Triathlon girl earns attention of Channel 4 presenter Clare Balding

A Lewisham teenager who took part in a triathlon for disabled people at an Olympic venue was given the full-on-pro treatment in front of TV cameras. 

Sports presenter Clare Balding interviewed her for a Channel 4 programme, and it capped a memorable day for the gutsy 13-year-old – and it was her idea.

Yasmina Bez took part in the Superhero Tri 2022, the biggest disability event of its kind in Europe, at Dorney Lake near Windsor in Berkshire, one of the London 2012 Olympic sites.

The event drew hundreds of disabled children from across the country to complete in a triathlon course of varying lengths. Participants could run, walk, skip or wheel their way to the finish line. 

Highlights will be screened on Sunday at 8.45am.

Yasmina told South London Press: “After I completed the event, I asked her if I could be interviewed and they started recording me. She was asking me questions about how I’d found the Triathlon. I wanted to spread awareness of my condition.”

Yasmina, of Phoebe’s Place, Catford, was diagnosed with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) when she was eight. It is a rare, inherited disease which causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems.

She has problems with her speech and uses a wheelchair most of the time, but her big love is horses.

She started riding at the age of 11, initially as part of her therapy to improve her movement and strength, and found that as well as loving the sport, she had a real talent for it.  

She currently rides with the Riding for the Disabled New Lodge centre in Bromley. She has already won a regional competition, is due to take part in a national competition.

Yasmina, who covered 10km in her walker, dressed as Superman, said: ‘It was my first time at the Superheroes Series and it was amazing.  

“It was the first time I got to run for over four years, and I felt free. I was so excited to run in the triathlon with my race runner and my family were all there to support me on the way.

“My favourite part was when I was halfway in and all my relatives were calling on FaceTime to support me. The hardest part was when I was close to the finish line and I was really tired and was in pain and I wanted to quit, but my mum kept pushing me until the end and I can’t thank her enough.  

“When I reached the finish, I felt so good.”

Mum Touria Hauokachi, 36, said: “We all really enjoyed the event and hope it will help us raise money for a horse for Yasmina. Like any teenaged girl, she wants to be as independent as possible and with movement difficulties, riding really helps her to achieve that.”

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope which helps families fundraise for children like Yasmina with healthcare needs. To contribute, please visit: www.treeofhope.org.uk/yasmina-bez/

Pictured top: Yasmina in her Superhero outfit is greeted by Clare Balding (Picture: Touria Hauokachi)