The National UK Championships (Previously the AAA’s) have for over 100 years been the pinnacle of domestic athletes in Great Britain and this year Kent AC had a record number of athletics who had achieved the strict entry criteria.

We had our best ever championships both in terms of numbers and in terms of performances as our seven men made no less than four finals and new boy Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun only just missed out on a final place by 0.03sec despite a long season and he should be able to set his sights on a top four place in 2008.

Shaun Mulligan was expected to be right at the back of his 400m hdl race but performed well and was only just beaten by athletes with far superior season’s bests. John Browne, unfortunately just had an ‘off day’ in the 200m but must be pleased with the huge step up he has made this year to make himself Kent AC’s most improved athlete.

Next up our two youngsters responded superbly well to the pressure and both came eighth in their finals despite being up against far more experienced competitors. Matthew Burton had one of the most consistent series of jumps in the triple jump as did Jay Thomas in the shot with his second best ever throw. (Both Jay and Matthew beat four athletes that were higher ranked than them). Two amazing performances for first timers at these championships!

Jermaine Mays performed on Friday night and despite being ill for a week still managed to rise to the occasion. His competitive streak was evident as he battled hard to earn the silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase. Another performer on Friday was Conrad Williams who ran out of his skin to produced his 2nd, 3rd and 4th fastest runs ever over three days despite windy conditions. His superb run in the 400m final was ‘top drawer’ and clearly showed he handled the pressure of expectation really well. Clearly he is now truly an international class athlete despite the GB selectors outrageous and unjust decision not to select him for the World Championship relay squad in Osaka. I’m sure that next year when he breaks 46 seconds he will have proved that the selectors decision was hopelessly wrong.

100m semi final 6th Jeffrey Lawal-Balogun 10.71 (+0.6)
200m semi final 5th Jrffrey Lawal-Balogun 21.63 (-3.1)
200m heat 6th John Browne 22.26 (-2.6)
400m final 4th Conrad Williams 46.40
400mH heat 7th Shaun Mulligan 55.32
3000m S/C final 2nd Jermaine Mays 8.46.6
Shot Putt final 8th Jay Thomas 15.57
Triple Jump final 8th Matthew Burton 15.19 (-0.3)