Daniel Steward has beaten the odds to take part in the weightlifting at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

The 24-year-old, from Bicester, points to a lift of 105kg at the British Championships in June 2010 as his highlight to date.

But his achievement in making the team is all the more remarkable as he has cerebral palsy – which causes him to suffer from lack of balance and reduced strength in his legs because of the condition.

An Oxford United season-ticket holder, Steward won bronze in the World Junior Games in 2008, before becoming European Junior champion a month later.

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.

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