Serena 'Mountain Goat' Blackburn Wins Leeds Sports Award
Deaf UK Athletics international, Serena ‘Mountain Goat’ Blackburn who also competes for Horsforth Harriers was nominated and short-listed for ‘The Disability sport performer of the year 2008’ at the Leeds City Council Sport Awards.
Serena who won a superb bronze medal in the marathon at the 1st World Deaf Athletics Championships in Izmir, Turkey September 2008 beat world class Paralympians to win the award.
Stunned and speechless, Serena said: “I didn’t think I would win after people nominated me. It was a shock when my coach faxed me to say that I have been short-listed. Even then, I didn’t dream of winning it. There were so many brilliant disabled athletes. Anyway, for once, I pampered myself with the best of what I could afford. It was an amazing day at Leeds Civic Centre. The food was gorgeous. Half way through the awards, I was then announced as the winner of ‘The Leeds disability sports performer of the year 2008’. I almost collapsed, but saw tears rolling down the cheeks of my interpreter. It was very emotional. No more negative thoughts-come on Taiwan!”
This was the accumulation of Blackburn’s sheer commitment, dedication and focus in athletics over the last year. Despite numerous difficulties and challenges both in personal and employment environments, Blackburn continued to participate in regular training sessions and partook in various competitions. She overcame one injury after another to run a magnificent race in the 1st World Deaf Athletics Championships in Izmir last year which brought her a superb bronze medal in the extremely hot and dry weather of Turkey.
“Serena’s efforts and dedication to training paid off on the marathon course in Turkey and now she has the well deserved recognition of her peers. We wish her every success in the Deaflympics in Taiwan later this year” added Mac Springer, Serena's coach and club captain.
DUKA Director, Brian Kokoruwe said: “To win this ‘disability’ award is a wonderful achievement not only for Serena, but for deaf athletics as a whole. In winning this award, Serena beat several Paralympians and it proves that competitively, deaf athletes’ achievements can be on par with Paralympians. It is thus disappointing that the government does not recognise the need to support deaf athletes. This is a very proud moment for Serena, her club, DUKA, her family and friends. It shows the fairness and the provision of equality for all at Leeds City Council and its partners. Well done, Serena.”
