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Already a gold medallist, Wade Bennett-Jackson (19) from North London is one of Britain’s most promising athletes and was the only future Olympian to be invited to the select London 2012 Olympic bid logo.
Wade has been a Young Blade since the initiative was established in 2004. He was presented with a cheque for £1000 by Colin Jackson and Will King at the Jubilee Gym, Covent Garden, London.
Recent achievements include:
Second-fastest 200m sprinter in the World in his age group.
Fastest 100m at World Junior Championships, 2006.
Youth Olympic and Youth Commonwealth Gold Medal winner.
Please scroll down to read the latest updates and news from Wade.
Update: May 2009 by Wade
I have been training out in California throughout the whole of March and April. This is an opportunity to get in great shape for the summer season and be ready and prepared for competitions ahead. After some injury issues last year, I am getting the best preparation possible for this year and am now being coached by Linford Christie and training with a new group which has been a really positive change helping me step up and make lots of progress in new techniques.
Update: February 2008 by Wade
Despite an injury to my ankle sustained just before winter training which forced me out of action for a short time I came 5th at the AAAs U23 National Championships in the 100m, ending the season with a time of 10.40. This was a very good indication that I had been able to put the work in and that I could have run significantly faster. However the injury was just a spanner in the works, and I am back up and running as well as ever now.
My training is going better than ever now, I am stronger and lighter than previous years, and technically I am always improving. My ability to take on different methods of training is a bonus and I am a fast learner.
My plans for 2008 are to reach the Olympics in Beijing, as I would like to have that kind of experience before I win in 2012. Prior to the Olympic trials later this year, I will be travelling to Orlando, Florida for pre season training in April, coming back late May. I will be spending around 4 weeks out there preparing for the season to come. It's a good chance to get away from the norm, and really get my head down and work hard. The weather is nice, and its a perfect environment for hard, intense training. There's also time to kick back and relax, as I have 1 day off per week, where I can do absolutely nothing!
The major competition for me this year is the AAA Olympic trials. They will be around June/July and I am definitely gearing myself to qualify for the 100m. I will be very disappointed if I don't perform well there.
Long term goals are just to run as fast as I possibly can. For 2008 I would like to smash my PB of 10.33 and run around 10.10 or at least 10.15 which I believe will be the Olympic qualifying time. Apart from that I want to reach the Olympics in 2012 and every major Championships leading up to it.
I am also starting my coaching career and undergoing courses to become a certified coach. I would love to pass my knowledge on to youngsters and take on my own squad in the future.
Off the track, I love music, fashion, gaming, and photography. Photography for me is a nice, way to express myself as it has nothing to do with track, I would like to look further into it one day.
Update: October 2007
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Personal best for 2007 to date: 100m 10.40 200m 21.38
Wade has developed a personal routine of core stability training which he now leads with the whole of the squad at least twice a week.
Outside of training, Wade has deputised for squad coaches on the ‘Met-Track scheme’ with coach John Powell (introducing disadvantaged young people to sport through coaching) on a south east London borough. He is also one of the coaches who will work at the 3-day 'showcase launch' of the scheme in Olympic borough Newham in early December.
Wade is also proud to be an ambassador for the 2008 BBC Sport Relief campaign.
Update: June 2007
Wade is improving with every race, here are his most recent results and there should be more to follow soon.
Albufeira, Portugal. European Champion Clubs Cup. 5th place in individual competition, 1st place in relay.
Sunday, 3 June, 2007
Norwich Union Glasgow Grand Prix, Scotsoun Stadium, Glasgow
100m:
7 Wade Bennett Jackson (Gbr) 10.55
Coming up:
• Bedford Games on the 10th June
• South of England Championships at Crystal palace on the 16th & 17th June
• European u23 trials on the 23rd & 24th June (Hungary)
Update: 12 September 2006 from Wade
It was a tough start to the year because I had 3 injuries to deal with. I was out for almost 2 months but rehabbed my way through them. The World Junior Championships in Bejing in August was an amazing experience, clocking the fastest time of the whole championships and a personal best of 10.33 was a great feeling. That was in the first round, and so it was disappointing not to get a medal in the final. At 60 metres I thought I had the race, but it was not to be, however I did take a huge achievement away with me. I teamed up with Harry Aikines-Aryeety, Alex Nelson and Rion Pierre for the 4 x 100 metre relay and we got the bronze medal.
I am ready to work hard over this coming winter, and hopefully will remain injury free. The European indoors is my next big goal and I will be aiming to run the 60m indoors at around 6.50 - 6.60.
Update: 25 August 2006
Wade has just got back from his extremely successful World Championships in Bejing, a PB of 10.33 was a great achievement, as well as the Bronze medal in the relay.
Update: November 2005 from Wade
This summer I ran well, running a PB of 10.34 over 100m at the national Junior champs (AAAs). I qualified for the 200m at the European juniors held in Lithuania, and placed 3rd in the final, which I thought was a massive achievement considering I was ranked 10th in Europe at the time!
Later on in the season I ran two quick times, but unfortunately they were both wind assisted which was a shame. I ran 10.28 at the Sheffield GP which was televised...and then a week later I ran 10.20...Things are looking good for next year!
My plans for next year are the world juniors to be held in Beijing, China. I cannot wait to explode on that track! But before then, I have got to train hard for five solid months until the indoor season arrives in February 2006. I’m looking to run extremely well in the 60m, and move the seniors aside... to make way for me.
Update: 20 December 2004
Wade was in Australia for the Youth (U19) Commonwealth Games. He had a great event, finishing 4th in the 100m and came 1st with his team mates in the 100 relay so a great Oz experience for Wade. He is taking some time out in Oz visiting his dad and meeting his little sister for the first time!
Update: 01 November 2004
Wade has just been selected for the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in Bedigo, Australia 1-3rd December. He is really doing well and hopefully will achieve the same success as he did at the Youth European Olympics.
Results Update 09 August 2004
Manchester International July
200m - 2nd 21.26 (P.B)
4x100m Relay - 1st 40.93
National Junior League Ealing July
100m - 1st 10.8
200m - 1st 21.5
4x100m Relay - 1st
British League Match Newham July
100m - 1st 10.45 (PB)
200m - 1st 21.40
4x100m Relay - 1st 40.61 (SB)
Results Update 08 July 2004
Bedford Games (BIG) June
100m - 4th 10.58
Manheim International June
100m Heat - 1st 10.64
100m Final - 3rd 10.51 (SB)
200m - 1st 21.38
AAAs U20 Championships
100m Heat - 2nd 10.77
100m Semi - 1st 10.53
100m Final - 5th 10.63
200m Heat - 3rd 21.72
200m Semi - 4th 21.41
200m Final - 4th 21.64
SEAA Championships Watford June
100m Heat - 1st 10.83
100m Semi - 1st 10.54
100m Final - 3rd 10.59
200m Heat - 2nd 21.75
200m Final - 3rd 21.53
National Junior League Battersea May
100m - 1st 10.63