Special Olympics GB athlete Tessa Lightowler has recently returned from competing at the Open European Athletics Championships for athletes with Down Syndrome in Prague, Czech Republic—just three years after throwing her first ever shot put!
Tessa is part of the Bradford Keighley & Skipton Disability Athletics Club and has been involved in the Special Olympics GB movement since 2016, having previously competed in swimming at the National Summer Games in Sheffield in 2017. However, her journey into shot put—and athletics more broadly—was somewhat unconventional.
“She used to watch her brother Dylan train and compete with the club,” says her mum, Val Lightowler, who is also the club’s assistant coach and a long-standing volunteer within the Special Olympics GB movement.
“She came along to a club night and thought she could do better than him—so she gave it a go!”
That first throw revealed a natural talent, immediately spotted by club Head Coach and Special Olympics GB National Sports Advisor for Athletics, Janet-Alison Arkwright.
“Tessa’s journey in shot put has been amazing—on and off the track,” said Janet.
I remember seeing her first throw and thinking: she could really go places. She started attending our weekly sessions at the Carlton Academy athletics track and soon began competing at regional and national competitions. But none of us expected her rise to European competition to happen so quickly.
Her breakthrough came during the Indoor Winter Series in Manchester, where she exceeded expectations.
“She was used to throwing a 4kg shot in Special Olympics events, but for Prague the requirement was 3kg,” Janet explained.
“I asked the officials if she could do a recorded throw with the 3kg and she sailed right past the qualifying distance of 4.22m—recording a throw of 4.40m!”
From there, the club and local community rallied together to help raise funds so that Tessa could compete in Prague alongside other athletes with Down syndrome from across Europe.
“We had an amazing response when we started fundraising,” said Val.
“There were so many online donations. The Big Soup Theatre Company, which Tessa attends, raised over £500, there was a donation from a member of the local Lions club, and the local church also made a donation in recognition of the time that Tessa spends there helping as a volunteer. One of our athletes even waxed his chest to raise money for Tessa!”
A well-known figure in her community, Tessa works every Friday at Nando’s, where she began through an apprenticeship, and at The Chip N Ern pub in Bingley.
“She asked the landlord if she could have a job,” Val recalled.
“He said, ‘Can you pour a pint?’ She did—and it was perfect. He hired her on the spot!”
Tessa travelled to Prague with her mum, and Janet joined them for the competition.
“I’ve coached at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but the experience with Tessa in Prague is up there with the best,” said Janet.
“The event was run to Olympic standards but included all the adaptations needed for athletes with Down syndrome. From the opening ceremony in Old Town Square to the track experience—it was phenomenal.”
“We’re incredibly proud of Tessa. The conditions were tough—the hottest locals could remember—so for her to compete at that level, so early in her development, is fantastic.”
Tessa’s sporting life is as varied as it is full. Alongside athletics, she has previously won medals in swimming, she plays football, dances regularly, and manages two part-time jobs.
“She’s doing something nearly every day,” said Val.
“It’s made such a difference to her confidence and independence. Sport really brings out her amazing personality.”
“We’ve always believed in giving our children opportunities to find what they love. Tessa found hers through sport—and it’s changed her life.”
So what’s next?
“It was a tough first competition, but qualifying for this event was ahead of schedule,” said Janet.
“She’s already been invited to the 2026 World Championships for athletes with Down syndrome in Sofia, Bulgaria.
“And who knows? With her talent and determination, maybe the Special Olympics World Games in Chile in 2027? But let’s enjoy this remarkable journey for now and see what happens.”