You are in > manchester.com  > News > Aikines-Aryeetey wins 100m gold

Athletics

Aikines-Aryeetey wins 100m gold

16/08/2006

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, one of Britain's brightest athletics prospects, has stormed to the 100m gold at the World Junior Championships in Beijing.

The 17-year-old sprinter clocked a season best time of 10.37secs as he beat a high-class field including fellow Briton Wade Bennett-Jackson who finished back in sixth place.

"I'm over the moon and just want to talk about it with everyone," he said after the run. "After my semi-final I just wanted to get out there and finish the business."

Aikines-Aryeetey's triumph gives the British team their first medal of the championships and contrasts with the senior team's disappointing showing in last week's European Championships in Gothenburg.

The 2005 BBC young sports personality of the year is touted as a London 2012 medal hope and this performance will reinforce his potential.

Last summer, the Carshalton star became the first sprinter in the six-year history of the IAAF World Youth Championships to win both the 100 and 200m gold medals.

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins had to recently defend his decision to send Aikines-Aryeetey to train with Justin Gatlin, who is facing a possible life ban for doping offences, and disgraced American coach Trevor Graham.

© Adfero Ltd