DANIEL Steward is aiming to become one of the world’s best weight-lifters – despite having cerebral palsy.

Last week the 23-year-old, from Bicester, finished sixth in the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Games in India, his first senior competition.

And now Mr Steward, of Ashdene Road, is hoping to book a place in next year’s British squad for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

He took up the sport three years ago and believes it has helped him become physically strong enough to ditch the wheelchair and use crutches instead.

The BT engineer, who works in Cowley, said: “It was an amazing experience in India, and has given me the confidence to press on with the sport.

“It was my first senior competition since I moved up from junior level and I was really pleased with how it went.

“The event gave me an insight into what I need to be aiming at, and to finish sixth was a real bonus for me.

“It also helped me acclimatise to the country ahead of the Commonwealth Games.”

Mr Steward, a former Bicester Community College pupil, suffers from lack of balance and reduced strength in his legs because of the condition.

He competes by bench-pressing weights of up to 100kg, his current personal best.

He said: “Working on my upper body strength, and training up to four or five days a week, has definitely improved my mobility.

“I also swim regularly, which helps both my body and cardiovascular fitness.

“I now walk on crutches and don’t use the wheelchair very often at all.

“I only take it with me when I’m unsure of the terrain or how much walking I may have to, like on holiday.

“Cerebral palsy can obviously hold you back sometimes, but I don’t let it interfere with my life. I still manage to do what I want to.”

Mr Steward lives with his parents but said he will be looking to find a place with fiancée Emma, 23, after they marry in April.

He said: “I really enjoy the work I do for BT.

“I get taxis there and back from my home every day.

“I have to balance work and training, because obviously the more seriously I want to take the sport, that harder I will have to work.

“But I’m really looking forward to working hard towards making the squad.”