By Tom Degun

June 16 - Zoe Newson (pictured), one of the brightest young powerlifters in the country who is tipped for success at the London 2012 Paralympics, will be competing at this year's International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting World Championships in Kuala Lumpur next month despite initially requesting not to be considered for selection.



The 17-year-old from Suffolk, who suffers with dwarfism, already boasts a large number of major titles in her collection, including both the International Powerlifting Championship and British Powerlifting Championship crowns.

Newson was also named "Best Newcomer" at the prestigious 2008 Wheelpower Sports Awards.

But, after initially rejecting the chance to compete at the World Championships in Malaysia, Newson, who is not part of the World Class Programme, changed her decision following the subsequent withdrawal of Jason Irving from the competition due to an injury he picked up.

British weightlifting’s world class performance manager Fiona Lothian told insideworldparasport: "At the stage when preliminary entries for the Great Britain team at the forthcoming IPC World Championships in Kuala Lumpur had to be made, Zoe Newson asked not to be considered for selection.

"However, following the subsequent withdrawal of Jason Irving from the Worlds due to injury, the selectors offered Zoe a place in the team and are pleased to report that she has accepted.

"Her personal coach has also been asked to travel with the team.

"Zoe put in an outstanding performance at the recent British Championships where she broke the European Junior record, benching 85kg in the 40kg body weight category."

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