Omololu Abiodun wins another gold whilst Kyle Ennis takes Bronze on a day UEL dominated the Men’s 200m race at the BUCS Nationals. Manny Sarpong caught up with after the competition.
University of East London sprinters Omololu Abiodun and Kyle Ennis turned in outstanding performances at the BUCS Nationals this weekend in Sheffield. The pair took to the podium to collect their gold and bronze medals respectively after they took control of the 200m competition. Abiodun won gold after setting a seasonal PB of 21.41 to pip ahead of St Mary’s Joshua Street and fellow UEL student, Ennis, also set a seasonal PB of 21.92 to win bronze.
This was Abiodun’s second gold in a row after winning the competition last year. He said after the race: “It was really great to defend my title. I’ve been working hard for this and I feel like it’s a huge accomplishment to win my second gold at the Nationals. I wasn’t too sure what was going to happen, because anyone could have won the race. I’m very happy with this.”
He added that he was also thrilled to see fellow UEL student and friend, Ennis, also take to the podium. “I’m happy for him, he’s a good guy and happy he’s got his first BUCS medal.”
Bronze medallist Ennis expressed that he was overjoyed to be part of the top-three finish and it’s definitely a confidence boost for the outdoor season ahead. He said: “It feels good and a huge confidence boost as I didn’t consider myself as an indoor 200m favourite, because the race is so different to the 200m outdoor race, but I’m so thrilled to get a medal.”
Abiodun ran the perfect race, improving his time in each heat. He won both heats and semi-final races, running 21.60 and 21.47 respectively. Ennis also won both of his heats, running 22.13 and 21.98 respectively. In the finals Abiodun improved on his time significantly as he was the first out of the blocks and maintained his speed around the bend to record his second BUCS Nationals 200m win.
The 23-year-old had an opportunity to add another medal to his collection in the men’s relay but unfortunately pulled his hamstring in the 4X200m race. The sprinter was very apologetic after the race; he acknowledged the work that the team had put in to set him up for the finish.
He said: “I’m really gutted, [I] didn’t expect that at all. [I} Was just about to overtake University of Birmingham and I heard a pop in my muscles, [I] tried to carry on but I just went down instead of going forwards. I’m more gutted that I couldn’t get the gold for the boys who worked so hard to set me up to make a killer finish and my hamstring went. So gutted and so sorry for my UEL team, everyone worked so hard.”
There is no indication exactly how long the east London-born athlete will be sidelined for, but the injury means he will miss the upcoming British Athletics League Division Premiership, where he won silver medal last year. Abiodun is also training for the British Olympic Team, in hopes of qualifying for Rio 2016, so hopes to return to action soon.
He said: “Not exactly sure how long I’ll be out for but I’m not competing in any more indoor events. I’ll take some time out and see what the scans says, but hopefully I’ll be back soon.”
Although injury-free, Ennis also echoed a similar view, stating that he too will be missing the upcoming competition, to reduce the risk of injury. The 24-year-old said: “My coach doesn’t want me doing it because of the risk of injury with the indoor 200m race. [My] coach wants me healthy and in the best condition for my outdoor season.”
In the women’s competition, Antonia Evans and Kehinde Ademola, also reached the semi-finals of the women 200m but failed to progress to the finals, finishing second and fourth in their races respectively.