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Welsh Athletes Shine at AAA U23 and U20 Championships

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Steve Davies, the Welsh middle-distance ace, gears up for the London Grand Prix, where he will face top athletes from Africa and Europe. Despite losing at the 800m event at the AAA U23 and U20 Championships in Bedford, Davies is thrilled, citing the competition as a valuable training session. Meanwhile, other Welsh athletes, such as Non Stanford and James Mills, showcased impressive performances, with Mills securing the gold in the 800m U20 race and aiming for the World Junior Championships qualifying time in Cardiff next weekend.

Key Takeaways:

  • Steve Davies will compete in the Norwich Union London Grand Prix, where he will face top international athletes in the 1500m event.
  • Davies finished third in the 800m event at the AAA U23 and U20 Championships in Bedford, despite a bump down the back straight that nearly cost him the win.
  • Non Stanford, a Swansea Harrier, struggled in the women's U20 1500m event, finishing eighth with a time of 4min 31secs.
  • James Mills, a Wrexham teenager, won the 800m U20 race with a time of 1.52.68, and is aiming to drop below the World Junior Championships qualifying time of 1.49mins in Cardiff next weekend.
  • Cardiff AC's Lianne Clarke competed with a fractured metatarsal and still managed to win the javelin event, launching the javelin to 45.77m.
  • Uwic's Emma Lyons won the U20 pole vault competition with a personal best of 3.70m, but is seeking to add another 25cms to her jump to qualify for the World Junior Championships in Beijing.
  • Uwic's Gary White and Elliot O'Neill pushed each other to the brink in the U23 triple jump, with White taking gold and O'Neill narrowly missing out with silver.
  • Swansea Harrier Matthew Richards won the men's U23 hammer with a first-round throw of 51.83m.

Statistics:

  • Steve Davies' time in the 800m event: 1min 53.43secs
  • Non Stanford's time in the women's U20 1500m event: 4min 31secs
  • James Mills' time in the 800m U20 race: 1.52.68
  • Lianne Clarke's javelin throw: 45.77m
  • Emma Lyons' U20 pole vault personal best: 3.70m
  • Matthew Richards' first-round hammer throw: 51.83m
  • Wales' athletes won a total of 11 medals (including gold, silver, and bronze) at the AAA U23 and U20 Championships.

Sources:

  • Western Mail, "It is down to business now for Gothenburg-bound Steve Davies as the Welsh middle-distance ace begins his preparation for the biggest test of his life next month."
  • Western Mail, "This was only a training session for speedwork because I haven't done that many 800s in the last few weeks."
  • Western Mail, "I have a best of 1.49.61 and the World Junior Championships qualifying time is 1.49mins, so I will be trying to get that in Cardiff next weekend."
  • Western Mail, "It was agony when I ran up to throw. I'm pleased because it is the second time I have defended my title."
  • Western Mail, "Uwic enjoyed a tremendous event, with athletes picking up several gold, silver and bronze medals throughout the two days of competition."

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