Busy year ahead for wheelchair racer Brown
A busy year for Kings County wheelchair racer Ben Brown will kick off this week.
Brown left Feb. 18 for Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where competition begins Feb. 22 at the Fazaa International Athletics Meet. The event is an International Paralympics Committee (IPC) competition
Brown said he likes IPC meets “because they’re so super organized. Everything is covered,” including transportation to and from the venue.
At the Dubai meet, Brown will be competing against wheelchair athletes from Kazakhstan, Kuwait, France, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.
“It’s a high-profile meet, and it’s also right next door to Qatar, where the world championships will be held in October.”
While there, Brown will also compete at the Sharjah International Open Athletics Meet, as one of more than 350 athletes registered.
Setting goals
Brown is trying to qualify for worlds and the Para Pan-American championships in Toronto in August.
“I’m pushing almost a second faster than required (to qualify for Para PanAms) in the 100-metres,” he said. “Qualifying for the 400 will likely be pretty stiff. Honestly, if I make it, great. If I don’t, I’ll have given it my best shot.”
In the 100-metres, Brown is 0.02 seconds off the B standard, and 0.52 seconds off the A standard. In the 200-metres, he is 0.05 off the A standard.
“I’m right there,” he said. “It’s a matter now of putting in the best races I can.”
In addition to Dubai, Brown will be training in Florida in March. “I’m trying out for the 4X400 relay team. I’m looking to be an alternate for the 2015 season, including the Para Pan-Ams. I’d be happy with that. I know I have to improve my speed in the 400 to be part of the final four.”
Right now, he said, Canada is one of the top countries in the world in the 4X400.
“I know the competition is stiff for these spots, but it gives me something to shoot for,” he added.
Brown has set himself a goal of 52 seconds for the 400 metres.
“To think about making the (national) team, I’ll need to do 51 seconds or faster,” he said.
He also hopes to “crack the top-10 in the world in the 100.” He is currently 0.3 seconds off the top-10 in the 100 and 0.8 seconds off the top-10 in the 200.
“I know the top-10 is attainable in the 200,” he said, “with one or two better strokes than I’m doing now.”
The 100, 200 and 400-metres are all world championship events. The 200, Brown pointed out, “is not a Para Pan-Am or Paralympic event, only worlds.”
Brown found out in late December his national development card was renewed for a second year, along with the guaran- teed national funding that goes with it.
“It’s made a big difference for me,” he said, “knowing I can train and live at the same time.”
He also has a lot of local community support and sponsorship.
“It’s great to know the local community is behind me. It allows me to focus on my competition and training.”
Busy few months
After returning from Dubai, Brown is off to Florida for training. He will train and compete locally until April, then heads to the Desert Challenge in Arizona for the second time. After a short time at home, he leaves May 25 to take part in a Swiss racing series he also did last year.
Closer to home, he plans to attend the Aileen Meagher Classic in Halifax prior to the nationals and Para Pan-Am trials in Edmonton in early July.
“That’s when I’ll find out if I make it to the Para Pan-Ams,” he said.
Providing he achieves the standards, the world championships are in October in Doha, Qatar.
Brown’s goal is still to qualify for the 2016 Paralympics in Brazil.
“I’m taking it one step at a time. I’ll have to make it to either Para Pan-Ams or worlds, or both, to have a chance. If I don’t get those, my chances of making it to Rio are slim.”
He is focusing on fitness and endurance, putting in “between 100-120 kilometres a week.” He is also attending kettlebell classes in Berwick with Shawn and Allison Ross, “which is helping me a lot with my shoulder strength and range of motion.”
He is optimistic of qualifying for Para Pan-Ams or worlds, and hopefully both.
“I’m feeling the best I’ve felt, fitnesswise, since last July. I’ve hit 42.6 km/hr once, and I’m pushing 40 km/hr regularly.”
Coach feeling positive
Ueli Albert of Canadian Sport Centre Atlantic in Halifax ( formerly at Acadia) is Brown’s Para-athletics coach.
“(Brown) has been consistent in his improvement. There may be better athletes, but no one works harder than Ben,” Albert said.
“He’s looking to put his name on the map internationally. He’s going to be busy if he qualifies for everything we’re looking for him to.”
The Dubai trip is a chance for us to see where he is, Albert added.
“He’s not peaking yet. We’re looking to get the Para Pan-Am standards out of the way. They’re definitely within reach. He’s pushing the standards already in the 100 and 400.”
Brown is still on track for Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“It’s a year and a half away. It he’s continues the way he has and stays healthy, he has a good chance of qualifying. He’ll need to improve over the summer,” Albert said.
“If he makes it to the worlds, it’ll be a great stepping stone for him. If he doesn’t, it will be harder (to qualify), but his chances are still good.”