Akabusi backs Haydock-Wilson’s strength and mindset which could make him a hurdles great, writes Henry Durand
Kriss Akabusi believes 400m runner Alex Haydock-Wilson has the best chance of breaking his British record—if he decides to switch to the hurdles.
Akabusi, 66, has held the record for 33 years, but has tipped Haydock-Wilson as the most likely successor.
The 25-year-old is currently ranked as GB’s third best quarter miler, and recently won two bronze medals at the Paris Games in the men’s and mixed 4x400m relays.
But three-time Olympic medallist Akabusi said a switch to the hurdles could propel him to the upper echelons of the sport.
“He’s not blessed with sheer speed, but he’s got strength, he’s got aggression, I would like to see him change,” he said.
“It’s got to be someone like him, that sort of build, that sort of strength, that sort of determination, who finally accepts you’re a 400m hurdler.”
Kriss Akabusi beats Antonio Pettigrew to the line (Mark Shearman)
Akabusi made the switch to the hurdles in 1987, and ran his record time of 47.82 in the Barcelona Olympics five years later.
He said: “I was running 40.5, I wasn’t good enough on the flat 400 because of Roger Black and Derek Redmond. I changed to the hurdles and broke the British record.
“It’s hard, you’ve spent 10 years calling yourself a quarter miler, it’s quite romantic. But he’s never going to beat Charlie Dobson or Matthew Hudson Smith – you’ve got to accept that.”
Despite success in the relays and an individual bronze medal in the 2022 European Championships, Akabusi warned the Brit that the switch will not be easy.
He said: “The hurdles as an event are brutal, painful, the hurdles tackle you when you’re knackered, they make you look foolish in front of everyone when you fall on the ground, you’ve got to take all of that and say still I rise.”
Kriss Akabusi and Frank Dick (Mark Shearman)
Since retiring, Akabusi has taken part in an array of charitable work, most recently launching a course for children in care aiming to raise their aspirations, ambition and employability.
The Mackenzie project, named after the army sergeant who inspired him to get into athletics, has been running for 4 years in partnership with Norfolk County Council.
He said: “I was in child care, I joined the army when I was 16 because I had nowhere else to go, and the streets were calling me, and I just knew I wasn’t going to be able to…
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