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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMrs Clarke said: \u201cI got placed in a Commonwealth team to go to New Zealand last Christmas but it would have meant I would have to drop a weight category so it would have messed my season up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo the decision was made not to go out to New Zealand and even though I was absolutely gutted, it was a good job not as we\u2019ve won everything since\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although annoyed to miss out on her first chance of international competition, when South Africa first was offered to Mrs Clarke, she initially decided not to go. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While always an honour to be chosen, the cost of competing can sometimes outweigh the opportunity with athletes needing to pay for kits, accommodation, flights and much else which can often carry a heavy price. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mrs Clarke said: \u201cMy first thought was \u2018I can\u2019t afford to go to South Africa\u2019 and I was ok with that but as soon as Violet got her place, I realised that had to happen. She has such a good chance at a gold medal and she might not get this chance again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In response, both Violet and Kate are trying to save every penny they can before they leave in mid-May with Kate currently working two jobs, one of which is helping her sister pot plants at a local plant nursery while Violet works a Sunday job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Realising the sheer cost to meet their dreams, the two decided to create a crowdfunder, hoping that people would be kind enough to help them. Currently sitting at over halfway, the two couldn\u2019t be more thankful to those who have already donated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs Clarke said: \u201cI\u2019m overwhelmed with some of the money that people have been putting in, some of Violet\u2019s friends have helped with \u00a310 here and there and I\u2019m so grateful because to them that’s a lot of money. We\u2019re not there yet but hopefully people will keep chipping in and we\u2019re looking for funding from elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pair are trying to get into the gym as much as possible to prepare, training four out of five days a week while also visiting physios and chiropractors to make sure they are physically and mentally to compete, needing to make weight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, even though South Africa is the main goal right now, several other competitions are needed to be completed before then with Violet competing in the British Junior Championships this weekend in Solihull. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even after South Africa, Mrs Clarke is preparing for what\u2019s coming next with competitions in France, Belfast, Budapest and Mongolia all looming in the near future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs Clarke said: \u201cThe idea is I\u2019ll be going to Mongolia and there\u2019s a chance Violet at the same time will be going to Budapest so it\u2019s tricky as we\u2019re going to have to see if she can go without me, if not we will have to decide who\u2019s priority which is likely to Violet.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n With high hopes for both athlete\u2019s careers, Violet and Kate are hopeful to walk away with medals, with conversation on gold for Violet and a tougher job for Kate who looks to have to compete against Japanese weightlifter Nishikawa Akiko who is currently ranked first for the under 52kg Masters One Bench. <\/p>\n\n\n\n None of this takes away for both of them how special it is to be competing abroad in a dream which has been long standing for Kate who will undoubtedly give everything to be in the competition and ensure Violet has everything she needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mrs Clarke said: \u201cFor me and Violet this is everything, and I want to be able to give my daughter this opportunity. We\u2019re not from an affluent family, we live on a council estate but she is really talented and the money isn\u2019t there to support kids in sport and it\u2019s really sad it\u2019s such a barrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cViolet deserves the opportunity and to show everyone what she can do so to everyone who donated, as a mum, I\u2019m hugely grateful, my lifting is just a side thing in comparison to being able to give her this chance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/sheffieldwire.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/IMG_20230307_202154_090-1024x1024.webp\")
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