International call for wheelchair racer

WHEELCHAIR race ace Will Smith has been selected for the GB squad to compete in the Junior World Championships being held in Olomouc in the Czech Republic over the next week, writes Viv Thomas.

WHEELCHAIR race ace Will Smith has been selected for the GB squad to compete in the Junior World Championships being held in Olomouc in the Czech Republic over the next week, writes Viv Thomas.

It's the first-ever international vest for the 14-year-old from Westfield near Dereham, who will be competing in the U16 section over four distances - the 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m.

His dad Mark explained: 'He will be one of the youngest out there. It really is a great opportunity for him and a fantastic experience.

'He is delighted, to say the least. He now has the official kit for travelling and competing and he flies out [today].'

He said that Will, who attends Northgate High School, had been having a good year: 'He has worked pretty hard this season and has progressed very well over the year.

'It probably wasn't a specific target but it was always there in the back of his mind he might get selected. He has been competing at national level competitions for a couple of years but this will be the first time he has represented GB.'

As well as competing in regional and national events, Will has taken part in the wheelchair sections of the London Marathon and Great North Run.