18/02/15

Nigel Levine unknowingly likes the number five.

The Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow athlete recorded a fifth 400m indoor title at last weekend’s Sainsbury’s Indoor British Championships and next month he could potentially take his European Indoor Championship medal tally to five.

To celebrate his win and qualifying time of 46.8, Levine’s Brunel based training group celebrated with his favourite cake with five candles on earlier this week.

“The cake was nice,” explains the 25 year-old. “I like red velvet. We had a bit of cake after training which is very rare.

“I’m quite happy because I defended my title. It was difficult but I’m pleased that I came out on top.

“My win has given everyone in the training group a confidence boost and we know that our training works.  It was great that two of us from the group performed well at the championships. Dannish (Walker-Khan) won a bronze in the 200.”

Two years ago Levine won his first senior individual medal at the 2013 European Indoor Championships in Gothenburg and this time around he is looking to emulate his silver in the Czech Republic.

“I wanted to win, I didn’t win,” recalls Levine on his Swedish silver.

“I wasn’t really happy because I wanted to win. It was a competition and you go there to win. This year is another shot and hopefully I can add to my European medals.”

Wherever Levine races there is always a pocket of fans cheering him on and this is something which spurs him on to achieve his goals. 

“Team Smoothy is my little support club. The names comes from my nickname smoothy.

“It’s really cool that I’ve got a little fan club. I want to give back to my fans for supporting me by running fast and winning medals.”