England Athletics Open U20/U17/U15 Indoor Championships: An electric Saturday

The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation in the packed Sheffield Indoor arena. Partly that was because of the large crowd but more as a result that day one of this lightening-charged championship produced a string of scintillating, world class performances. To win a medal at this event is always incredible, but this year it really did need something special to stand on the rostrum.

And as ever, exceptional sprinting provided much of the highlights in the eight action-packed hours that had something for everybody. There were amazing jumps and superb throws, endless lifetime bests and more drama than the best Hollywood script writers could ever dream of. It had something for everyone and better, illustrated just how strong England’s athletes are currently.

Here’s how the action unfolded:

U20 women

In a tight race, Omaserichi Moneke (Peter Griffiths, Watford Harriers) emerged victorious thanks to her 7.44 in the 60 metres. That was a big PB and her first ever national title. Perfect form at the perfect moment. Also displaying form just when it mattered most was Isabella Turner (Dacorum AC), who was several heights better than her rivals in the pole vault. She cleared 4.00 at the second time of asking to equal her season’s best before calling it a day at 4.10.

The long jump produced a superb competition as combined eventer (and winner here last month at the England Athletics Combined Events Championships), Thea Brown (Ashley Bryant, Sale Harriers) opened her account with 6.18. Back in January her best jump in the pentathlon was 5.89 so great progress. And that was just the start, she improved in the third round to 6.24 despite chopping slightly into the board. There’s certainly more to come, highlighted by the fact she jumped further than six metres four times. Mind you, she had to as Daisy Snell (Blackheath and Bromley) jumped 6.08 in second.

U17 women

Judging by the semi-finals in the 60 metres, the final promised to be something really, really special. Celine Obinna-Alo (Richard Kilty, Gateshead Harriers) eased her way to 7.46, the fifth fastest of all-time to win the first semi, while in the very next race Leila Lihe (Mark Fowler, Hallamshire Harriers) looked equally impressive with her 7.49. In the final, Obinna-Alo actually got a sluggish-looking start but an amazing final 15 metres saw her power across the line in 7.38. Really special indeed. That was the second equal fastest ever and only Olympic 400m bronze medallist Katharine Merry has ever run quicker aged 14 (7.35). Sensational sprinting where Lihe’s 7.51 got her just a third place! In what was race of the day, Shivelle Marshall (Paul Weston, Croydon Harriers) took the silver, also clocking 7.51, just 0.003sec separating second from third.

The shot wasn’t quite so close as Monica Malagala (Geoff Tyler, Chelmsford) secured the gold medal with her very first throw (13.53) before improving that to a personal best of 13.88 in round two and finally 13.93 with the very last throw of the competition (and the day). What a way to sign off.

U15 girls

The 60 final was all about how fast the favourite Annabelle Fasuba (Neal Edwards, City of Plymouth) would react to the starter’s gun. The answer was: perfectly as the English Schools champion exploded out of the blocks. She quickly got into her stride and was rewarded with a personal best of 7.53. In the field, the pole vault was a real test of endurance and concentration. It lasted close to three hours, so congratulations to reigning outdoor champion Ella Brooker (John Wakeman, Blackheath and Bromley Harriers), who won with 3.18. Adanna Udechuku (Emeka Udechuku, Colchester and Tendring) has had to throw the shot instead of the discus preferred by her dad, Emeka (who is the third best of all-time) because her club doesn’t have a cage. But that didn’t seem too much of a hindrance as she won with 12.37, her first time beyond 12 metres (along with her second-round effort of 12.29).

U20 men

In what was the closest (and surely the most exciting race) of the afternoon, Teddy Wilson nicked it in the 60 metres. The pre-event favourite clocked 6.74 but tightened slightly in this close race and unusually for him needed to wait for confirmation from the photo finish team to be sure of the win. He took it by just 0.002. That’s just two one thousandths of a second from Matthew Smart (Mansfield Harriers), also given 6.74, 0.04sec faster than he’d ever run before.

Winning a coveted England title was tough in every event. For instance, five athletes cleared 1.99 in the high jump before that was whittled down to the three who cleared 2.03. Finally two then scaled 2.06m which was an indoor PB for U17 outdoor champion, Otis Poole (Joy Bray, Yate and District) and an equal lifetime best for Peter Krunity-Salako (Jeremy Dale, Yate and District). Nothing separated the clubmates in terms of attempts as the bar was raised to 2.09. Both failed three times which resulted in a jump off to determine the winner. The opening height remained at 2.09, which Poole then sailed over first time (so actually his fourth attempt) to take the national title and win what was one of the better club championships ever!

U17 men

Farrell Fabusiwa (Paul Weston, Croydon Harriers) demonstrated the strength in depth England is currently enjoying in the 60 metres. He powered to 6.82 in Sheffield after a very impressive 6.75 earlier this season, which is the fourth quickest of all-time.  

The triple jump was a close affair as just 2cm separated the top two. Ben Foulger’s (Craig Pounder, City of York) fifth-round jump of 14.26 won him the gold medal from early leader Harley Henry (Craig Andrew, Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) who touched down at 14.24 with his third effort. The day concluded with the pole vault which eventually saw Liam Nicholls (Sale Harriers) win with a personal best of 4.25 (two soaring first time clearances at 4.20 and then 4.25), not bad for someone who hadn’t gone over 4 metres until this season.

U15 boys

Looking like an athlete who has another gear should he need it, Piers Spencer-Simms (Blackheath and Bromley) eased away from the field in the final 30 metres to win the 60-metre sprint. He clocked a mightily impressive – and controlled-looking – 7.05, close to a 0.2sec ahead of his competitors.

The first event of the day, the triple jump set the tone for what was to follow, exciting all the way to the wire. A fifth-round jump of 11.63, followed by a final effort of 11.77, both by far the longest of the year secured Charlie Reilly (Brendan Reilly, City of Sheffield and Dearne) the gold medal. For those who love athletics history, dad Brendan won the U17 high jump title in 1988. And as for the high jump, few this weekend can claim to have improved 19cm. But Tadiwa Mumbure (Rugby and Northampton) did just that to win the gold medal with 1.84 in his first competition of the year. He set six PBs on the day and came in 3cm higher than his previous best of 1.65. Incredible stuff!

More information

• We are excited to be working with the Keely Klassic organisers to offer one lane each to an under-20 female and male 60m athlete. The Keely Klassic takes place at the Utilita Arena, Birmingham on Saturday 15th February. Selections will be based on availability of those who make the final in the under-20 men’s and women’s 60m. Coach and Athlete accreditation will be supplied. Athletes will be contacted directly by Shani Palmer and Andy Paul. Tickets available for the Keely Klassic here.
• View start lists and results as they happen on the Roster Athletics platform and app.
• We will be sharing updates on Instagram and X.
• Download the Event programme (PDF 2MB)
• Buy tickets online.
• Day 1 livestream link
• Day 2 livestream link