Harry Aikins-Aryeetey of GBR wins the Boys' 100m final at the World Youth Championships (© Getty Images)
Aryeetey has always struggled for recognition. Not only is his name difficult to remember but having the “wrong birthday” and being born in a nation that’s currently brimming with young sprint talent has also played its part.
However, after winning the world youth 100m title today, his name looks set to be on everyone’s lips.
A constant irritation for Aikines-Aryeetey is that, having a birth date of August 29 has left Aikines-Aryeetey always at the very youngest end of his age group in Britain. Had he been born three days later, he would have been the oldest in a lower age group.
Further, his compatriots such as Alex Nelson, whom he beat into second today, and Craig Pickering, who ran 10.22 earlier this year to go to the top of the world junior rankings, had always taken the limelight. He finished only fourth in his country’s national championships earlier this month behind yet another promising athlete, Simeon Williamson.
To help remedy this, two years ago, Aikines-Aryeetey even set up his own website to promote himself and seek sponsorship. He also sent repeated emails to his country’s national athletics magazine to help his cause but he still felt ignored sometimes.
He started his season in March, early in the British season, running times only around 10.6 but he has rapidly improved since then.
“Everyone questioned my ability and wondered why I ran so early in March but everything’s worked at really well. I’m a championship performer.”
Now, the spotlight is finally on him after his victory in Morocco over the hot favourite, Nelson.
“I’ve always been underestimated,” said the 16-year-old. “Everyone forgets I’m the youngest in the age group. Everyone’s been talking about the Craig Pickerings, the Alex Nelsons but I’ve shown that I can outdo them and I can win.”
The youngster from the London-based Sutton AC club dedicated the victory to his late coach, Les Allder, who died two years ago. “This is all thanks to him,” he said.
Beforehand, Aikines-Aryeetey was all too aware he was lining up against the favourite: “I realised it was going to be a challenge beating Alex. Lining up on the line, I just concentrated so much and thought about what me and my coach had gone through and finally put it to work.”
He could find little fault with his performance, which saw him emulate the exploits of his compatriot Mark Lewis-Francis in 1999. However, he admitted: “I started drifting over toward the right so I used my power to get back on course and really drive and open my stride.”
He and Nelson are now close friends as well rivals. “Obviously there’s going to be rivalry but Britain isn’t exactly the biggest island so we all get to know each other really well,” he said.
Now a world youth champion, it surely won’t be long before the rest of the athletics world gets to know Aikines-Aryeetey and he is finally given the recognition he deserves.
