16 July 2015 

Rechmial Miller (coach: Ryan Freckleton, club: Hercules Wimbledon) won Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s first medal of the IAAF World Youth Championships with bronze in the boy’s 100m in a time of 10.59. Oliver Bromby (Sara MacDonald-Gray/Gary MacDonald-Gray, Southampton) narrowly missed a medal in fourth position posting a time of 10.60 but it was a fine display by the duo on a busy first day in Cali. 

Miller, who improved his PB in the heat and the semi-final said: “It is great to get this medal. I came into the competition ranked ninth overall so it is a bit of a surprise but I’m so happy to come away with a medal.

“I was running well – I have timed my season right. I was very confident and thought I could come away with a medal. The PB in the heats set up the day well. The final wasn’t the perfect race but I’ve got the bronze and I’m really pleased. Oli (Oliver Bromby) ran really well too and we’ve done a great job today.”

“I run at Oaklands College and that is where my coach is from. I’ve come through with the likes of Ojie (Edoburun) who won a medal at the World Youths last time and it is amazing to follow in those footsteps. I go to college everyday seeing these athletes, loads of great guys who are making British teams so our system is working really well.”

Bromby also made a huge breakthrough for fourth position in his first international competition. It was blanket finish as Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown won in a Championship record of 10.28.

The Southampton athlete said afterwards: “The semi-final was by far my best race of the day but I didn’t quite execute it right on the start again in the final but apart from that, I cannot complain. The experience has been massive for me and I’m proud to have made it here. It is by far the best part of my athletics career to date.”

The pair had earlier cruised into the final with Miller recording a second lifetime best of the day of 10.45 (-0.2) to win the first semi-final and Bromby was equally as impressive in 10.50.

Sam Talbot (Eldon Lake, Exeter) returned to the Pascual Guerrero Stadium for the high jump and 400m to complete the first day of the decathlon. His struggled with two failures at 1.69m before clearing on the third and final attempt in the high jump. A 1.72m clearance seemed to suggest it was only a blip but he remained on this height and collected 560 points.

However, there was disappointment for Talbot in the 400m as he was disqualified for a lane infringement. He would have recorded a huge personal best of 48.85 but instead he finished the day on 2929 points in 24th position. However, he will return tomorrow to compete in the next five disciplines.

Team captain Ben Greenwood (Catriona Helen Taverdale, Perth Strathtay) kicked off his Championships in spectacular fashion, gliding to victory in his 800m heat setting a time of 1:51.58. It was a fine display from the Scot who has targeted making this team for two years.

He said afterwards: “I aimed to come off the top bend in a good position but no one was pushing on so I went for it. The crowd was something else – it’s like nothing I’ve experienced in Britain.

“You step out onto the track and you realise that this is a big thing. You get the camera coming up to you at the start line – I’ve never had that before so it was such a good experience. I’m looking forward to coming back tomorrow and making that final.”

Emma Hamplett’s (David Parker, Birchfield Harriers) first round effort of 48.54m saw her qualify for the girl’s javelin final which will take place tomorrow evening at 19:35 (UK Time). Two fouls followed but she did enough to qualify 12^th and book her place in her first global final.

Full results can be found here: http://www.iaaf.org/competitions/iaaf-world-youth-championships/9th-iaaf-world-youth-championships-2015-5408/timetable/byday

Highlights can be found on British Eurosport 2 on Thursday 16 July – please check listing for broadcast times. 

GB & NI Medal Count

Rechmial Miller – 100m Bronze medallist