Event: 100 metres, 200 metres, long jump
DOB: 14/11/91
Age: 19
As well as athletics you used to play American football?
Yes, I used to play about two years ago. I started playing then I had a bit of a back injury and I was doing rehab for that and thought, ‘I’ll just stick to athletics for the moment’ and I never got back into it.
How was 2010 for you?
2010 was good. I ran the time I aimed to. I would have been happier if I had got a better time than I did but I was happy with being ranked fifth in the world for the 200m. I was quite disappointed with how I did at the World Junior Championships as I ended up getting an illness and not running how I wanted to run, but all in all I’d say it was a good season.
What are you hoping to achieve this year?
My goal would be European under 23 gold in the 200m – any medal would be nice but the one I really want to get obviously is gold – and to progress on the time that I did in 2010 as well.
Your parents train you – how does that work for you?
It’s good. It’s the closest relationship you can have – athlete and coach – and sometimes you can’t get away from it but I’m fine with it. Two of my brothers do athletics as well so it runs in our blood to do it.
Does it put extra pressure on you?
No, I feel less pressure because I feel they’re going to support me whatever happens – whether I do well or badly they’ll be fine with it, whereas other coaches might be more, ‘You didn’t perform’ and not have any sympathy for you.
Although it’s a family environment are you still able to maintain focus?
I try and make sure I have downtime from athletics and when I do have to be focused I can do that as well.
When you have downtime what do you do?
Hang around with my friends, go out; that’s about it.
What does it mean to you to be a SPAR star?
It means a lot because we’ve been chosen as the top sprinters and it’s good to be put in a group like that and also to get help as well. I’m really excited to be part of it. I’m quite enjoying the £250 vouchers for food because being a family of four boys – three of them being athletes and one ex athlete who still eats like he’s an athlete – it’ll come in helpful. Also the trip to Paris [to see the European Indoor Championships] will be good experience – I’ve only ever been to one major championship before.
What kind of tips are you hoping to pick up there?
Just the atmosphere of the whole championships and watching how the seniors go about the championships.
Which foods do you like to eat for a treat?
I still quite like sweets – I always used to have sweets when I was younger after school. I’d say that’s my weakness. I like pic n’ mix – the big strawberry jellies and I quite like the white chocolate jazzies as well. We live right by a shop but I’ve cut down a bit now as I’m getting older! I only have them about once a month now. I love cereal as well – I usually mix Coco Pops and Shreddies together and then put raisins on top to make it a bit healthier – my PB is eight bowls in a day!
How long have you been serious about athletics?
I would say since I was under 13. I’ve been going down the track since I was little but I used to play football. I only really started taking it seriously when I hit the under-13 age group and could compete properly. I’ve actually been competing against Deji [Tobais] since we were both under 13s – we’ve both known each other and done the 100m, 200m and long jump against each other.
What is it like to compete against each other when, ultimately, in international competitions, you need to work together as a team?
It’s been really good progressing with him. He was a little bit better than me at under-13 and under-15 because I was quite a small kid, but at under-17 he was the quickest 100m runner and I was the quickest 200m runner, and then at under-20 he was the quickest 100m runner and I was the quickest 200m runner.
Whose career path would you most like to equal?
Usain Bolt’s would be nice but it would be quite hard to emulate that!