Double Paralympian Anna Nicholson setting her sights on the podium in Paris

Making one Paralympic team is an incredible achievement, but to be selected to represent your country twice is a huge achievement - something which Gateshead Harrier, Anna Nicholson, is very excited to do later this week in the F35 shot put. We recently caught up with Anna and coach, Richard Kaufman, to talk all about their journey together over the last decade, and how she has been preparing for the Games.

Excitement for her first 'real' Games experience

Although Anna will be representing ParalympicsGB for the second time in Paris, she feels like this is her first Paralympic experience after an empty stadium in 2021.

"It's really exciting to be selected. The first Games in Tokyo were always what we were working towards but it was a bit uncertain whether I would be selected. Whereas with Paris, we have worked really hard and had a great season so far, so we were quite confident that I would hopefully be selected.

"Tokyo was so different having no crowd, so this to some extent feels like my first Paralympic Games. It' been very different trying to prepare myself for 60,000 people in the stadium. I have competed both indoors and outdoors at the British Championships to try and be in a venue where there is some atmosphere. I have also been training with crowd noise in the background to try and get used to it. Unfortunately, para athletes don't always get the big crowds, and I didn't get to go to the World Championships, so I am excited and nervous to compete in front of a packed stadium in Paris."

Finding the balance

As well as performing on the biggest stage in Paris, Anna is also a part-time engineer working three days a week alongside her training, something which enables her to focus on both of her passions. "It is difficult to balance everything. At the moment I work three days per week which allows me to have the other two days to rest and recover from the training. With two extra days it is not all about training more, but instead focusing on training smarter within the week.

"I enjoy having two different things to focus on, I can go to work for a break from training and then train for a mental break from working, which means I can put more energy into both aspects."

Perfecting the final touches

Anna and coach Richard have been soaking up all of the Paralympic excitement in the British holding camp for the last two weeks, fine tuning the final preparations ahead of the competition on the 5 September.

"It has been all about the final touches rather than doing a huge volume of throws," explained Richard. "Instead we are making each throw quality, and making it count. For the competition day, it is about finding the balance between accepting it is a big competition whilst still keeping it quite relaxed."

Paris will be the first chance Anna has had to have coach Richard on the side lines to coach and support her throughout the Paralympic competition:

"Anna is super intelligent," explained Richard. "During a competition she will come up to me and know exactly what to improve and what adjustments to make and I am there as a reassurance to give extra confidence." Anna added: "with tens of thousands of people in the stands it will be good for me to have the same, normal conversations we would if at a local meeting. It will help keep me stay calm and treat it as any other competition."

An inspirational start for ParalympicsGB so far

Although in different categories, Anna has the fantastic Sabrina Fortune to look up to in the shot put who has already not only won a gold medal but set a brand new world record in the process.

"I have loved watching Sabrina compete," expressed Anna, "especially as I have been training with her in the holding camp. She has made me believe that these dreams are possible, for her to go out there, execute an incredible first throw and take the title is so inspiring."

Richard added: "particularly around the Olympic Games there was some scrutiny around a lack of throwers but Anna, Sabrina, Hollie and Funmi are branding together and flying the flag for Great Britain. Our British throwers are here to put on a show and prove that they are amongst the world's best and we are ready to perform."

Show your support!

Anna will be competing in the F35 shot put on Thursday 5 September, and you can follow along with her progress on Channel4, More4 and YouTube. We would like to wish Anna and Richard all the very best of luck for their Paralympic journey!

All image credits to ParalympicsGB: Image Comms