From Athletic Northern Ireland A trio of NI athletes have produced some outstanding performances in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India. All three have reached finals, with at least two now being tipped as firm medal prospects.
The most spectacular performance came from North Down’s Hannah Lewis who decimated the opposition in her long jump qualifying group, where she recorded 5.98 metres – a PB by some 13cm. This jump was 15cm further than the next competitor, and must make the 18 year old ‘A’ level student firm favourite to take the Commonwealth title.
City of Lisburn’s Ciara Mageean is another athlete with her sights firmly set on a medal in the 1500 metres final following her 2nd place heat finish in 4 mins 25.18 secs behind Kenya’s Chepkemboi Ndiva – a girl she defeated earlier this year in the World Junior Championships. Ciara has now fully recovered from an earlier stomach problem and will be hoping that the final will be a repeat of last month’s UK Schools Games, where she destroyed her rivals in a NI record of 4 mins 21.2 secs.
Another athlete in sparkling form is Lagan Valley’s Curtis Woods, who recorded excellent times en route to the 400m final. His opening first round heat of 49.38s was followed by a best ever 48.05s runner up time in his semi-final – the 5th fastest qualifying time and a new NI Junior Record. The Downshire School pupil’s opposition in the final includes England’s Jordan McGrath (PB 47.67).
North Down’s Ben Reynolds failed to make the high jump final when he had to settle for a 1.90 metre clearance following a narrow miss at 1.95 metres.
Two other NI athletes competing will be Abbey’s Gabraelle McNally (Hammer) and Chesterfield’s Edward Mourbey (Pole Vault).
[Picured: Curtis Woods, taken at Athletics Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth Youth Games photocall at the Mary Peters Track.]
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