Back at the track – at last !

European Indoor Championships

Report – Paul Bearman

A major athletics championships usually has a noisy and enthusiastic British contingent cheering on the athletes. However, in the stadium in Torun that was devoid of supporters, it suddenly came to life when Andrew Pozzi lined up for the final of the 60m Hurdles and the raucous Italian athletes sitting in the stands “adopted” Andrew.

Not only does he train in Italy but his family roots have Italian connections.

They were cheering even more loudly as he became the first British male athlete to win a medal at the championships, amongst the brilliant British female athletes.

Prior to the championships Andrew told me he knew Wilhem Belocian was going to be his biggest threat and that’s just how it turned out.

Going into the championships Andrew was in great shape and really flying in training that was backed up by 2 very convincing competitive races.

After very classy and fast winning runs in their respective heats and semi-finals for both Andrew and Belocian, it was clear the two big names were going to be the ones to beat in the final; and so it transpired that was how the race ended.

A much improved start by Andrew meant he was to the important first barrier in synch with Belocian and like 2 top class prize fighters they slugged it out down the track, in flawless demonstrations of hurdling and reached the line still in synch but Belocian was given the nod for the gold by the thickness of a vest.

Andrew equalled his PB 7.43s, just .01s away from the gold and afterwards he reflected on a great race and praised Belocian as a deserving winner. “It was tough not to win but I’m really proud of the work my team and I have done in the last few weeks to be here after a very difficult couple of months. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me this weekend, it’s been amazing”.

Ever the inspiration, the club’s hurdling fraternity were, along with many others, glued to the TV watching and immediately after the final Seb Hillard was outside his house practicing his starts!

Pozzi rues Brexit rules that threaten Olympic hopes

Britain’s world champion hurdler Andrew Pozzi fears his Olympic ambitions are under threat because of new Brexit rules that could force him to quit his training base in Italy.

Pozzi revealed he was desperately trying to get permanent residency to remain training with the Cuban hurdling guru Santiago Antunez – whom he credits with revitalising his career – in Formia.

But the 28-year-old admitted it was proving a “tricky” process. “If any of you guys want to use your powers to help lobby for sports visas or anything like that, then feel free,” he added. “Getting information about the best way to continue in Italy has been very difficult.

Pozzi said he had fallen victim to new Brexit rules that allow UK passport holders to spend only up to 90 days in the Schengen zone during any 180-day period.

That, said Pozzi, was hardly ideal in an Olympic year. “The good thing for me is I have the support of the training centre in Formia,” he added. “But the current rule is that you can only be in Europe 90 days out of every 180. Obviously for an athlete that is not sustainable and it is not the way to prepare.” Under Antunez, Pozzi has focused on rhythm-based exercises and drills – often to salsa music and says he is in the best shape of his life.

But he admits the consequences of leaving the Cuban in an Olympic year could be devastating.

“I have lost an awful lot of years in my career to injury,” he added. “It has been a big part of my career. We have done everything we can to make sure I stay in the best shape possible and keep making progress. It looks like the Olympics are going to go ahead – and you don’t want to give it away.”

Stratford AC racewalkers get a wiggle on!

Report – Gemma Smith

The virtual 2k racewalking results are in. This week the women’s team moves into second place! Kate Sergent improved her time by 1.20 to record at time of 13.45, Emma Louise Sparrow, with a time of16.54, has improved by 17seconds but overall by she has improved by a massive 2.55 since her first entry a few weeks ago and I managed 16.38.

It is great to see Malcolm Bowyer back in the men’s team, returning from injury, improving on last week’s time by 1.40.

Incredibly this is Paul’s 47th entry and thanks to him for getting us involved in this, we’re hooked.

We are looking forward to getting back to training with our coach (when permitted) and hopefully we haven’t picked up too many bad habits!

Here are the results: http://racewalkingassociation.com/EventDetails.asp?ag=y&id=6213&fbclid=IwAR2wBLfMmvYWAgY3VPKuG15pdIJwxCR5cLKxs7OCbanYpElKJTkjDZzjBGs