Sarah Walker Takes to the International Stage

Sarah Walker Takes to the International Stage in Her Custom Nike Racing Shoe

Nike NZ proudly unveiled today the new Sarah Walker poggio cycling shoe. The company have teamed up with three-time world BMX champion Sarah Walker to produce this ‘Special Make Up’ shoe design. Italian made and specifically adapted for Sarah’s requirements.

Walker and Nike worked closely together on designing a prototype with a lightweight feel, rugged construction and sleek appearance that would enhance Walker’s performance and comfort while riding.

The shoes come at the perfect time as the Cambridge based BMX star launches into the latter half of 2012. With her toughest campaign of international competition ahead of her, she will be proudly representing New Zealand to take on the world. The importance of the journey ahead was the inspiration behind the creation of a unique, strong, racing shoe that would represent the NZ Fern and stylistically fit with her custom made bike and helmet.

“I wanted to have a kit that was simple, but stood out,” says Walker “for the shoe, I took the fern design that is used for all Kiwi athletes, and put my take on it. There wouldn't be another shoe like this in the world, it's unique to me.”

Walker showed a meteoric rise to the forefront of the New Zealand BMX competition at an early age. Starting to ride as a ten-year-old after growing bored of watching her younger brother racing and excelling as a competitive BMXer, Walker decided in February 1999 she no longer wanted to be a spectator and got on the track for the first time. She went on to win her first age grade National Championship less than 3 months later, and after that a decade of fierce competition ensued.

After a disappointing year in 2008, Walker’s determination and grit held strong as she bounced back in July 2009 to become the dual World Cham¬pion for Elite Women and Elite Women Cruiser, which she states as the high¬light of her career so far.

In 2012 a badly dislocated shoulder took her out of competition and training for a short time. Battling through her injury to get back on the bike was the most challenging moment in her racing career. Finding the confidence to push herself to the limit and become race fit again was a mental battle that took months as she overcame her fear of re-injury.

“Physically doing this again was just scary. But I have been pushing myself to the point where things are a little unstable, all the while just trying to get that strength back,” says Walker “The pain when my shoulder first went out, I never want to feel that again. The biggest thing was mentally regaining myself. To do the bigger jumps, it’s a bigger risk. But I’ve been pushing myself so that I’m prepared.”

Nike are thrilled to present the new signature range poggio cycling shoe and continue their affiliation with Sarah Walker in 2012 as she readies herself to compete again at the highest level. With her eye on world domination at a time where BMX continues to grow as a globally recognised and respected sport, we wish her the best of luck and know she will do us, and New Zealand, proud.

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