A Liverpool Hope University lecturer will represent Great Britain at the World Dragon Boat Racing Championships this summer.
Dr Niamh Malone, Associate Professor in Drama and Theatre Studies, has been named in the Senior A (Over 40s) team for the 16th edition of the tournament, which takes place in Pattaya, Thailand in August.
Dr Malone is a member of the Amathus Dragon Boat Club, who are based at Liverpool Water Sports Centre in Queens Dock.
The 44-year-old began training with Team GB after winning the 2000m at the National Championships in September and progressed through a multi-stage trial to win her place in the 21-person world championship squad.
Dr Malone said: “I’m extremely proud and amazed to have been selected. The selection process was gruelling and just to get through the trials was a success in itself.
“I have been training with Team GB since November. We met monthly for intensive weekends of training where you were assessed on your fitness, strength and technique and, if successful, you got through to the next stage.
“The final trial took place in mid-March. There were gym tests and individual and team boat trials and you had to reach a certain level in each category to be selected.
“Dragon boat racing is a fantastic sport and I can’t wait for the championships to start. I’m nervous but also excited and just want to be on the starting line now.”
Similar to rowing, dragon boat racing sees teams of 10 or 20 paddlers compete to complete a defined distance in the shortest possible time.
Paddlers sit side-by-side in twos and use a single-bladed paddle. Each boat has a drummer and a steerer, with everybody in the boat paddling to the rhythm of the drum.
Republic of Ireland-born Dr Malone is a former rower having competed for many years in a four-woman crew at New Ross Boat Club in County Wexford.
Having qualified for Team GB by virtue of living in Liverpool for more than three years, she now faces an intense training schedule as she prepares to test herself on the world stage, but has been aided by the expertise of colleagues at the University.
Dr Malone added: “My training schedule has really intensified since being selected. I do five, two-hour sessions on the water each week, alongside five gym sessions and I meet up with the Team GB squad twice a month.
“I am very fortunate to be coached by the best coach in the UK, Amathus’ Dave Bangs, whose knowledge and patience has helped me reach my full potential as a paddler.
“The sports staff at Hope have been incredibly helpful, too. Michelle Gilmurray has been brilliant in guiding and inspiring me in all my gym training and Ben Read has been on hand whenever I have needed help in there.
“Dr Pete Angell, a senior lecturer in sport and exercise science, has designed a personal training programme for me as well, so I feel very lucky to have such a helpful team behind me.”