Buckie lad Kristian races to magnificent medal haul
A TRIP to Birmingham has landed a young Buckie lad an impressive medal haul.
Kristian Barrett (11) headed south for the National Dwarf Games, hosted by the Dwarf Sports Association (DSA) and came back up the road with no fewer than five medals under his belt.
The Cluny Primary pupil excelled in the pool, taking gold in the 25m relay open, silver in both the 50m freestyle u-14 and 100m individual medley u-14 and a bronze in the 25m breastroke. His versatility shone through when he claimed a silver medal in the 600m cycling.
He also competed in track and field and javelin at the games. Although Kristian was keen to take part in the basketball contest - a sport that netted him a silver last year at the World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany where he also won a gold in the 25m freestyle swimming - but it clashed with the cycling, which he was keen to try.
Proud mum Nicole said: “Kristian’s very pleased with himself, before he went he wasn’t sure how he’d do so he’s very happy with five medals.
“He was just exhausted after he’d finished competing in the swimming events but he’s always been a good swimmer.
“Kristian did so well especially as he’s moved up to the under-14 where he’s basically competing against teenagers. He had loads of fun, which is the main aim.
“He didn’t go down to Birmingham with any medal targets in mind, it was a case of turn up and see what happens. We had a discussion before we went about what events he wanted to do.”
While winning medals is never a bad thing, it is not the sole reason Kristian took part.
Nicole explained: “The games are really a twofold event.
“There’s obviously the sport aspect to it and it’s great that there’s a level playing field where Kristian is up against people who have the same barriers to overcome as he does.
“However, there’s a strong social aspect to it, too. You meet people from all over the UK, it brings people together. There’s social events like the gala dinner and disco.
“Kristian just enjoys it so much and while he likes to get medals it’s the fun he enjoys. For example, at the World Games last year he was in a race but I couldn’t see where he was placed. He came running over with this huge smile on his face saying ‘I came second…second last!’.”
Kristian does not follow a training programme as such, his performances at the games being a spin-off of his love of swimming and the fact he regularly cycles to school.
The irrepressible youngster is already looking forward to the National Dwarf Games. Longer term, his target is the 2027 World Dwarf Games which will see him head Down Under to Australia.
Nicole added that while DSA Scotland had taken down their JustGiving fundraising page the organisation was nevertheless raising money to help fund Team GB’s trip to the World Games.
