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profiles Racing around the world The Splash
2 • nOV. 3, 2011
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Student athlete has sights set on 2012 Paralympic Games in London By Tammy Kimberley Splash staff writer
Earlier this year, while competing in the 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships in New Zealand, Amberlynn Weber wasn’t expected to make it to the finals in her races. Despite not being ranked in the 400 meters, she finished in sixth place and scored a personal best. It’s not the first time Weber has defied the odds. When she was 6 months old, she was diagnosed with a form of cancer that typically shuts down vital organs. In her case, the cancer attacked her spine, leaving her with limited use of her legs but with her life. Now Weber is among a group of elite wheelchair athletes in the world. Last summer, she was one of eight women selected internationally to compete in an 800-meter exhibition race at the ablebodied track and field world championships in Korea. And she is preparing for the Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, later this month, where she hopes to earn a time good enough to represent Team USA in the Paralympics next summer in London. The Splash recently met with Weber to hear more about her travels to compete as a para-athlete and her hopes to bring home the gold.
Q. A.
Submitted photos
Amberlynn Weber competed in a preworlds meet in Sydney, Australia, and the 2011 International Paralympic Committee world championship games in Christchurch, New Zealand in January. At the world championships, Weber came in sixth place in the 400 meters race.
How did you qualify for the PanAmerican games?
The team was selected by the U.S. Paralympic Committee. There are standards you have to meet based on percentages of how close you are to the world record. Q: What are you most looking forward to in this competition? A: The competition is Nov. 13-18, so we’ll be gone for around 10 days. I plan on medaling in all my races — that’s my goal. I’m hoping to get a standard to qualify for London. I really want to win a medal, preferably a gold. Q: This isn’t the first international competition you’ve participated in. Where all have you gone to race? A: There have been a lot more races this year. Just since January, I’ve been to the world races (New Zealand), nationals (Florida), the Boiling Point Wheelchair Track Classic (Canada), the Dogwood Track and Field Meet (Canada)
See RACING, page 16
Amberlynn weber Age 18
Family Parents, James Weber, Jamie Weber and Scott Henri; brother, Colton Weber
School Central Valley High School senior involved in track and DECA
Interests Racing, music, playing guitar
Favorite band Down with Webster
Quote on race chair “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.” — Steve Prefontaine