DUKA Athlete Aiming to Represent Scotland
14/06/07
DUKA Athlete John Ruddy is in line to represent Scotland in the British Schools Athletics Championships
DUKA sprinter John Ruddy fought all the way to the finishing line not only to grab a very creditable 3rd position, but also the bronze medal and a possible place in the British Schools Athletics Championships. The British Schools championships will be held in Cardiffis on 21st July 2007. John is eligible for selection to represent Scottish Schools in these Championships as a result of his 3rd place in the Scottish Schools Championships. The first two are automatically in the team, and the third place is in reserve and maybe selected for the relay team, he may gain automatic entry if either of first two athletes cannot compete for any reason.
“I am very excited about the prospect of competing against some of the best mainstream junior sprinters in Britain especially as the event will take place only a week after the European Deaf Championships in Sofia. Very excited indeed.”
John’s season so far has been good, most of his events have been in very wet and windy conditions, so it is difficult to measure progress from last year. The Scottish Schools was the first time we saw what John is capable of achieving even if the wind reading was -2.1m/s.
Although John specialises in the short sprints, he is now running a lot of 400m races for his club at league matches and looks comfortable in them, when especially as he does not train for the 400m.
John's coach has encouraged him to "blast" the first bend in his 200m, telling him it is better to enter the home straight in front, and not play catch up, which John sometimes does. He also feels that John is more that capable of reaching the finals of his events.
DUKA is very proud of John’s achievements and wish him all the best in the coming busy athletics weeks leading up to Sofia, Cardiff and beyond.