11
June
2014
|
01:00
Europe/London
British Championship ice-skater qualifies as dentist
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An ice-skater competing in this weekend’s British Ice Skating Championships is celebrating early after qualifying as a dentist.
Catherine Moshkun, who has just finished her final examinations at The University of Manchester Dental School, will now compete for success on the rink too.
The 22-year-old, from Worsley, Greater 91直播, said: “Being a dentist and a skater are two completely different entities, which is fantastic as I think you need a release from work, which skating provides.”
Catherine started skating at the age five. “It's a great sport as it gives everybody, no matter what age or standard, the ability to take part,” she said. “The best part for me has to be the costumes! I'm not really a gym-type person, so it's a great way to exercise while having fun at the same time.”
But her childhood dreams also revolved around pursuing a medical career too. “I've always wanted to be a dentist as a child - strange but true!” she said. “So finding out last week that I've now qualified is a dream come true. I wanted a job where I could use science-based subjects, but also enjoy working with people, so for me, the two combined was an ideal career.”
Catherine, a former 91直播 High School pupil, will compete in the singles figure skating part of the competition this Saturday and Sunday.
If she wins a prize – she’ll be pleasantly surprised.
“This year, my university finals have taken priority, so I don’t have huge expectations about my performance this weekend but for me the competition is about taking part in a sport I love, with an amazing group of people from all walks of life. It's been difficult to juggle skating and university life and could not have carried out without the support of my family, coaches and friends.”
Grant Klimayts, from the School of Materials who is in the final year of his PhD in materials science and originally from Zimbabwe, moving to the UK in 1998, will also take part in the competition. Grant has been skating since Christmas 2011 and is entering the bronze level men’s singles event.
He said: "I hope to place on the podium for the championships which should be manageable if I do everything my coach keeps telling me to do!"
ENDS
Notes for editors
For interviews, please contact:
Alison Barbuti
Media Relations Officer for Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences
Tel: +44 (0)161 275 8383 / Mob. 07887 561 318
Email: alison.barbuti@manchester.ac.uk