Salford climber Tom Bonnert is looking to give himself an early birthday present later this month as he limbers up for the British Universities & Colleges Sport Gatorade Nationals.
The Salford University student is eager to get to grips with the BUCS Gatorade Nationals and, with his birthday right around the corner, Bonnert is hoping to give himself the best present of all – a gold medal.
It is the 19-year-old’s first year competing as a senior, but he isn’t fazed by his more experienced foes and believes he can scramble to victory when the championships kick-off at Sheffield’s Climbing Works on February 21.
“It’s my birthday a few days after BUCS so it’ll be a nice present to myself if I can go there and win,” he said.
“I’m in good shape for the championships but I’ll probably go out after them for my birthday and hopefully it’ll be to celebrate a win as well.”
Bonnert’s most recent competitive placing has given him a confidence boost ahead of the Nationals – a performance he hopes he can build upon in Sheffield next week.
“I’ve recently finished third at a competition at Manchester Climbing Centre and then 20th in a national competition which were really positive results,” he said.
“Hopefully I can go to BUCS and win because those results gave me some confidence climbing at a senior level.
“I competed there in 2011 and 2012 and did quite well so I know what it is like and I’ve got that confidence that comes with a bit of experience.”
The acoustic engineering student has recently transitioned from lead climbing to bouldering – a change in landscape that he will need to adapt to quickly.
“The British Bouldering Championships are my main target and BUCS will give me a chance to hone my skills a little bit more and hopefully get some winning experience,” he said.
“In terms of competing it’s a little bit different and I’m adapting do a discipline that isn’t my natural one.”
He has also been battling a tendon injury to his finger which could provide a setback as he strives to showcase his abilities.
“The injury in my finger means I’ve had to alter my training slightly but, to be honest, it has just meant that I’ve had to switch to a different grip which is a weaker one,” said Bonnert.
“So in some ways if I can improve that grip then it is actually better because when you switch back it is easier than before.”
But despite the apparent challenges, Bonnert feels that he will be as strong as ever heading into the competition.
He said: “The British Bouldering Championships are my main target and BUCS will give me a chance to hone my skills a little bit more and hopefully get some winning experience.”
Gatorade is the exclusive nutrition and hydration partner to British Universities & Colleges Sports and headline sponsor of the BUCS Gatorade Nationals.
BUCS and Gatorade work together to educate student athletes on the importance of sports nutrition and hydration – visit:www.bucs.org.uk/gatorade
Picture courtesy of Max-Design via Flickr, with thanks.
