England Athletics Open U20/U17/U15 Indoor Championships: Record-breaking Sunday

Competitors and officials alike barely had time to draw breath after the intensity of day one of these championships before an equally frenetic competition got under way. If Saturday was memorable for the superb sprinting on display, not to mention the amazing pole vault that capped eight hours of intense excitement, so Sunday was all about England’s strength in depth in every event.

From the first race which saw sub 25 seconds needed to qualify in the U15 girls’ 200m to the UK’s longest throw in the shot in 2025 in the U15 boys’ shot in the very first 10 minutes of the championships starting, it was clear only the very best performance would suffice. All-time lists were rewritten as were championships bests not to mention Home Countries national records.

One event, the U20 men’s 60 hurdles, even required a world leading time to win. But nothing could match one of the final events of the day: an U17 British record of 8.39 from Scotland’s Holly Whittaker (Aberdeen) in the 60 hurdles. Sensational stuff!

Here’s how the highlights of day two unfolded:

U20 women

Barely 10 minutes after her clubmate had won the U15 girls’ 800m title, Shaikira King (John Skevington, Wreake and Soar Valley) completed the double for the club. She flew through 400m in 60.1 and shattered the Championships Best Performance with 2:04.34. Fabulous, brave running from the European U18 silver medallist. And it set the tone for what was a pulsating day of action in this age group. Precious Akpe-Moses (Andy Paul, Birchfield) looked equally imperious on her way to an untroubled win in the 200, her 24.38 more than a second faster than her closest rival. In the high jump, Dahlia Corp (Robert Wright, Dacorum) went over 1.73 at the third time of asking for the biggest cheer of the day!

U17 women

The first four in the high jump were rewarded with PBs, led by Scarlet Grundy (Wirral) who went over 1.68 at the third time of asking. Leila Newth (David Johnson, Ealing Southall and Middlesex) left it late in triple jump, but her final round 12.14 not only secured her the gold medal and a PB, it also elevated her to seventh on the all-time list. It was a great competition that saw six athletes go beyond 11 metres in a field of more than 20. Strength in depth was certainly order of the day in this event.

The 800m was also about lifetime bests as well as perfect timing for the winner Kitty Harrison-Sargent (Steve Mann, Halifax H). Fourth at the bell, she nipped into the lead with her final stride to win in 2:10.17 to edge ever closer to sub 2:10.

Of course, this is the England Champs, but as ever athletes from Wales, Ireland and Scotland are welcome, especially when they break national records and even British records! A national record was set by Darcy Coslett (James Wright, Llanelli) in the 300m. She looked like the athlete to watch in the qualifying rounds such was her impressive speed, so it was no surprise to see her stop the clock at 38.69, a Welsh indoor record, just behind a certain Katrina Johnson-Thompson on the all-time lists. Aliyah Afolabi (Lisa Waddon, Cardiff Archers) also set a Welsh record, in the 200m. Her 23.91 was fifth fastest all-time and spectacular for a 14-year-old.

And then, of course, there was the highlight of the entire championships. Whittaker was always the athlete to watch such was her great form in the qualifying rounds, but her final was nothing short of spectacular. Never headed, she ran away from the field in the final 20 metres and the clock stopped at 8.39 in the 60H for a British record. Behind her Izzy Rae (Nathan Standing, Bracknell) was rewarded with the fifth fastest time of all time with 8.46; it was that kind of championships.

U15 girls

In the first track final of the day, Maisie Mullet (John Skevington, Wreake and Soar Valley) looked strong from the gun in the 800m. She led the field through 400m in 65.05 before powering away for the win. Her time of 2:13.37 was also a PB and set the bar high for her teammate who would be competing in the U20 women’s race a few minutes’ later.

Also in business of setting impressive marks was Honor Oteng (TJ Ossai, BFT Track Academy) who used the outside lane draw to her advantage. She was never headed on the way to a smooth looking 24.71. The closest race of the day came in the 60H as four headed off the final hurdle together. It was Talia Junaid-Evans (Dartford H) who took it by the finest of margins in 9.02, just 0.04sec separated the first two.

In the centre of the arena, Alessia Scala (John Bancroft, Blackheath and Bromley) won the high jump with 1.65, while Serena Deol (Michael Dyer, Reading) was the triple jump champion with 11.36, her first time beyond 11 metres.

U20 men

The 800m was all about who could produce the best final 200m. It looked like long-time race leader Jailan Sohna (Catherine Muth, Birchfield) had set himself up to be shot at as he towed the field through a moderate 56.0 first 400m. Everyone was in contention and hovered on his shoulder ready to make their move. But when they did, Sohna fought off each of the three attacks on his pole position to win in 1:52.27. A middle-distance drama played out all the way to the finish line, exactly what this championship is all about.

Emulating his clubmate who had just won the U17 title in the previous race, Ireland’s Conor Kelly (Paul Miller, Hercules Wimbledon) clocked a spectacular 46.80, a fraction of a second shy of the 31-year-old CBP.

Meanwhile, in the field, Rudi May (Trevor Fox, Sheffield and Dearne) emerged triumphant in the pole vault. In yet another long competition in excess of two hours he cleared 4.75 at the first time of asking for a PB and the gold medal.

Wales’s Iolo Grant (Bethan Grant, Cardiff Archers) won the 60 hurdles in 7.63, a time which generated a hum of appreciation in the stadium. That’s because it is the World’s No.1 clocking for U20 in 2025.

U17 men

Lawson Capes (Lewis Capes, Peterborough and Nene Valley) effectively ended the shot competition with his very first throw. His 17.01 established a commanding lead and allowed him to give it his all with a later throw. He did just that, reaching 17.60 in the third round and then a very impressive 18.59 for a PB and the third furthest of all-time, one round later. Continuing on the big numbers theme, that throw was the best in Europe and also Capes’s seventh national title meaning he now has seven Lenny the Lion mascots in his display cabinet at home – a pride in every sense.

In an exciting long jump competition, the pre-event favourite, Daniel Emegbor (Rohan Samuel, Harrow) saved his best jumping for the final two rounds. He needed to though as he started with two fouls, then required a safe jump to make sure he made the cut for the final three jumps. Finally, in round five he found his rhythm and eased into the lead thanks to 6.90 effort, passing long-time leader Harry Wickers (Medway and Maidstone) who had produced a timely PB with 6.71. Wickers couldn’t go any further while Emegbor, the UK No.1 in 2025, found a few more centimetres to comfortably take the gold medal with 6.93. Not the 7.13 he jumped earlier this season, but evidence he is a great competitor.

On the track, Evan Grime (Ian Grime, Salford) is well known for his British age group bests in the middle distances, so it was no surprise to see him dominate the 800m from the gun. Through 400m in 56 seconds, he held on to win in 1:53.06. Credit to Magnus Riddell (Peter Venus, Tynedale Harriers) though, who closed rapidly in the final 100 metres to almost nick it with 1:53.48. His consolation, however, was that he moved to No.4 on the all-time list!

Front running was also the name of the game in the 400m, won by Matthew Wehrle (Hercules Wimbledon) who hit the bell in 23.13 on his way to a 49.97 victory. Also in outstanding form was Farrell Fabusiwa (Paul Weston, Croydon) who flew down the back straight and powered off the final bend on his way to 21.59 (after a 21.50 in qualifying). That capped a superb weekend for him as he won the 60m on Saturday in an equally swift 6.82.

U15 boys

Throwing in his first competition of the year, Sebastian Seldon (Greg Beard, Worcester) instantly showed he meant business in the shot. His 14.72 opening effort wasn’t just a huge PB, it also took him into a commanding lead. He’s clearly had a great winter’s training as he then stretched that advantage with 14.85, and finally 15.61, the longest throw in the country this year to ensure the title would be his. Oscar Chan (Daniel Sawyers, Reading) completed a rare double when he took the long jump thanks to his 6.13 winning leap. Last year he took the title with 5.99 (further than second place this year), but it’s exceptionally unusual for anyone to defend a title in an age group that sees athletes progress so rapidly as they grow stronger and faster.

The 200m was a cracking race with two athletes crossing the line together. Alex Osagie (Woodford Green with Essex Ladies) got the nod, clocking a PB of 22.75, while Anjelho Macabee-Rose (Croydon) was also in PB form, his 22.82 securing him the silver medal.

Thank you to all the officials who made the championships possible this weekend!

12 hour relay challenge

Well done to the students from Eltham College who smashed their 12 hour relay challenge between days one and two of the chamionships! So far they have raised over £1500 for the Personal Best Foundation.

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 all the results on the Roster Athletics platform and app.
• We shared updates on Instagram and X.
• Day 1 livestream link
• Day 2 livestream link