “The whole atmosphere was excellent with everyone encouraging each other.
“Before today I was struggling with one of the exercises, but George [Thompson, Foundation sports therapist and Hambo Throwdown organiser] said the support would drive me forward. He was right.
“I lifted more than I’ve ever done and it shows how much the encouragement helps. It was just such a nice environment to experience something like this.”
Joe Clarke, from Shrewsbury, was the men’s winner despite no previous experience of this type of competition.
“I’ve loved it,” he said between workouts. “It’s been good having people from all ranges from first time to more experienced just having a go and getting involved.
“This is the first time I’ve entered something like this and I’ve trained for it over the past couple of weeks. It’s been great, the whole set-up, the great support, the organisation.
“I’ve been missing that competitive side. As soon as I could, I wanted that kind of healthy competition – it keeps your mind in check and gives you something to aim for.”
