10.92 seconds 100 metres performance wins place on Irish team in Paris for Leon King Abor
Days two and three of the Leinster Athletics Track and Field Championships took place recently at Carlow IT once again the venue.
With the younger athletes programme having concluded the weekend before, this time it was the turn of the older juvenile members of the club to showcase their talents and they certainly did not disappoint!
The impressive facilities ensured a well organised and exciting few days of competition, but the heat proved to be a hindrance to some. As temperatures reached 30 degrees in the midlands, the distance runners certainly suffered the most under the blazing sun, and in the u15 boys 1,500m race, Sean Cummins ran superbly to finish in 13th position overall.
The throwers were next to the field, with Euan Canifee getting the medal winning streak underway, with a Gold medal in both the u19 Discus, throwing 34.07m, and a Gold in the u19 Javelin, securing his place in the upcoming National Championships.
Javelin thrower Max Kingston threw a super 40.24m to secure the bronze medal in the u17 boys event, while it was silver for Oliver Carolan in the u14 boys Javelin, throwing 31.98m, in only his first major competition in this event.
The sprinters were next to the track and it was certainly a family affair for the King Abors, with all three in action in the short sprints. Ledley ran a super 11s for the 80m distance to finish 2nd in his heat, securing qualification for the final, where in an almost photo finish, he crossed the line in 4th place, a mere .20 of a second behind the bronze medal winner.
Sister Nina also finished second in her heat of the u16 girls 100m sprint, and with just a short rest in between, she was back on the track for the final, where she ran 12.77, enough to secure the silver medal.
Nina also ran in the u16 girls 200m sprint race the following day, where a super time of 26.45s saw her take the third podium spot and the bronze medal.
In the boys u17 100m sprints, Adam Byrne just missed out on a place in the final, despite a super run in his heat, while clubmate Sean Stratton cruised through his heat, of the u17 race, crossing the line 1st in 11.47s.
In the final, Sean got off to a flying start, and held his form all the way to the finish, dipping over the line in a super 11.45s, taking the victory and the Gold Medal.
Ending the day on a high note, the boys u18 100m sprint was a straight final, and if you blinked, you would have missed it, such is the speed and talent of the young men in this event, and none more so than super sprinter Leon King Abor.
Leading from the gun, Leon maintained his form and stride length over the 100ms, and stopped the clock in an amazing 10.92 seconds, taking the win and the Gold medal.
And as if the Gold wasn’t enough, his super time was also enough to earn him a place on the Irish team selected to represent their country in the upcoming Paris U18 International competition, which was announced last week.
Leon will run in the 100m sprint, against athletes from all over Europe, an amazing achievement for this young man, who at only 16 years of age, is sure to continue to excel and will certainly challenge on the global stage!
