Dave Blackwell will be helping to write a new page in the history books when he takes part in the very first World Deaf Athletics Championships in September.

The 31-year-old was selected by DUKA (Deaf UK Athletics) to compete in the shot put in the tournament, to be held in Izmir, Turkey, after impressing at the European Indoor Athletics Championships in Genoa, Italy, in February.

Blackwell, who lives in Swanley, is also a top-powerlifter having won the British Unequipped Bench Press Championship by lifting 145kg in the 82.5kg category – his best lift is 150kg, at a body weight of 84.5kg, achieved in May’s South East Bench Press.

But it is the pioneer Championships in Turkey which is exciting him the most at present.

He said: “This is my second outing with DUKA but I don’t think it has sunk in yet that I have been given another brilliant opportunity.

“It’s going to be a brilliant experience and I am going to train hard and give it my best.”

He added: “It will be a lot bigger than the European event – so I can only do my best and enjoy it.”

Blackwell lost his hearing aged around seven for reasons unknown and although he has some hearing, he cannot control what he hears so it is a mixture of noise and confusion.

Even so, he experiences the same kind of buzz off weightlifting and competing as any able-bodied athlete and has goals beyond Turkey.

He said: “I love the atmosphere when I attend the competitions and to me the buzz is hitting my goals and targets.

“The Deaflympics is being held in Taipei in 2009 and I would very much hope to take part in that, I just have to train hard.”

And train hard he does with a regime of workouts from Monday to Friday either at home, at Rhino’s Gym in Gravesend or at the Dartford Harriers Track.

Amid all the excitement of selection Blackwell remains conscious of DUKA’s hard work in attracting deaf and hard of hearing athletes into its fold.

He said: “DUKA is always looking for deaf athletes to build the team – there are roughly 17 athletes in the team going to Turkey so any deaf people interested should check out the DUKA website.”

For more information on sport for the hard of hearing, visit www.deafukathletics.org.uk