Sam Gordon And Jenny Nesbitt Bid To Retain Welsh Athletics Titles At Senior Championships

By David Williams

Sprinter Sam Gordon will be among the Welsh international athletes taking part in the Welsh Senior Athletics Championships this weekend at the Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff.

Reigning Welsh 100m champion Gordon aims to defend his crown against Josh Brown and Joseph Berry with Great Britain star Jeremiah Azu away competing in Europe as he prepares for the European U23 Championships in Finland next month.

Azu won senior European bronze in Munich last summer and heads to Espoo looking to retain the European U23 100m title that he won in Tallinn two years ago.

But the Welsh Championships will still feature British and Welsh champion Adele Nicoll in the women’s shot put as well as Commonwealth Games Para bronze medalist Harrison Walsh in the men’s discus.

Jenny Nesbitt will be opening her track season in the senior Women’s 1500m and will be looking to retain her title from last year’s Championships.

We are pleased to support a group of Ukrainian athletes who will be competing at this weekend’s Welsh Senior Championships. The athletes have used Wales as a base for several months, and will use the Championships to prepare for the European Age Group Championships. pic.twitter.com/PeR4E0Jj4U

— Welsh Athletics (@WelshAthletics) June 22, 2023

Great Britain Olympian Joe Brier will take on Gordon in the 200m on Sunday.

Tokyo 2020 shot put gold medalist Aled Davies will be in action as he prepares for the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris next month.

Joining him in the event is Mike Jenkins, who will have a busy weekend competing in three throws events including shot put, discus, and javelin.

Also competing on Sunday is Tokyo bronze medallist Hollie Arnold, who will be in action in the senior women’s javelin.

Commonwealth Games Para 100m gold medalist Olivia Breen will be in action in the senior women’s ambulant/Para long jump.

Congratulations to Jeremiah Azu who has been selected to represent Great Britain & Northen Ireland at the European U23 Championships in Finland next month! Llongyfarchiadau! 👏

Read the team announcement here ➡️ https://t.co/YIS5rbxnxz pic.twitter.com/OaMw8eIwoO

— Welsh Athletics (@WelshAthletics) June 21, 2023

Entries also include Ukrainian sprinters Mykyta Rodchenkov and two-time Balkan Championships winner Danyla Danylenko, who has run very close to his personal best already this season.

Welsh Athletics CEO James Williams said: “This weekend I am delighted to see we have had the highest number of entries for our senior and U15 Championships since 2018, with over 1000 athletes entered, reflecting the increased depth in the sport across Wales.

“With many of our senior athletes looking to qualify for the World Athletic Championships in Budapest this summer, I am confident there will be some strong performances.”

2️⃣ days to go until the 2023 Welsh Senior & U15 Championships!

The line-up is looking great with Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games athletes in action! 🤩

Read the preview here ➡️ https://t.co/PTsK6XIxMw pic.twitter.com/nh4JJl6AM0

— Welsh Athletics (@WelshAthletics) June 22, 2023