A single Mum-of-two is raising money to represent England at the Commonwealth Powerlifting & Bench Press Championships in Auckland, New Zealand.
Lenka Pilnikova, 38, from Eccles created a GoFundMe page to raise funds ahead of the championships taking place 28th November – 4th December.
Training at Eccles Barton Athletic Club, the Slovakian-born athlete now has only five weeks left to raise nearly £1,200 for flights, accommodation and insurance for the trip.
She said: “This competition means a lot. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to the Commonwealth games and represent England… I can’t even describe it.
“Its scary going to New Zealand it’s a huge ask financially, especially in these times. but I put myself into it and I’ve bought the flights tickets and there’s no going back now.”
After only competing in the sport for four years, Ms Pilnikova was selected for the world championships in South Africa earlier this year, was forced to pull out due to financial pressures. She followed: “Unfortunately everyone going to represent England is self-funded as there’s 95 of us. T-shirts and kit is funded but all the rest is on us.
“As a mum of two children I feel like its a big ask for me to go to South Africa. It was just too much pressure for a single mum.
“I pulled out of the world’s and I’m not doing that again to a team. It’s that responsibility.”
Training alongside her two-time British Champion in Olympic Powerlifting and Ex-British Gymnast Daughter, Tiffany (14), and fitness fanatic son, Theo (12), Pilnikova expressed how challenging balancing childcare and sports can be. She followed: “Its difficult juggling training and childcare. I couldn’t see it a few years ago but I can see how the kids are proud. I think I’m setting a good example to the kids, you can achieve anything if you put your heart and soul in it.”
Lenka transitioned into powerlifting after competing in karate for over 15 years and becoming European champion. After the birth of her children, Pilnikova decided to expand her athletic boundaries. She explained: “I needed a goal and dream in my life and someone spotted me in the gym and I thought ‘thats not for women’. I went to my first competition and won.
“There’s a few women powerlifters in Salford but I’m training on my own. As a mum I can’t go whenever I want, I need to fit it in. they’re a really nice community and really supportive.”
Lenka has received support from the local community, including that of her gym, who have placed banners around the site encouraging donations.
For more information on Lenka’s Championships, or to donate, visit her GoFundMe page.
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