Pickering Memorial International returns to Loughborough

The annual Pickering Memorial International (PMI) match on the 1 June 2025 played host to an England team of 19 athletes who produced an exceptional seven meeting records, four personal bests and two season’s bests. Every athlete delivered on the day with no athletes placing below 3rd (11 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze).

Outstanding performances

To seal what was likely the best England showing at the PMI, U18 discus thrower Moyo Stumpenhusen (Rugby & Northampton, Garry Herrington) was voted to be the most outstanding performer of the day. Moyo, taking advantage of favourable wind conditions, launched the 1.5kg discus to 62.36m, creating a litany of bests - PB, meeting record, 3rd in Europe, 8th in the World and 2nd All Time in the UK - with still one more year to go in the age group, he looks set to star in the 2026 European U18 Championships.

Not to be outdone, Amy Thompson (Liverpool Harriers, Mark Edwards) (F41 U20W), the women’s Team Captain, had a double PB day, increasing her shot put best by 16cm to 8.52m, a new meeting record, and also securing the best female performance on the day.

Record breakers

The PMI event provides an ideal opportunity for highly ranked talent pathway athletes to either cement their credentials for age group/senior championships or gain valuable international experience. Competing against athletes from Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy each event was highly contested.

In addition to Moyo and Amy; Jabez Berry (Halesowen Athletics Club; Steve Pearson) (72.57m U20 Hammer), Owen Merrett (Yate Athletics Club; Matt Spicer) (64.76m u23 Hammer), Adam Rutter (Worcester AC; Greg Thompson) (39.88m F44 U23 Discus), Emelia Adese (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC; Herbie Keuntslinger) (15.20m U18 Shot) and Lawson Capes (Peterborough and Nene Valley; Lewis Capes) (18.40m U18 Shot) also produced meeting records.

Additionally, Harriet Wheeler (West Cheshire Athletics Club ) (48.61m U20 Javelin) and Gabrielle Tcheukam (Croyden; Paul Weston) (47.30m U18 Discus) produced very credible PBs.

Reflecting on the team’s success, captains Amy Thompson and Owen Merrett expressed immense pride. Amy said

"Sunday was a great day, showcasing the talent not only in the UK but from overseas. It was an honour to captain the England squad who performed very well. The PMI is a great way to celebrate all that the Ron Pickering Memorial Fund do for athletes."

Remembering Geoff Capes

This was also a particularly emotional day for Lawson and his Dad Lewis Capes (team coach for shot) as the PMI also remembered their father/grandfather Geoff Capes, who sadly passed in October 2024; Lawson is clearly showing that he is following in his late grandfather’s footsteps.

Training up team support personnel

But this event is not just about the athletes - it also provides an ideal opportunity to train a cadre of team staff coaches - blending a mixture of experience, first time international coach Sy Forster commented:

"I was honoured to be selected as a javelin team coach at the PMI. As a first timer in an international role, I was unsure of what to expect and a little nervous, but I quickly felt like one of the team and was supported throughout the process."

Team Leader Tom Dobbing praised the team, saying:

"This team of 19 athletes showed supreme grit and determination to deliver on the day – every athlete gained a medal placing showing that they all have the potential to grow and compete at age group championships and beyond."

"The lessons they would all have learned will be immeasurable, but I can guarantee that they will all be better equipped to compete well during this summer and beyond. Having experienced senior leadership roles during the last 32 years of my military career, the team of staff coaches we assembled were exceptional at facilitating a performance environment – my thanks go to all the athletes and coaches involved."

Results

• Tom Rutter (HAWC, Tom Dobbing) - 1st U20 Javelin - 61.36
• Ayesha Jones (Marshall Milton Keynes, Tom Dobbing) - 1st U20 Javelin - 49.05
• Lawson Capes (Peterborough and Nene Valley, Lewis Capes) - 1st U18 shot - 18.40
• Alani Dumbuya (Leigh, Simon Forster) - 1st U20 shot - 13.50
• Gabi Tcheukam (Croyden, Paul Weston) - 1st U18 discus - 47.30
• Beth Pendlebury (Trafford AC, Mike Martin) - 2nd  U18 discus - 41.21
• Godwin Mutandwa (Dacorum, Garry Power) - 2nd  U18 discus - 50.55
• Moyo Stumpenhusen (Rugby & Northampton, Garry Herrington) - 1st U18 discus - 62.36
• Jacob Foord (Taunton, Brett Morse) - 2nd  U20 discus - 54.60
• Harriet Court (Paddock wood, Mark Roberson) - 3rd U20 Javelin - 48.52
• Harriet Wheeler (West Cheshire Athletics Club) - 2nd U20 Javelin - 48.61
• Jabez Berry – (Halesowen Athletics Club, Steve Pearson) - 1st U20 Hammer - 72.57
• Owen Merrett (Yate Athletics Club, Matt Spicer) - 1st U23 Hammer – 64.76
• Wyatt Larkins (Harrow AC, Jamie Bath) - 3rd U20 Hammer - 67.65
• Adam Rutter (Worcester AC, Greg Thompson) - 1st F44 Discus - 39.88
• Amy Thompson (Liverpool Harriers, Mark Edwards) - 1st F41 Shot - 8.52
• Harry Beard (Sheffield & Dearne AC, Greg Beard) - 2nd U18 Shot - 16.72
• Alistair Brown (Chelmsford AC, Greg Beard) - 2nd U20 Shot - 16.61
• Emilia Adese (Blackheath & Bromley Harriers AC, Herbie Keuntslinger) - 1st U18 Shot - 15.20

Team staff:

• Team Lead: Tom Dobbing
• Team Manager: Katie Lambert
• Discus: Kat Woodcock, Martin McBriar
• Shot: Lewis Capes, Emeka Udechuku
• Javelin: Mark Bradford, Sy Forster
• Hammer: Jess Arnison, Lee Doyle
• Physio: Lucy Eggleton-Wood