Ben jumps for joy after landing JCB sponsorship

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Ben jumps for joy after landing JCB sponsorship
British champion Ben Williams jumps further than a fully extended boom on a 17-metre 540-170 Loadall. - Supplied photo

Dubai - Ben almost quit athletics in February after battling to come back from injury. Facing a severe financial crisis, he even trained members at his local gym to make ends meet.

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Published: Wed 18 Sep 2019, 8:20 PM

Last updated: Wed 18 Sep 2019, 10:24 PM

A British athlete who triple jumps further than the fully extended boom on one of JCB's biggest Loadalls has an extra spring in his step - after landing a sponsorship deal from digger maker JCB, a press release said.
Ben Williams became the British triple jump champion last month with a career-best jump of 17.27 metres - further than the reach of a fully extended boom on a 540-170 Lodall.
The stunning achievement has earned him a place in the Great Britain team for the World Athletics Championships later this month.
Now he is celebrating again after Rocester-based JCB offered him sponsorship for the next year as he prepares for his ultimate goal - the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
As well as providing some financial assistance, JCB will be offering Ben access to medical and gym facilities for the year.
"It has been a whirlwind few weeks and I've achieved more than anything I could have imagined," Ben said.
"To top that off with sponsorship from JCB is just the icing on the cake. I'm born and bred in Staffordshire and it makes me feel so proud that a local company wants to support me in this way."
Lord Bamford, JCB chairman, said: "Our family company is looking ahead to a very special year in 2020 when we celebrate our 75th anniversary. We want that to be a cause of celebration for the whole of Staffordshire and supporting one of the county's young athletes in the run up to next year's summer games in Tokyo seems a perfect way to start. We wish Ben the best of luck later this month in Doha and in all future competitions."
Ben almost quit athletics in February after battling to come back from injury. Facing a severe financial crisis, he even trained members at his local gym to make ends meet. In addition, he drove 100 miles every day to his triple jump training sessions at Loughborough University in Leicestershire.
In August, he moved to Loughborough and gave up his PT job - and hasn't looked back since.
"Not having to drive every day and being in an environment with other athletes focussing totally on my training has been the best thing that could have happened," Ben said.
"My form has improved massively and I've jumped further than any other British man since 2012 and there is plenty more left in the tank as I look ahead to competitions over the next year."
Galadari Equipment Solutions is the sole distributor of JCB construction equipment in the UAE.


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