Trackspeed1 UK sprinter Kieran Daly may have been a shade disappointed after the weekend's British Athletics Championships in Birmingham, but in fact he has confirmed his arrival among the superstars of British sprinting.
Not for many years have the UK's sprinting stables enjoyed such a depth of talent, and 21-year-old Kieran is now very much part of that new elite team. Reaching the final of arguably the most keenly contested event in the championships, he confirmed his ranking among the top eight in the country.
The campaign had started on Saturday when the Blackheath and Bromley athlete finished within a whisker of eventual 100 metres winner, Dwain Chambers, in the heats. Then on Sunday, when the pressure really was on, he qualified for the final with another fine run in the semi.
Eighth place in the blue ribband event was not part of the plan, with ambitions toward the top six in the final, but it was not to be. This said, as coach John Powell confirmed afterwards, competing on the biggest stage of domestic athletics does not come without its pressures:
"Kieran will hopefully, in time, slowly realise just what he achieved this weekend. He has climbed out of the obscurity that his pre-season 10.58 second 100 metres time inherited, to line up alongside the likes of Dwain Chambers, and the country's elite speed men.
"That takes a little getting used to, and every single one of those athletes in the final had experienced international championships of one kind or another in the past - except Kieran. He has a huge amount to learn, but will have gained massively through this experience, and is already better equipped to go onto the next challenge. There were some very talented athletes who failed to reach the final at all!
"I also hope this shows very clearly to training parters - and any other upcoming young sprinters - just what is needed to cut it at the top level. I do believe this has made Kieran hungry for more success in the future and, as long as he realises his frailties and is willing to put in the work over coming months, he will be fitter, stronger, and faster next year.
"Those that decide to go with him will share in the success that will surely follow!"
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