Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Miguel Francis aims for more after making his mark

Written by 
Published in Athletics
Tuesday, 20 August 2019 10:49

The British sprinter ran a sub-20 200m in London and now hopes to book his place on the plane to Doha

While much attention will understandably be on the likes of Zharnel Hughes and Adam Gemili at this weekend’s Müller British Athletics Championships, there is another athlete who is flying under the radar towards securing a sprint place in Doha.

Miguel Francis believes he made a statement with his 19.97 200m at last month’s Müller Anniversary Games as he continued his comeback after injury struggles and he’ll be looking to build on that in Birmingham on Sunday.

The Montserrat-born sprinter transferred his allegiance to Britain in 2017 and hopes to represent the nation at the IAAF World Championships in Qatar later this year in both the half-lap event and relay.

His UK-leading time clocked when finishing runner up behind Xie Zhenye of China’s 19.88 Asian record in London ranks him equal third on the British all-time list alongside Gemili, behind only John Regis and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake, though he has a faster PB of 19.88 – just 0.01 off the British record – which he ran in 2016.

“After what I have been through, to come back and run 19 seconds, that should be a statement, definitely,” said Francis, who works with Glen Mills, coach of sprints great Usain Bolt, in Jamaica as part of the Racers Track Club.

“My training over the past six weeks, I’ve been feeling really good, really strong,” added the 24-year-old, speaking with AW last month after his sub-20 second run in London.

“I knew the type of shape I was in but I wasn’t 100 per cent confident in myself because I was coming off a few injuries. To run sub-20, I’m really pleased with that.”

Francis represented Antigua & Barbuda at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2015 world championships having moved there with his family when he was a few months old after a volcanic eruption on his home Caribbean island.

But the Wolverhampton & Bilston athlete, who has family in the West Midlands of England, was eligible for a transfer to GB with his birthplace being a British overseas territory and his focus is now on the British Championships and securing a place on the team bound for Doha.

“I’m feeling really good,” said Francis, who has had surgeries on his right ankle and knee in the past couple of years. “My confidence level was just not here because I’ve hardly been competing. This is my first race since May, my first 200m since April.

“I’ve been seeing everybody else running their fast times and to come out here and run fast, it’s a confidence boost and I’m just looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Read 1095 times

Soccer

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

Ipswich vs Man United: VAR stopped by fire alarm

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsVAR was temporarily suspended during Manchester United's clash at I...

Amorim era begins with fastest Utd goal of season

Amorim era begins with fastest Utd goal of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRúben Amorim was made to wait just 81 seconds for the first goal of...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

Ball's career-best 50 not enough as Hornets fall

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLaMelo Ball became the third-youngest player in NBA history, and th...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated