TO HER rivals she is just another competitor, albeit a very good one.

When she tackles the ups and downs of the trial bike course she is indistinguishable from her fellow riders.

However, one thing marks Kathryn Wardle out from the rest - she is profoundly deaf.

But the 16-year-old from Ravensworth, near Richmond, has not let her impediment hold her back - she was the British Ladies National Champion in 2002 and has a string of other honours to her name.

Now her achievements have been recognised by the Motorcycle Industry Assocation who presented her with their Outstanding Achievement Award. The trophy was handed over at the Motorcycle and Scooter Show by none other than seven times trials champion Dougie Lampkin and British Superbike Champion John Reynolds.

The presentation was made at the Birmingham NEC and Jenny Luckman, MCI Youth Co-ordinator, said: "Kathryn is an inspiration to all young people. She has not allowed her deafness to prevent her from succeeding at a high level in a competitive field.

"I hope that other young people will be enthused by Kathryn's achievements and might even consider getting involved in motorcycling themselves."

Kathryn began riding at the age of three when she got behind the handlebars of a quad bike. By the age of nine she moved onto riding a Yamaha TX80 and before long she was pitting herself against the best.

The Darlington College of Technology student has competed in Europe as well as the UK and often lines up against her male counterparts. She has also been accepted as part of the Autocycle Union trials national squad.

A modest Kathryn said she was very pleased to have been nominated for the award.

"I can't really explain my feelings, but I do know it was an amazing sensation when I learned that I had been nominated by the ACU in recognition of success in trials and overcoming my hearing disability."

Kathryn's father Steven said he was very proud of what his daughter had achieved and explained how she conquered her inability to hear.

"Other people can hear the bike revving but she has to ride more by feel, " he said. "She is trained but it is something she has had to learn herself. She has to feel the engine through the vibrations. It is instinct really. She has to know how far to open the throttle to make the bike go."

Her mother Dorothy says the award meant a lot to the whole family.

"She has overcome acute hearing problems over the years, just the same as her brother, " she said. "She gives 101 per cent when competing and always appears to be quite fearless.

There is no second place when she competes at club, national or European level.

"Kathryn wants to win and is devastated if she does not hit the top step of the podium."

Published: 12/11/2004