Double bronze medalist Matthew earns first GB call-up

The 19-year-old has been in excellent form of late, picking up two bronze medals at the England U20 & U23 Championships held at Bedford International Stadium at the weekend.

Matthew is now hoping a fine performance this weekend could see him earn a place in the IAAF World Junior Championships in Poland next month as an individual.

Coach Jane Dixon said: “He needs a qualification of 21.0secs on Sunday in the 200m to compete in Poland as an individual.

“His personal best is 21.25secs, so if all the conditions are good in Germany he should be able to do this.

“He is in great shape at the moment and on a real high after his double bronze medals at the Nationals at the weekend.

“He has been working hard towards achieving his first GB vest and it’s not a great surprise that he has been selected for the Junior World Championships in Poland.

“He has had great support from Luton Sports Network, Active Luton and especially everyone at Stockwood Park athletics track where he trains.”

In Bedford last weekend, Matthew went in the U20 100m heat as he clocked 10.61secs to earn victory and make it through to the semi-finals.

There he ran a PB of 10.50secs to finish in second place and reach the final where Matthew ran 10.53secs to finish in third place, behind Rechmial Miller (10.47secs) and Oliver Bromby (10.52secs).

The Lutonian also went in the U20 200m as he once more won his heat, running 21.51secs to make the semi-final.

Again, Matthew, went quicker, as he clocked 21.43secs to win his semi-final.

Despite running a superb PB of 21.25secs in the final, he was edged into third by Ryan Gorman (20.98secs) and Cameron Tindle (21.12secs), making it double bronze for the weekend.