Never-to-Old, From "Cripple" to World Champion

Columbia, MO, September 05, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Never-Too-Old – From "Cripple" to World Champion

Seven years ago, doctors told Kate Walker she would have difficulty walking due to severe pain from osteoarthritis, exacerbated by years of dance training.
A sedentary life didn't sit well with Kate, so she turned to powerlifting after an inspiring training session with Tom LaFontaine, Clinical Exercise Physiologist and former Olympic Lifter, "Powerlifting provided a way to strengthen my body and soul. I entered my first Show-Me State Games in 2006 and I've not looked back since." In addition to her 4 world records, Walker was named a "Faces in the Crowd" in the September 5, 2011 issue of Sports Illustrated." as well as the January, 2012 edition of Arthritis Today.

Ms. Walker has won state, national and international records each year. She set raw records in her age and weight group for American Drug Free Powerlifting Federation * and USA Powerlifting* . In November 2010, she journeyed to the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) world championships in Castleblayney, Ireland where her victory made headlines not only in her 60-year-old age group, but in her weight group also, leading to her selection as the Gladys Stankowski Sportswoman of the Year at the 14th annual WIN luncheon at Columbia College. In June 2011 Kate journeyed to WDFPF world championships in Muskegon, Wisconsin and in June 2012 Autun, France, where she made world records in her 60-year-old age group. Currently Kate holds 4 world records and in August was awarded Female Athlete of the Year by the Missouri Show Me Games, chosen out of over 29,000 athletes and 3rd in the nation in the National Congress State Games. To date, Kate has over 10,000 hits in the Nationally Syndicated Radio Show, Growing Bolder.

According to Walker, "Powerlifting elevates and inspires one in mind, body and spirit. It stops the negative blocks that can keep one from living up to their true potential."

Questions Walker can discuss with audiences include:
-- How does a 63-year-old woman with osteoarthritis in her knees win 4 World Powerlifting records?
-- Why did a dancer who could no longer dance, and barely walk, chose powerlifting?
--How does training from dance transfer to powerlifting?
-- How did powerlifting help ailing knees?
-- How did a 63-year-old with ailing knees be invited to lift on the USA Team for four World Championships?
-- How do you train to be a world class athlete at 63?
-- Is the training schedule different for 'aging' athletes?
-How did a 63-year old women inspire 13 other women to compete for the first time in the Missouri Show Me Games?

Born in New York, Kate Walker grew up near Atlanta. She earned undergraduate degrees in dance and psychology from Stephens College followed by a master's degree in social work from the University of Missouri. Walker has been employed at Missouri University Campus Facilities for the past 15 years, serving as training coordinator. For more information about Kate Walker visit www.KateWalkerWorldChampion.com or Facebook Kate Walker World Champion Powerlifter, Growingbolder.com/media/sports/.../kate-walker-758466.html .

Contact: Kate Walker, Integrallife1976@yahoo.com, 573-289-9796
Press2012

List of Medals and Awards

International Records:
"At the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) Singles Event Competition in Autun, France, June 2012, I won gold medals in the bench press and deadlift and set a world record in my bench press in my age group.
At the World Drug Free Powerlifting Federation (WDFPF) Singles Event Competition in Muskegon Michigan, June 2011, I won gold medals each day and set world records each day in my age group.
At the WDFPF World Powerlifting Championship Competition in Castleblaney, Ireland November 13th and 14th, 2010, I won a gold medal in my age and weight class."

Competitions Won:
"I currently hold several powerlifting records at the state and national level and one world record in the American Powerlifting Association (APA).
9/10/2011 USAPL Raw Retro Meet Squat 82.5 Kilos, Bench 47.5 Kilos, Deadlift 115 Kilos, Total 245 Kilos.
6/2010 I set Missouri and American records in the APFDF (American Drug Free Powerlifting Federation) in my age and weight class, and won 1st place in the Masters Division. (June, 2010).
3/2010 I set raw American records for the USA Powerlifting Federation in my age and weight group.
10/2009 I set world records in the APA (American Powerlifting Association) National Championships in my age and weight class.
Since 2008 I have annually set Missouri powerlifting records in my age and weight class.
2009 I won women’s championship overall Bench Press in the Mizzou Push Pull.
2008 I won the best female lifter in the ADFPA 2008 meet held in Mexico, Missouri."

Special Awards
"I won the WIN for Columbia Gladys Stankowski Sportswoman of the Year for 2011.
I won the best overall female athlete in the 2012 Missouri Show Me Games, chosen from over 29,000 female athletes. I also rank 3rd in the 2012 National Congress of State Games as the overall female athlete out of 31 states."
Publications:
Sports Illustrated September 5, 2011 NFL Edition
Arthritis Today, January 12, 2012
Radio:, Growingbolder.com/media/sports/.../kate-walker-758466.html .