On a fine morning in August 2018, the Spaniard Alvaro Martin usurped the athletics top position in the European 20km race walk bays before the 2020 Olympic games. Except for the gas leakage startle, he had to overpower a British legend in the competitor list whose grandezza in the event was swanky. Assailing on the grit, Alvaro topped the list on that day. But that wasn’t the end of the duo’s tryst with destiny. 

In 2023, at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Alvaro Martin was there as the cromulent topper. But this time, the British athlete was in a contrasting role. But that couldn’t stop the individual from getting his name etched in the New Year Honors. That happened on December 29 at Leeds Beckett University. 

Tom Bosworth receives his MBE days after hanging Olympic boots 

The LBU conferred Tom Bosworth, the British Olympic paladin in race walking with the prestigious MBE honor. He was paired with the Rugby League comrades in national color, Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow. “Congratulations to everyone in the Leeds Beckett University community who has been recognised for their achievements in the New Year Honours today” said Peter Slee, Vice Chancellor of LBU as quoted by Leeds Beckett University release. Tom Bosworth revealed the news as well on X with a cryptic note, “Might see a name you recognise on this year’s New Years Honours list”. However, the LBU couldn’t make it too late to recognize Tom’s prowess. 

“… incredibly proud of Tom’s rise from studying and training at the university as an undergraduate to representing his country and breaking records at Olympic Games and World Championships”, was LBU’s observation. Tom represented his country in two Olympic games. In Rio, he grabbed the sixth position at the 20km event. Whereas in the Tokyo game, he was in the 25th position. “I cannot believe what I have managed to achieve, two Olympics, the British records, it is all so surreal,” Tom said to the media at that moment. But his top form was in other championships. 

The emphatic run in the leagues

Before the Tokyo Olympic games, Tom Bosworth recorded copacetic timings at the 5km and 10km events at the British Championships. Both records still stand today. His 1 Mile race walk attempted in 2017 still generates veneration for the communities. But for the 33-year-old athlete, the reality touched a different height in 2015.

Read more: MAN OF THE AGES: Spanish Race Walker Creates History at the Tokyo Olympics 2020

In the pre-Rio Olympic contention, Tom appeared as gay and attested to be the only gay member of the British cavalry for the Olympic occasion. His stand inspired many, as later swimmer Dan Jervis also made the same revelation. Meanwhile, in 2022, after his Commonwealth Games stint, he hung up his athletic boots and wore the trainer role. However, in the 2022 WAC in Budapest, Tom Bosworth appeared in the organizer’s coat. Now after this MBE crest, the Kent athlete might feel a jubilant, full circle.

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