Trackspeed1 superkid, David Bolarinwa, is now the best all-round under-17 sprinter of all time! An amazing weekend saw him take the Midlands by storm, clinching both the 60m and 200m national indoor titles in sensational style, in Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.
He clocked a lifetime best 6.81s in the 60m final on Saturday (27th) to become the third fastest of all time, and capped that with a 21.59s 200m in Sunday (28th) which is also the third fastest ever Briton. It was within only a few hundredths of British International Tim Benjamen's 200m record mark set over ten years ago. But with different names ahead of him in each event, his combined efforts make him an all-time number one!
Its all systems go now for the 16-year-old Cambridge Harrier, and his sights will now be focussed on Moscow in May for the European Youth Olympics, after which it is hopefully a ticket to Singapore for the World Youth Olympics.
"This was a fantastic weekend's work," said an absolutely delighted coach, John Powell. "David is learning so much all the time, and improved even during this weekend.
"The focus in the summer now looks as if it will be the European Youth Olympics in Moscow in May. They act as trials for a European team in the World Youth Olympics in Singapore in August. Quite frankly, the real dilemma is what event to do - or to double up 100/200m if we are allowed to. The way this weekend has gone - and the indications in training - would suggest David could be a real cntender for a medal in both Moscow and Singapore. It's a great position to be in."
UK Athletics have made it clear that competing in the Youth Olympics and the World Junior Championships is not an option, but Powell isn't worried in the slightest:
"David has two years as an under-20 after 2010, and he will get a crack at both Eurpean and World Championships at that level before graduating to the senior ranks. It would be great experience to witness a World Juniors this year while still so young, but he'll only get one crack at the youth Olympcs, so that has tobe our priority now."
Bolarinwa will now go back to training with his Trackspeed1 squad at Crystal palace, and go to the USA in April with a number of his senior training partners for pre-season training. His otdor season is likely to open with an outing at the University of Central Florida in May.
Sunday 28 February 2010
Tuesday 23 February 2010
STATESIDE VISIT STRIKES SILVER
Trackspeed1 coach John Powell travels back to the UK this week after a highly successful trip to the US with three of his senior athletes.
Dwayne Grant (centre of picture above) clinched second in the New England State Championships at Harvard University on Sunday (21st), albeit with a rather modest 60m in 6.91s after stumbling out of the blocks.
Pictured above - Jason Hussain attempts one of the toughest workouts west of the Atlantic - sprinting every section of the football stadium at Harvard University!
Training comrades James Ellington and Jason Hussain enjoyed a good break from their normal training routines. Hussain made a long awaited return to training after a lengthy lay-off due to a foot problem, whilst Ellington was able to continue an improving winter training campaign after injury and swine flu interrupted his Autumn programme.
Pictured here - Dwayne Grant and James Ellington press ahead with the steps session at Harvard - the backdrop only tells half the story!!
The lasting memory for John Powell, however, was the slick efficiency of running a six-state championship with over 1000 athletes inside four hours!
"There are some real lessons we could learn," he said, "which would make track and field meetings far more attractive to competitors, coaches, officials and spectators alike.
Admittedly they do finals on time - averting the need for heats and semi-finals - but the whole think is over in four hours with a full programme for both genders. There are no gaps between races, entries are taken on the day (or you can enter online in advance at reduced rate), and the whole thing runs within 15 minutes of its timetable. Fantastic!"
Powell, who has maintained his links with Harvard ever since former Trackspeed1 Olympian Chris Lambert graduated there in 2003, was also able to maintain coach and athlete links whilst Stateside, and all four even found time for a 48-hour visit to New York.
Powell's travels will continue as son as he returns to the UK though, with a weekend in Birmingham 27/28th for the agegroup national championships. Trackspeed1's teen sprints ace David Bolarinwa competes in both sprints on a notoriously fast track, and could post a couple of very respectable performances.
"David has been in touch since I was in the USA," said John, "and I gather training has been going well, so it's all systems go for the weekend."
Pictured above - Jason Hussain attempts one of the toughest workouts west of the Atlantic - sprinting every section of the football stadium at Harvard University!
Training comrades James Ellington and Jason Hussain enjoyed a good break from their normal training routines. Hussain made a long awaited return to training after a lengthy lay-off due to a foot problem, whilst Ellington was able to continue an improving winter training campaign after injury and swine flu interrupted his Autumn programme.
Pictured here - Dwayne Grant and James Ellington press ahead with the steps session at Harvard - the backdrop only tells half the story!!
The lasting memory for John Powell, however, was the slick efficiency of running a six-state championship with over 1000 athletes inside four hours!
"There are some real lessons we could learn," he said, "which would make track and field meetings far more attractive to competitors, coaches, officials and spectators alike.
Admittedly they do finals on time - averting the need for heats and semi-finals - but the whole think is over in four hours with a full programme for both genders. There are no gaps between races, entries are taken on the day (or you can enter online in advance at reduced rate), and the whole thing runs within 15 minutes of its timetable. Fantastic!"
Powell, who has maintained his links with Harvard ever since former Trackspeed1 Olympian Chris Lambert graduated there in 2003, was also able to maintain coach and athlete links whilst Stateside, and all four even found time for a 48-hour visit to New York.
Powell's travels will continue as son as he returns to the UK though, with a weekend in Birmingham 27/28th for the agegroup national championships. Trackspeed1's teen sprints ace David Bolarinwa competes in both sprints on a notoriously fast track, and could post a couple of very respectable performances.
"David has been in touch since I was in the USA," said John, "and I gather training has been going well, so it's all systems go for the weekend."
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