HUDDERSFIELD’S Alfie West played a starring role after emulating the likes of Olympic medallists Kelly Sotherton and Mark Lewis-Francis by scooping bronze at the Aviva Athletics Academy Sportshall finals in Birmingham.
The 12-year-old helped the West Yorkshire team secure third place in the Under 13 boys obstacle relay at the flagship junior athletics development event of the year.
West, who attends Scissett Middle School, also took part in the 4-lap relay and the standing triple jump but failed to add to his medal haul as he finished 17th and 14th, respectively.
And after writing his name into the Sportshall history books alongside the likes of Sotherton and Lewis-Francis – who tasted success in 1992 and 1998 respectively – West was left grinning from ear to ear after his day’s work.
“It was really good to come away with a medal. I had a really good day though and the arena was a really nice place to compete in,” said West.
“We weren’t really that nervous racing, I maybe felt a little bit nervous before hand because you are racing in front of a lot of people but it was a great experience.
“It’s great fun to be part of a team and one day I hope to be part of the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team as a professional athlete.”
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