Friday, June 22, 2012
9:00 AM
David Bolarinwa might have claimed yet another national junior title last week, but it’s the British seniors he’s got firmly in his sights this weekend as he goes in search of an Olympic berth.
The 18-year-old took his third consecutive 100metres title at the England under-20 Championships in Bedford on Saturday – claiming victory in 10.40 seconds.
His outing in Bedford was a break from this season’s norm as the Newham & Essex Beagle raced against his peers for the first time.
He now heads to the Aviva 2012 Trials in Birmingham and, despite his relative rookies status, qualifying for 2012 is far from a pipe dream.
Over 200m Bolarinwa has clocked a time just 14 hundredths of a second outside the Olympic A standard for London 2012.
“It looks like my best bet is to go for the 200m because I am only just outside the qualifying time for that – 20.5 and I’m running 20.6,” said Bolarinwa. “When I was 16 I was running with seniors – I’ve been running with the big boys for a long time. I haven’t run with my age-group all year – Bedford was my first run with juniors. I know the top British 200m runners like Marlon Devonish and Christian Malcolm.
“It’s helped getting to know those guys. It’s still going to be a tough day, I’m going to be really nervous – it comes with the territory though.
“If you want to be a sprinter you’ve just got to grit your teeth and do it, and when you cross the line, whatever happens, happens.”
Regardless of his form in Birmingham, Bolarinwa’s Bedford brilliance booked him a trip to Barcelona this summer for the World Junior Championships.
And, with that in the bag, the 18-year-old is adamant he can be in the hunt for more international honours: “Now I’ve won the trials I’m happy to move on, get back into hard training and really do something at the World Juniors.”
Back the team and watch over 750 British best athletes at the Aviva 2012 Trials in Birmingham from June 22-24. For tickets visit www.uka.org.uk/aviva-series or call 08000 55 60 56.
Mark Pettini kept his cool to see Essex to their second LV= County Championship Division Two victory of the season by beating Glamorgan by five wickets with seven balls to spare at Cardiff.
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