Golden day for Will

Wheelchair race ace Will Smith of Westfield, near Dereham, had a golden day at the DSE National Junior Athletics Championships in Blackpool last weekend.

Wheelchair race ace Will Smith of Westfield, near Dereham, had a golden day at the DSE National Junior Athletics Championships in Blackpool last weekend.

Representing the eastern region, Will, 13, was selected for the 400m, 800m and 1500m in the under-15 age group.

Competitors are allowed to be selected for three events in which they can compete for medals and team points.

All of his events were held on the Saturday and Will won gold in the 400m and 800m and was going for his hat-trick in the 1500m - his favourite event - but was involved in a crash on the final lap.

A novice racer, who was being lapped, swerved unexpectedly and collided with Will. Luckily neither racer was injured, but it meant that Will was unplaced in the race.

The Eastern Region relay team won silver medals in the 4x100m and 4x400m races, both held on Sunday. Other team members were Jake Williamson, Stuart Fallas and Jamie Burton.

The Eastern Region team, managed by Richard Hunt, finished second overall (their highest-ever position in the Nationals) behind a very strong North West team.

If anyone is interested in disabled athletics Richard Hunt can be contacted on 07941 602863.

A few weeks ago Will competed at a

BWAA International competition at Stoke Mandeville.

This event allowed the best UK juniors to compete with the best senior athletes from the UK and Europe (including current Paralympic champion David Weir).

In excellent racing conditions Will set new personal bests in all his events (100m, 200m, 400m, 800m and 1500m) and qualified for the main A Final in the 800m.

Next up for Will is an open invitation meeting at Crystal Palace on July 26.