A POWYS sprinter has been named in a Great Britain relay squad for the Manchester International athletics meeting this evening.
Owain Lloyd Hughes, from Ystradgynlais, has been named in the GB under 20 4x100m squad alongside England’s Toby Makoyawo, Destiny Ogali, Tobi Ogunkanmi and Joel Pascall-Menzies.
The 17-year-old, competing in his first year in the under 20s age group, is enjoying an impressive summer after two seasons disrupted by injury.
Already this year Owain has claimed the Welsh junior 100m and 200m titles and has competed for the Welsh senior men’s team.
The Neath Harriers athlete, who rates Brecon as his favourite track in Wales, has struggled with injury since becoming the 200m British Schools Champion in 2017.
“It’s been a difficult two years for me but having an excellent team around me this season has helped massively,” said the former Ystradgynlais RFC rugby winger.
“I’ve been lucky to have an outstanding athletics coach, Kevin Williams, who himself is a former Commonwealth games sprinter, a top strength and conditioning coach in the form of Richard Clarke and a tailored injury rehabilitation programme delivered by Welsh Athletics physio Adam Rattenbury.
“All these three have had a massive impact on me this year and helped everything click together. I’ve been really fortunate, and can’t wait to put on the GB vest for the first time. It’s a real honour.”
200m specialist Owain has a personal best of 21.32 and in the shorter sprint lowered his PB to 10.82 in Belfast recently.
However he has the potential to go much faster as he finished third at the Welsh senior championships last month with a wind assisted 10.32.
The race was notable for seeing the fastest ever 100m time by a Welshman.
But as champion Sam Gordon’s 10.08 clocking was wind assisted it meant Olympian and 2001 World 100m finalist Christian Malcolm’s national record remains.
Owain, who attended Welsh medium school Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera and the former Yynyscedwyn primary in Ystradgynlais, has also competed for Wales at under 20 level this summer.
The Manchester International will be streamed this evening, Wednesday August 14 from 6.30pm and can be viewed by following this link https://www.runjumpthrow.com/live/30797/