Day 1 saw second Emmanuel Duruiheoma first up in the men’s 100m. A debut at the Senior trials, the theme for the Championships was “survive and advance”. Emmanuel had his most robust race to date finishing third in his heat in an all conditions lifetime best of 10.36. This unfortunately doesn’t carry a legal personal best due to a wind recording of 4.4 metres pers second, however, this saw him advance into the semi-finals.
Day 2 and the gears turning harder the semi-final proved too strong where Emmanuel ran 10.54 finishing 22nd overall from 65. Emmanuel stated “this was so hard but I’m really pleased I made a semi-final at my first attempt”
The men’s 100m final saw Oaklands Alumni Reece Prescod take silver in 9.94s to secure his place at Oregon World Championships and is also joined by Oaklands Alumni female sprint sensation Daryll Neita who won the women’s 100m beating Dina Asher-Smith in 10.80s.
Day 3 Saw current third year and European u20 100m & 200m leader Jeriel Quainoo challenge the 200m trials. The heats proved a great platform for the debute of Quainoo who at the 150m stage lead the race. A late surge saw Sheffield’s Joe Ferguson take the win with Quainoo in a safe 2nd and auto qualifier to the final.
The final saw Quainoo drawn in lane 5, with last weeks guest presenter Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake drawn on his inside in lane 4, Adam Gemeli drawn in 6 and Oaklands Alumni (2020) drawn in lane 7. A steady start from Quainoo saw him come of the bend in 4th place with Mitchell-Blake storming. Quainoo remained relaxed to pass Gemeli for third place and his first ever Senior medal in a 20.40 which now ranks him 5th in the World u20 rankings and 9th in the European Senior Rankings.
(Pictured: Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake (left) congratulating Jeriel as the view the results board.)
Mitchell-Blake took the race in a Championship record or 20.05, with Hanson Marginally behind Quainoo for 4th in 20.46.
Elsewhere Oaklands Alumni Kyle Langford (800m) who had the World Qualifying standard placed 2nd place to confirm his spot to the Oregon World Championships.