Abdi hailed as a top prospect

15 July 2010

NEWHAM & ESSEX Beagles coach Mike Whittaker has hailed Harun Abdi as the most gifted young athlete he has seen in more than two years of coaching.

Abdi showcased his talents at the Aviva English Schools' Championships, in Birmingham over the weekend, with a silver medal in the 2,000 metre steeplechase.

In front of the Sky Sports cameras the 18-year-old ran a personal best of five minutes and 46.11 seconds. He led for much of the race before he was overtaken on the final bend by Charlie MacLean.

The teenager from Plaistow won the prestigious South of England 2,000m Steeplechase title at Crystal Palace last month.

"Since he came to the club almost exactly a year ago he has shown the most potential I've seen in an athlete," said Whittaker. "Middle distance athletes are a rare breed from the inner London boroughs due to lifestyle, terrain, diet etc.

"But of all the athletes at the club Harun certainly has the potential to be a GB senior international and we're hoping for a chance of 2012.

"He is very driven. Harun sometimes has to be dragged away from the track."

Other Beagles to compete at the Championships included Demi Broomfield who finished a fine seventh in the junior girls' javelin with a PB of 32.65m.

Nakole Iddirisu also achieved a PB in the 800m with a time of 1.55.80.