What it takes to win Triple Gold at Berkshire County Championships 

Year 8 student Ben delivered an outstanding performance at the Berkshire County Athletics Championships, bringing home an incredible three gold medals despite challenging windy and cold conditions.

Ben claimed gold in the U14 Boys 80m Hurdles, Shot Put and Discus, where he achieved a personal best throw of 32.32m. He is currently ranked number one in the UK for the U14 Boys 80m hurdles — although hurdles was not always his favourite event.

“At first, I was not enjoying hurdles, so for some time I stopped hurdles completely,” Ben explained. “Then Mr Cumner put me into a hurdles competition. I was a bit adamant at first, but I trusted what he said. After that race I realised hurdles was actually an event I wasn’t too bad at!”

Ben began athletics in Year 4 at Bracknell Athletics Club and has grown from a throws athlete into a talented all-round competitor across hurdles, jumps and throwing events. He now trains four evenings a week, often for more than two hours, alongside rugby training during the winter season.

Balancing training with homework, family life and friends is not always easy, but Ben remains focused on his future ambitions.

“In a few years I hope to be competing for England or the GB athletics team,” he said.

Away from competition, Ben also enjoys the friendships athletics has brought him.

“I enjoy the social life that athletics gives me and we all encourage each other. We bring food and music to training sessions — it is really fun!”

The sporting gene clearly runs in the family, as Ben’s sister Annabelle, now in Year 11, has also enjoyed sporting success over the years, and at these championships, she secured a silver medal in Shot Put with her own personal best performance.

With his talent, determination and enthusiasm for the sport, Ben has an exciting future ahead and we look forward to following the next steps on his athletics journey.