Themba wins Gold in Moscow
Next stop the world youth Olmypics
Northampton Boys school student Themba Luhana recently flew over to Moscow to compete in the first ever European Youth Olympic Trials with the Great Britain Junior athletics team. The competition was the final trial for the first ever summer Youth Olympic games, to be held in Singapore in August. Having done various trials in Britain , to get selected for the team travelling to Russia , Themba has been pushed hard to meet the qualifying time for the trials event.
There were 47 countries and 811 athletes at the event in Moscow all vying for the few places at the Youth Olympics. "Going into the race I felt a sense of calm, knowing I had trained hard to get me to where I am, I really wanted to prove to myself I was good enough. The hours leading up to the final I was very nervous, but thought to myself "if everyone else believes in me, why cant I believe in myself?" I knew a medal was possible, but deep down I knew I could get gold - if I fought hard enough for it". In the first round Themba ran a personal best time of 13.85 seconds to win his heat and guarantee a place in the final with a good lane draw in the centre. He then went one better in the final, reducing that mark down to 13.69 to take gold. "Standing on top of the podium with the national anthem playing was overwhelming, a sense of peace, joy and excitement".
Currently sitting his first year of "A" level exams Themba has a busy few months ahead. I'd just like to say a big thank you to all who have been around me, giving up their own time and effort, through the ups and downs to help me develop as an athlete, this wouldn't have been possible without their guidance, knowledge and enthusiasm". Overall the Aviva Great Britain & Northern Ireland team celebrated a successful European Youth Olympic Trials campaign as they left the Russian capital with a medal haul of three gold, three silver and two bronze.
