Anne Wafula Strike

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Name: Anne Wafula-Strike

Height: 175 cm

Weight: 52 kg

Essex base: Harlow

Date of Birth: 08/05/1969

Sport: Athletics (Wheelchair Racing)

 Event: 100 metre, 200 metre, 400 metre, 800 metre and long distance to create awareness

Club: Harlow Running Club

Coach:

• Alan Stevens - Harlow Running Club Coach

Occupation:

• Full time athlete and inspriational speaker
• Previously worked as an Englsih Teacher in Kenya

Competitions and Achievements

2009

• Currently ranked just outside the top 10 in the world in the 100 metres, 200 metres and 400 metres.  

2008

• Ann was was 0.1of a second out of selection of the Beijing Paralympics in the 100 metres
• A member of the GB squad 2006/2008
• Fastest female GB racer over 100 metres and 200 metres.
• Fourth place in the Paralympic World Cup, 100 metres
• 31.24 seconds in the World Series, 200 metres
• 17.37 seconds in the Swiss Championships, 100 metres
• 58.82 seconds in the British Wheelchair, 400 metres

2007

• Bronze Medallist in the Paralympic World Cup
• 4th place in the World Championships, Tapai, 100 metres, 200 metres, 400 metres

2004

• Ann became the first Kenyan woman to compete in a Paralympic Games, reaching the final in the T53 400 metres final in Athens. 

Highlights

• Being the first ever wheelchair racer from East Africa to appear in the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games
• Bronze medalist in the 2007 Paralympic World Cup

Team Essex Ambassadorial duties

• Working with Harlow School Sports Partnership based at Mark Halll School
• Journey to the Podium - Working with artist Elaine Tribley
• Started Sport Relief Mile-Chelmsford 2010
• Attended Sport Relief events by the Adacademies Enterprise Trust 2010

Impact of the Team Essex Ambassador Award

• Increased opportunities to train and compete locally and internationally

Other Information

Kenyan born Ann was struck down with polio at the age of two. The polio affected Anne's legs leading to her reliance on callipers and crutches made of steel to get around.   This is where her upper body strength comes from.  Anne went on to University where she earned a B.Ed degree and went on to become an English teacher working for VSO in Kenya.  Anne came to the UK in 2000 and from 2001 began to train at Harlow Running Club where her potential was noticed.  She got her first racing chair and soon began winning races locally, regionally and nationally. 

In 2004 Anne recieved special recognition for being the first female to participate in Wheelchair Racing at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games.
 

View Anne's Blog for more information