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🏆 Athletics star Yemi Mary John crowned winner of SportsAid's One-to-Watch Award 2023 🏆
@NickHopeTV 🎥
Track sensation Yemi Mary John, 20, from Woodford in Essex, has been named as the winner of SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award for 2023!
Yemi Mary received the annual Award, supported by Royal Bank of Canada, after an outstanding year which saw her claim gold in the 400m at the European Athletics U23 Championships and two senior relay medals at the World Athletics Championships.
Yemi Mary, who also featured in the top 10 last year having won gold at the World Athletics U20s Championships in 2022, was presented with the Award by 400 metres legend Christine Ohuruogu MBE at Lee Valley Athletics Centre on Monday (18 December). She edged out para cyclist Archie Atkinson, 19, and BMX rider Freia Challis, 15, as they finished in second and third positions respectively.
“It's a really good feeling and it's great to have had this season's achievements recognised!” said Yemi Mary shortly after being presented with the Award. “They caught me off-guard with my Award which was a lovely surprise. Christine has done amazing things, not only in the sport as a whole but in the 400 specifically, so just to have her recognise me and be able to be in a room with such great and successful people is exciting. I appreciated her being there for it.
“I feel like it sets me up for a great trajectory of success and hopefully I will follow in the footsteps of those before [who have won the One-to-Watch Award]. I feel like I'm already on the radar especially because of my first senior season, not only just competing but coming away with medals. The targets I had for the season were hit in the senior field and it solidified my position there and hopefully I can now go further next year.”
Yemi Mary, who dabbled in many sports from gymnastics to MMA when growing up, only started properly competing on the track in 2019. The University of Southern California student has been supported by SportsAid for the last two years and is now determined to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games having made such an impression on the world stage at senior level in 2023.
You can read the full interview with Yemi Mary here ▶️ sportsaid.org.uk/news-and-insig…
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