A Plymouth teenager has won four Gold Medals in an international ice skating competition.
Bradley Oliver, who is 17, won the medals at the International Inclusive Championships for 2020 in men’s free skate and free dance. The results were announced by ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean when they appeared together on Zoom for the recent presentation ceremony.
Bradley felt honoured watching his video footage knowing Jayne and Chris were watching his performance too. They both congratulated Bradley on his skating and achievements.
Fellow skating competitors worldwide and their families, together with inclusive skating coaches, judges and volunteers gathered for the presentation following the championships held virtually with 40 entries judged across the different categories. Everyone cheered when they realised Torvill and Dean were making a surprise appearance.
Bradley was also ranked first in the Inclusive Paralympic International Championships for men’s free dance and men’s free skating.
In a closely fought competition each entrant had to be recorded on video independently within strict guidelines, and with qualified witnesses present. Entries were received worldwide and judged by an independent panel of four.
Bradley, who only started skating three years ago, said he was amazed at how well he did. He first started competing in Inclusive Paralympic Competitions in September 2019, taking free dance up in February 2020, just before the first lockdown.
Bradley was lucky last year to compete face to face as well as virtually. He greatly misses training at the Plymouth Pavilions Ice Rink at moment.
Bradley was born with many chronic health conditions, suffers severe pain and faces many challenges every day.
Unlike most of his competitors, Bradley cannot practice as much to master his routines as he has to pace and limit how much activity he does every day. With the excellent help and support of his medical team and Bradley’s determination, he is now a true ice skate king.
With Plymouth Pavilions closed, Bradley was lucky enough to get some training in at the winter ice rink at the Eden Project between the lockdowns. The next nearest permanent rink for Elite Sportspeople is nearly three hours’ drive each way, so 2021 training looks to continue via Zoom.
Bradley has off-ice blades attached to his boots to train locally in a car park or the village hall when this is permitted again to help aid fitness and keep his skills up.
Bradley’s mum, Katrina, said:
“Bradley can’t wait to get back to skating on ice. He hopes he will be able to train locally and compete face to face again very, very soon. With a training camps abroad planned for later this year, he continues to look forward!”
