FAWWAZ HEADS FOR GLORY!

Trackspeed1 sprinter Fawwaz Okunola walked into today's English Schools Intermediate Boys 100m semi-finas with  performance of sheer class at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

Fawwaz Okunola breezes to a 100m internadiate boys
100m win in BIRMINGHAM

The youngest member of John Powell's elite squad powered to a 10.87s win in the heats of the 100m, leaving hi as one of the firm favourites to feature in the top three tomorrow (Saturday).

Of the two Trackspeed1 UK guys competing in the schoolboy olympics, Fawwaz lined himself up as yet another product of the Trackspeed1 development formula.  That said, Nathan Gilbert will acknowledge his nightmare start in the senior boys heats - which still saw him progress to the final - shows that he is also in the mix for honours on day 2.

If Fawwaz does emerge victorious over all but one of his opponents, then he will be yet another international graduate of the training group that professes to produce more new internationals from grass roots tan another in the country.

"Fawwaz ran very welL in the heats," said coach John Powell, "but he will have to improve in the semi and final if he is to go to Dublin for the international next week.   Either way though, he is proving here - yet again - that he is one of the most talented sprinters of his age in the country, and to that end I am very proud of him."

In the Senior Boys 100m Nathan Gilbert overcame a nightmare start to qualify for Saturday's final with a modest 11.0s second-placed performance.  His problem sciatic nerve this year left him struggling out of the blocks, but he recovered to qualify for the final on Saturday afternoon.

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COACH JOHN POWELL RECEIVES THE MBE

Trackspeed1 UK coach John Powell has been awarded the MBE for services to Athletics. His name is included in The Queen's birthday Honours List today (Saturday 15/6) writes a South London journalist.

The 54-year-old speed coach, who has been coaching athletes from the ground floor right the way through to the Olympic and Commonwealth Games and various World and European Championships for over 37 years, is bestowed with the ultimate accolade any British Citizen can receive.

Over his virtually four decades in the sport, John has fulfilled admin', management, planning, organizational, and of course coaching roles since his school PE teacher thrust a club membership form in his hand for Herne Hill Harriers in 1975.

Since then he has held offices such as Herne Hill Junior Captain, Founder and Team Manager of the hugely successful Blackheath Harriers youth scheme in the 80s and 90's, and then lead Belgrave Harriers to National Junior League titles in the late 90's and early 2000's.

Along the way, he has sat on numerous local, regional and national committees, and was secretary of the AAA of England Track and Field set-up for a time.  He has managed or coached any number of England or Great Britain teams at international events, and was a part of the coaching team on TeamGB in Athens and London.


Trackspeed1 UK coach John Powell - seen here carrying the Olympic
Torch at Crystal Palace last year - has been Honoured by The Queen
in her 2013 Birthday Honours List

John's big claim to fame however, has been the way he has developed young talents into senior internationals, and in achieving this his contribution to certainly hundreds, if not thousands, of young lives over the years has been colossal.

The former Police Superintendent, who retired from the London force late in 2011 after over 30 years' service, also set up the Met-Track project which has gone from strength to strength in London, using sport as a medium to push young lives back into positive pathways.  He recently gained National Lottery support for this to the tune of £300,000 over 3 years.

The notification of John's Honour came last month and arrived just 2 hours after he had landed at Gatwick after 5 weeks' warm weather training in the USA:

"I was heavily jet-lagged, and at first thought it must be something to do with the tax man when I saw the envelope, but when I read it, my reaction scared my one year-old half to death!," he said.

"Obviously I'm totally humbled by this. It came completely out of the blue, and quite honestly I am totally blown away by it."

John will hear over the next few months the exact date he is to be summoned to Buckingham Palace to receive the award, which could round off a pretty spectacular year with his wife due to give birth to his second child in 22 months in early December!

The citation for his MBE - which stands for 'Member of the British Empire' - reads : "Athletics coach. Services to Athletics'. It will be the second award he has received in the last 2 years, having won the England Athletics London Region 'Services to Coaching Award' in 2011. 

John, who is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts (FRSA), also holds the Metropolitan Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, The Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal 2002, and The Queen's Jubilee Medal for public service 2012.  His name is added alongside numerous household names in British Athletics, including Phillips Idowu MBE (whom he used to coach as a junior), Jessica Ennis MBE and Mark Lewis-Francis MBE among many others, and coach Malcolm Arnold MBE, who was Honoured last year.

JOHN V. POWELL MBE, FRSA

Above: the letter received notifying John of his Honour.

 

FAWWAZ HITS FORM ON TIME

Trackspeed1 UK's youngest sprinter, 15-year-old Fawwaz Okunola, has hit form just at the right time as he warms up for the highlights of hi summer track season.

Competing in an open meeting at Lee Valley last Wednesday he clocked one of the fastest times in the UK for an under-17 over 200 metres of 22.03s, adding a 10.86s 100 metres sprint over the shorter distance.

Both performances were lifetime bests, an both came just before the qualifying London Schools Championships, where selection is finalised for the prestigious English Schools Championships.

The London event, at Battersea Park, suffered from cold headwinds which slowed all the sprinters down, but Fawwaz held off traditionally strong opposition in the sprints to win the 100m final in a hand-timed 10.9s.  He opted out of the 200m to protect an aching hamstring.

"Fawwaz has progressed exceedingly well since he joined the squad," said his coach John Powell, "and this is having only really trained with us for half the winter.  Next time round he will be stronger and fitter, so his potential is very real."

It was a clean sweep of medals for Trackspeed1 UK sprinters in the Londons, with training partner Frederick Afrifa securing 200m gold in the under-17 final after a super bend that swept most of the opposition away in the first half of the race.  He clocked 22.6s into a fierce breeze, although Powell assured him afterwards that this was nowhere near where he could be.

"Frederick suffered a niggle in his hip at just the wrong time during his preparation," John explained, "and that has affected the end result in his running this summer. He is a potential sub-22 second 200m athlete now, never mind in the future, and it's just tragic that he hasn't yet been able to reproduce the form that promised to take him to the World Youth Championships for Italy later this summer."

The third Trackspeed1 UK athlete taking part at Battersea had dragged himself out of his sick bed t ensure his English Schools place was assured.  Nathan Gilbert had been posting personal bests over 100 metres all season, but contracted a flu bug at the beginning of the week.

Although described by his coach as 'rather rough' his performance was sufficient to make him a virtual certainty for the Birmingham nationals, after he cinched silver in the Senior Boys final in a rapid 10.8s which was pretty much level with his personal best 10.73, although the latter was wind-assisted!

Just 48 hours later some of the Trackspeed1 UK Academy athletes braved the coldest night of June so far at Norman Park, Bromley.  The highlight here were two personal bests by Peter Olusakin who clocked wind legal times of 11.95s and 24.53s.

EDMOND SOUNDS HIS BATTLE CRY

Trackspeed1 UK's Edmond Amaning kicked his season off in style today (Saturday 25/5) with two gold medals, two personal bests, and a battle cry that will put the sprints world on alert!

Competing in the Middlesex County Championships, at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Edmond secured gold in both 100m and 200m, cracking lifetime best marks in both events in the process!

Edmond Amaning (right) on his way to 200m gold

The 100m came first, and a pedestrian 10.86s heat demolished the opposition despite a helpful following wind, but the final saw him switch into overdrive.

Running 10.44s took him to a new lifetime best mark, and saw the rest of the field trailing in behind.  As his number two event, it was a more than encouraging start for both athlete and coach, John Powell.

In the 200m later the same day, Edmond opened up with a 22.0s hand-timed performance that saw the rest of the field trying in vein to cling on to his shirt tails.  This time there was no following wind, but that was academic as Edmond proved he was in a different class to the rest.

There was little doubt a to the ultimate result, and the only issue was how fast he would run.  In the event, he won the final in 21.10s - just inside his 2012 personal best mark of 21.13 to complete a highly satisfactory first day of the 2013 outdoor season.

Competing in the same meeting, Trackspeed1 UK's Nathan Gilbert was contesting the under-20 men's 100m, and he too left with a medal around his neck.

After a miserable last 2 months of winter that saw a hamstring injury refuse to budge as it should have done, and a warm weather training trip in the States where he could barely run close to flat out, personal best times were not a priority.  But that is exactly what he produced!

In the heat he was aided by a following wind of +3.9 to cross the line in 10.82s, but in the final that abated to +2.4 when he timed a fastest ever 10.73s to silver.

"The wind may not have been quite legal in the final," said coach John Powell, "but he was way ahead of his 10.9+ PB from last tear and it won;t have helped him that much.

"Overall it was a great first day for both athletes and I am very proud of their efforts.  We have to move on though, and we will need more from both lads if they are to come close to their personal goals for 2013."

SPRINTERS HEAD HOME

Trackspeed1 UK's longest pre-season training camp, in Florida, USA, ends this week as the squad head homeward after what coach John Powell described as "by and large a pretty solid trip consisting of some pretty impressive focus and hard work!"

Apart from this who have already stretched their legs in either Gainesville or Orlando at US meetings, Trackspeed1 UK athletes have a varied race plan this year, and are looking to open up their summer programme at various stages this month.

Currently, Julian Thomas intends to begin his 2013 campaign in Lockeren, Belgium, on May 19th, whilst England 200m Champion Edmond Amaning will probably wait for the Middlesex County Championships at the end of the month to begin his campaign.

Former European under-23 400m hurdles champion, Lloyd Gumbs, may well use the Loughborough international meeting to launch his attack on his specialist 400 m hurdles event, while training partner Matthew Sinclair will be hoping to be at the same venue in the 400m.

Kieran Daly, described as a real dark horse this year by his coach, picked up a groin strain in Florida, and is leaving his campaign until the end of this month, but fellow sprinter, 16-year-old Frederick Afrifa, may be flying to his native Italy to compete in a youth meeting in Bressanone on Saturday 18th.

"Everyone who travelled to the US camp will be returning in way better shape than they left the UK," commented John Powell, "and although Kieran has a niggle to deal with he will be fine come the major meets of the year.

"It's been a very productive few weeks here, and with a largely new squad this year, I am looking forward to seeing people do justice to a lot of hard graft through the winter months."

Trackspeed1 UK coach John Powell hinted at the end of
his squad's Florida training camp that a late training
performance promises great things for at least one of his
stable this summer.  Watch this space!

BACK IN ACTION AND PB's ALREADY!

Trackspeed1 UK sped back into track action on Saturday (20th), ironically in the coldest and wettest conditions of the Florida Spring so far, but there were still PB's set on day one of their season!

Predictably it was Kieran Daly (20) and Frederick Afrifa (16) who improved lifetime sprint marks after some very focussed training during the squad's first couple of weeks Stateside.

Daly, whose 200m best remained static last year due to the lack of outings over the distance, reduced his 21.9 best to 21.69s, but clearly has far more to come.

Afrifa, the youngest in the America party, took a tenth off his 200m best to record 22.51s after struggling to an 11.27s 100m which coach John Powell said was well below what he is capable of.

"These best times were well deserved by two guys who have worked very hard in training," said John Powell.  "The most encouraging thing though is that Kieran has much more to offer as he steps his training levels up, and Fred at only 16 will progress significantly."

Afrifa's 200m was a World Youth Championships qualifying mark for his home country of Italy, and so puts him n pole position to represent his country in Donetsk later this year.

Other Trackspeed1 UK performances were all encouraging given it was the first competition day of the year, and that the conditions hardly promoted excellent sprinting.

Julian Thomas stretched is legs with an opening 100m in 10.66s burst, but will be looking to improve on his 21.57s 200m.  Remaining results are below...

Ed' Amaning	Did not compete
Frederick Afrifa	100m – 11.27 +1.4; 200m – 22.51 +1.6 PB
Julian Thomas	100m – 10.66 +0.8; 200m – 21.57 +0.4
Kieron Daly	100m – 10.82 +0.2; 21.69 +0.8 PB
Lloyd Gumbs	200m – 22.57 +0.8; 400m – 49.52
Matthew Sinclair	Trained, did not compete
Nathan Gilbert	Trained, did not compete

FAWWAZ OFF TO A FLYER!

Fawwaz Okunola was the toast of the newly formed Trackspeed1 UK Academy this week, as his season got off to a flyer at Crystal Palace.

The 15-year-old, who joined the new Academy earlier this year, opened his 2013 account with two blistering sprints that will already feature among the fastest in his age group in the UK.

The first race of the day was a heavily wind-assisted 100m, which he completed in a personal best 10.89s ahead of a +3.6m/s gust.  However, the later 200m was not similarly affected, and a virtual zero wind reading meant his lifetime best of 22.37s (win reading -0.1m/s) now presents a bit of a decision as to which sprint he focuses on most later in the season.

Fawwaz Okunola clocked 22.37s for the 200m at
Crystal Palace, still aged just 15.

Speaking from the senior squad's pre-season training base in Florida, USA, Fawwaz's cash John Powell was complimentary on his charge's opening effort of the year:

"Fawwaz has terrific leg speed and I knew he was going to run fast over 100m, but I wasn't too sure of how much speed endurance we had managed to put into his legs since he joined us.

"His 200m time is excellent, and now he has a few decisions to make ahead of the main championships this year as to which sprint he wants to prioritise."

In the same open meeting at Crystal Palace, the squad's main training base, another Academy member Phillip Robinson, set a lifetime best finishing second to Okunola in 23.01s.  It was a fine run, although he had earned a dressing down from Powell's number two, Johnathan Regis, for turning up just 20 mites before his 100m event!

Back in the USA, Julian Thomas grabbed the headlines at last weekend's Lake Brantley High School meet.  Competing in the Florida Gliders Spring Classic, in Altamonte Springs, he clocked a healthy 21.29s to finish second to fellow Brit Dannish Walker-Khan.

All the Trackspeed1 UK performances of the season so far, in the UK and the USA, are updated on the squad rankings lists, the link for which is on the home page.

NEW SEASON, NEW LOOK FOR "TRACKSPEED1 UK"

Trackspeed1 officially rebranded to 'Trackspeed1 UK' this year, but now it has had its official stamp of approval with the new kit issue, courtesy of suppliers Adidas.

Former World Junior finalist, Julian Thomas, modelled the kit at Crystal Palace last week, just before he and a number of the squad's top performers travelled out to Florida for their annual pre-season warm weather training camp.

Trackspeed1 UK's Julian Thomas gives the new squad brand his sign of approval!

"I'm really pleased with the new look and logo," said coach John Powell, "I think it looks really professional, and is supported well by the three-stripe brand."

Seven athletes have travelled to Florida with coach, and therapists John Allen and Lucy Eggleton.

"Training in the warmth of Southern USA will be a huge relief for everyone," said John.  "We have endured the most unrelentingly bitter cold winter at Crystal Palace ever, and you simply can't run at your best in that kind of environment.

"People are in pretty good shape though, and looking forward to giving weeks' hard graft, which will bring them back to the UK ready to take the summer season by the scruff of the neck!"

As pictured below though, there was an additional member of the squad who was equally eager to get running on the track at Clermont!  The group are basing themselves at the USA National Training Centre.

Powell junior (Jasmine, 13 months) takes to the track in the US, and it looks
like she's already set to get into winning ways!

POWELL JUNIOR MAKES THE BIG SCREEN!

Jasmine Powell turns one this week (20th Feb') but has already hit the big screen in front of thousands of spectators!

'Miracle' baby of Trackspeed1 coach John Powell, seemed to be having the time of her life at Saturday's Birmingham grand prix, as the local cameras spotted her.  She was immediately beamed onto the big screen in a lull between events and got the biggest "aaaaagh" of the afternoon as she waved frantically to anything and anyone!

"I don't care if she is into athletics or not," said proud dad John, "but she did seem to love this event.  She didn't stop clapping all afternoon, although I had to find all sorts of treats to stuff in her mouth to keep her quiet when the sprinters were waiting for the gun to fire!"

Jasmine marked the beginning of a spectacular year for John in 2012 both on and off the track, arriving last winter as the 'oldest' IVF baby ion British history - third oldest in the world.

"She was truly a miracle baby," said John, who suffered Cancer which relapsed twice some 21 years ago, with intensive chemotherapy making it impossible for him to father a child again naturally. 

"She brought me luck all last summer and, despite the immense disappointments of Autumn, I am sure will bring good luck and fortune to all in Trackspeed1 and the Academy this year."

The vast majority of the squad have avoided indoor competition this time round, and are well down the road of preparation for summer now, despite freezing temperatures at their training base at Crystal Palace.

"The weather is always a challenge this time of year," said John, but performances are all up on last year for those who were here, and the Academy concept born last September has really taken off.  We have some real young talent in the junior ranks of TS1 again, so it will be very interesting to see how summer pans out this year."

POWELL'S RETIREMENT ON HOLD

It was a painful conclusion to the most successful year ever for Trackspeed1.  Just weeks after some of the happiest moments of his coaching career, Trackspeed1 coach John Powell was ready to quit the sport for good, but that is now at least on hold.

The previous blog news item to this outlines in detail John's post-season blues, but as 2013 dawned his Academy concept has taken off, and his senior group are progressing nicely.

"You can only get up so many times after you are knocked to the floor," said John, "and to be perfectly honest, I had no intention of continuing as a coach after this year, but for the second time in 8 years, a terrific bunch of new guys have made that an impossibility for me.

"Summer saw some of the highest points of my life as a coach, watching James Ellington win the British 200m crown and gain selection to the Olympics in london, seeing David Bolarinwa final at the World Juniors, and of course being part of the TeamGB set-up in London.  Autumn though was the lowest."

Trackspeed1's academy concept has long been an ambition for John, but time and his commitment to his leading athletes prevented it.  Now though, not only has he got a good bunch of club athletes, he also has some young talent that promise to really impress over coming months and years.

John Powell (centre) is joined by 3 new Academy athletes
with great promise for 2013: Yehnine Gayle (left),
Frederick Afrifa (centre) and Fawwaz Okunola (right)

"I still don't quite understand what is wrong with a sport that allows coaches that take athletes to major games over a period of many years slip back to coaching juniors again with no support whatever, but that's the way athletics is in the UK.  One minute you're an Olympic coach, the next you're akin to a school teacher down the local track!"

All this said, Trackspeed1 have high hopes for its senior athletes this year, with former international Julian Thomas training well, along with England 200m Champion Edmond Amaning, and quarter miler Matt Sinclair, to name but three.  Former 400m hurdles international Lloyd Gumbs is also a great prospect.

"We'll crack on with what we do this winter," said John, "and who knows what we could achieve come summer.  We're warm weather training in Florida again this year with some of the group, and we could have representation in both British and Italian teams if things go well  - watch this space!"