Featured athlete: Lee Small, UK
It is an honor to present to you this wonderful extreme adaptive athlete, Lee Small from Wales. Lee lost his lower leg due to an accident when he was only 17 years old. Today Lee is not only a full time worker, a dad and an athlete, he is also an official Strongman promotor in the UK. This year he is hosting several events in addition to competing himself. Lee strives to make the adaptive strongman grow and thrive by connecting athletes, engaging in developing rules for the divisions and putting together competitions.
Lee Small was one of the first I Am Adaptive Compete Team, IAACT, athletes, this is what he wrote over a year ago when applying: “The Gym literally saved my life, after my work accident at 17 having my lower leg amputated was very difficult to adapt to but from the moment I stepped into the gym and learned to bench press, squat and deadlift I was hooked this was my release, my therapy. I knew this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, proving no matter what happens to us we can overcome, adapt and come out stronger the other side.
I have been an amputee for just over 12 years and I have spent 9 of these years lifting iron, I have adapted and developed my skills over these years and in 2015 I decided to put all my years of training to the test and I become the Worlds Strongest Adaptive man and then went on to win the Britain’s strongest adaptive Man 2015.
2015 was my year, I won within the British powerlifting federation, bench press champion, I then went onto win European bench press and European deadlift champion, I was invited out to compete in the World powerlifting union in Ireland, unfortunately due to funds I was not able to make it, but there is always next year!
I am now working towards a Level 3 Degree in personal training with the aim of training my own athletes to compete in competitions. My goal for next year, train others and help them get involved in the sport adaptive or not, helping others is a big thing for me seeing others achieve what they thought they couldn’t is so rewarding and knowing I helped along the way will be so fulfilling I love to see people succeed, I’m excited to be doing a job that I know I will love and thrive in.”
Lee is determined to make the most of his abilities, this extreme adaptive athlete is someone to look out for in future competitions. Together with Karen he will be competing in international events to represent the IAACT.