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Just 132 days to go for the Paris Olympics 2024, and we’re getting the names of the Olympic hopefuls and some young probable Olympians. Track and field has undoubtedly produced the maximum number of successful athletes and will continue to do so in the future. The world is singing praises of the early or mid-20 speedsters, starting from Sha’Carri Richardson to Femke Bol. But what about the U20?

One name has particularly made waves in the 2023 season. Shaikira King, the British track budding star, boasts of a fine sprinting career. All thanks to the 2023 English Schools Championships, from which she walked home with the 800m record. Having said so, she has proved herself as the epitome of determination again. At least that is what her recent performance shows.

Track and field youngster Innes FitzGerald with the gold

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The X handle of Vinco posted, “Expect the unexpected…” demonstrating how the initial runner-up Olivia Forrest’s life changed in a fraction of a second. Flying to victory in the inter girls’ quite dramatically, she left behind King, who fell in the last lap, just an arm away from the finish line. But her strong will to pull herself back didn’t have her lying on the floor for long. Though she missed out on the podium, pulling herself up and finishing the race stood as a testament to King’s undying sportsmanship.

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In June 2023, the 15-year-old track and field icon ran the UK age 14 record, clocking in at 2:04.47. Considering this great feat, she was one of the top choices in this category at the English Schools Championships. Another U20 athlete, Innes FitzGerald, defended her senior girls’ title at the cross country race. As one of the most decorated U20 runners, she might have Shaikira King walking in her footsteps soon.

Shaikira King’s track career

Having taken the course along Forrest, the Leicestershire and Rutland native boasts of a couple of podiums. At the Ayo Falola Dream Mile, Lee Valley Athletics Centre, London, the 15-year-old secured the pole position. Especially competing in the 800m, at the SIAB Schools International T&F Competition, she nabbed another victory on July 15, 2023.

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Another gold came under her belt from the ESAA – English Schools Ch., where she ran a stunning 4:26.01 in 1500m. At just 15, Shaikira King has a high chance of making it to the International stage anytime soon, regardless of the minor setbacks that try to plague her growing career.

READ MORE: “Its Humbling”: Olympic Hopeful Anna Hall Shares Intense Rehab Journey to Chase Paris Dreams