Powerlifter Natalie Blake set to compete in fifth Paralympic Games

Powerlifter Natalie Blake will head to Rio later this year to take part in her fifth Paralympic Games after an announcement at her training camp in Loughborough on Monday.

The 33-year-old from Newark is one of four British competitors who has been awarded a place in the powerlifting event following a strong qualifying period.

Her performances earlier in the year allowed her to automatically qualify for her preferred weight category of 55kg for the games.

She said she was proud of what she had achieved throughout her Paralympic career.

"It feels incredible how much I have achieved over the years and I'm pleased to be still here and competing strongly," she said.

"I'm now looking forward to my fifth games and I hope to get a new personal best and see where that takes me."

Blake was born with spina bifida, which affected the development of the vertebrae, and first competed at the Paralympics in Sydney 16 years ago.