Zoe Newson looks to share more winning joys with son

Great Britain's Zoe Newson was not having the best of days, but that was when the home crowd support lifted her spirits at the World Para Powerlifting World Cup in Machester, that concluded on 23 February.

Newson was the first of four gold medallists to give the home fans plenty to celebrate     She managed to win the women's up to 41kg ahead of Ukrainian Kseniia Tokar, thanks to her last lift of 88kg.

Her ultimate attempt for goldtriggered wild celebrations in the stands.

“I think I was more nervous than my fans,“ the 27-year old two-time Paralympic bronze medallist said. “It was not my best performance in Manchester and I am a little disappointed because of that, but I managed to win it in my last try.“

Particular people in the crowd gave her extra strength on her way to an important win in the second World Cup of the season. 

“It was really special to perform in front of so many familiar faces. There was my family, lots of close friends and fans and I really appreciate their support in every event. They make me feel stronger in my performances on the stage.

Only one special face was missing in the Manchester venue – her 1-year-old son Duncan. 

Once Newson became pregnant, she thought it was curtains as far as powerlifting was concerned. But, six months after Duncan was born, she was back     in the squad for the 2019 World Championship in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. And although her son was not in Manchester,  Newson used to take him around with her for competitions. 

“When I am in the backstage, thinking of him helps me a lot. There was a competition where Duncan was in the audience and after my second lift I saw him and it sort of helped me a lot to calm down and finish the competition pushing even harder,“ said Newson.

“He is there smiling and it just makes you feel great because of it. I can't wait to come home to him after the competition. It is also something that makes me feel really happy.“

This time, she will be come home to her son Duncan and partner Dan with a gold medal from Manchesterbut it is the Tokyo 2020 Games that she has set her sights on.

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics would be Newson's third Games; she won bronze medal in London (up to 40kg) and Rio de Janeiro (up to 45kg). She won gold at the 2018 European Championship gold and Commonwealth bronze in the same year.

“I don't really know what Tokyo will bring for me. I will give my best in preparation for the Paralympics and also in the competition, but just giving my best would really make me happy and fulfilled.“