By Ryan Walters
Sutton & District sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey went to the Sainsbury’s British Championships looking to break through a mental barrier to finally beat 10.10 seconds.
And having left Birmingham after doing just that with a new personal best, a silver medal and a place on the plane to next month’s World Championships in Moscow, the 24-year-old believes he can now run carefree.
Ever since running 10.10secs at the Rieti Grand Prix in Italy back in 2008, the sprinter has failed to go any quicker over 100m, falling down the pecking order in Britain.
However, the tutelage of American coach Rana Reider, who linked up with Aikines-Aryeetey in October last year, has clearly paid off as he clocked 10.08 at the British Championships.
And, having feared his commitment to the sport may have had to take a hit in order to pay the bills, the former world junior 100m champion insists a weight has certainly been lifted.
On his way: Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has finally broken through the 10.10 seconds barrier
“It has been a burden to my life. Every time I look at the clock it is 10.10, whenever I look at my watch it is 10.10, when I get a train somewhere it is 10.10 and I haven’t been able to get rid of that number since 2008,” said Aikines-Aryeetey.
“You doubt yourself obviously but I am a happy lad just as long as I have a way of living and staying carefree and staying focused. But now I am pretty speechless for once.
“I need to stop thinking, it is hard to do because you don’t have moments to think in this race but when you can depict what can happen in a race it is over and that is what I have been doing.
“I haven’t run like this since 2011 and last year was a bit of a broken year with my coach and injuries. I injured myself at the trial event just from walking around and this has come so far.
“It has got to the stage where people are not believing in me so much, money is a bit thin, I am trying to promote myself as a personal trainer to get some money and to support what I am trying to do.
“And the moment that happens you are having to think about running fast to be able to pay the bills and that is a mental breakdown and it has hurt me a bit.
“I was literally running for my life. It is a load off my mind but I have to go through it again and remain confident. I want to make sure I have somewhere to live, eat and sleep.”
Winner: James Dasaolu ran 9.91 seconds at the British Championships
Another Briton leaving Birmingham with a personal best was James Dasaolu who ran 9.91secs in the semi-final – the second fastest time by a British sprinter ever.
And with Dwain Chambers still running close to that coveted 10-second barrier, Aikines-Aryeetey is relishing the challenge of chasing down his nearest rivals.
“James and I have been through thick and thin and I have to be happy for him. I want to be with him at some stage, he is having his moment and he deserves it but it will spur me on,” he added.
“I am still yet to beat Chambers, everyone else has other than me but that will happen one day but I have to stop thinking about them and think about me.”
Sainsbury’s British Championships is the second event in the Sainsbury’s Summer Series. For more information on Sainsbury’s support of world class athletics and disability sport go to www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/occasions/anniversary-games
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here