Stretch for Success
by CHRIS BRADY
Teenage golf sensation Kiran Matharu is dedicating more time to improving her fitness and stamina ahead of her first season on the Women's European tour.
The eighteen-year-old rising star from Leeds is having physiotherapy from Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes' former coach Alison Rose and is also getting help from Leeds Rhino's rugby conditioning coach Neil Holmes.
Kiran told Asian Leader: "My golf is going really well at the moment from a technical point of view, so I'm now looking at other things which I might be able to work harder on."
Still the reigning English Amateur golf champion and the youngest player on the Women's European tour for 2007 after qualifying in December, Kiran is spending as much time as possible at Leeds Metropolitan University Sports Centre where she has been invited to benefit from the guidance of experienced coaches.
"Since I started coming here a few months ago I've already noticed an improvement in my golf, hitting the ball about ten yards further and I feel more solid."
However, Kiran admits that the physiotherapy work was a bit tough at first: "Some of the stretches we do were a bit bad, but I'm finding them easier now."
Alison Rose, who received special praise from Kelly Holmes after her gold medal in the Athens Olympics, said: "The stretches can be a little testing, but Kiran is doing very well – its all about finding areas in which she is strong and weak.
"By monitoring her we can identify and avoid potential injuries, and also develop a programme for her to follow to stay in top shape."
Head of Athletics at Leeds Metropolitan University, Neil Holmes, who has had the young golf prodigy working hard on rowing machines, treadmills and bike machines, added: "Kiran didn't like it much to start with, but now she's ringing me up asking when our next session is."
Kiran admitted: "I couldn't even do one press up when I started, but now I can do sets of ten, so I'm improving."
One problem for Kiran's fitness coaches is that she is constantly travelling the world, but the talented youngster has been given specific exercises and stretches to do every day and Neil expects positive results.
"We're preparing Kiran for what will hopefully be a long and successful career – we want to keep her injury free and have her in the best condition to compete.
"It's not about doing weights and getting bigger, its about fitness and stamina, both mentally and physically so Kiran can perform consistently at competitions."
Kiran was competing in the Indian Open at the time of Leader going to print - we'll let you know how she gets on.
ENDS
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