Basingstoke sprint star Kieran Showler-Davis fluffed his lines during his big moment last year, but has vowed not to make the same mistake twice as he bids for under-23 European gold.
The 19-year-old Basingstoke and Mid Hants ace had his sights set on 200m glory at last year’s World Junior Championships in Canada, but saw his dreams fade away as he failed in his semi-final bid.
However, he is keen to erase this memory in spectacular fashion as he targets the podium at July’s European Under-23 Championships in Ostrava.
And Showler-Davis is convinced he is better prepared this time around following his Canadian disappointment – determined to prove his mettle on an even bigger stage in 2011.
“My 2010 went well, but when it came to the World Junior Championships, which was the main stage I had been working towards, I didn’t run the race I wanted to,” he said.
“So I did have a good year, but when it really mattered I couldn’t put it all together and that was a real low.
“It’s an old cliché, but the one good thing to come out of that is that I now know that when people say you learn more from a fall they are telling the truth, because I learnt loads from that experience.
“And I plan to take what I learnt in 2010 into 2011, with my main aim and goal being to win gold at the Under-23 European Championships.
“Last year, I aimed to win the world juniors and although I got there it didn’t quite work out for me when I was competing. But I am determined to not let that happen again this year and, hopefully, I will take the experience and use it to my advantage.”
Showler-Davis was handed a London 2012 boost this week when he was selected to be part of the Spar Sprints Programme.
The scheme gives support – both financial and coaching – to ten young sprinters tipped for the top as part of the UKA Futures scheme for athletes aged between 17 and 20.
He believes the extra support from SPAR, who has previously supported the likes of current Team GB star Martyn Rooney, will help him find that extra yard to challenge the country’s best in 2011.
“To be part of the scheme means a lot to me and there is a really good set up put in place and I am positive I will get a really good experience out of it,” said Showler-Davis, who will compete throughout 2011 for the SPAR Outstanding Athlete of the Year award.
“And it adds to the whole thing to have athletes of similar events, similar ages and similar abilities and I know a lot of the guys. Hopefully, we can all progress together and on into the senior ranks.
“It is important to have a good season this year with London 2012 on the horizon and this scheme will really help me to do some big things as I work towards that and Rio in 2016.”
Brought to you by Spar, official sponsors of UK Athletics. For more information, visit www.spar.co.uk
