The British teenage sprint sensation has golden aims at the European U18 Championships and his ultimate target is the LA 2028 Olympics
The European U18 Championships (July 18-21) is a golden opportunity for the next generation to showcase their talents on a global international stage.
From the nervous anticipation beforehand to the adrenaline rush of competing against the best in your age group across the continent, the event provides junior athletes with a lifetime of memories.
It’s not just about the medals but also the invaluable championships experience gained, which can be a springboard for success in the long-term.
Since the inaugural European U18 Championships eight years ago, the likes of Keely Hodgkinson, Yaroslava Mahuchikh, Rhasidat Adeleke, Max Burgin and George Mills have all competed at it. Every single one of them will be at the Paris Olympics.
One athlete looking to follow in their footsteps is British sprinter Joel Masters, who has big ambitions of his own and is targeting a place at the LA 2028 Games.
The 16-year-old British sprinter is just at the beginning of his life in track and field but has already made significant waves.
Masters, who had trials at Coventry City and sacrificed a potential career as a winger in football to focus solely on sprinting, has had a fine season so far, clocking a stunning 6.73 over 60m back in February.
Mark Lewis-Francis has Olympic glory in his sights (Mark Shearman)
That run in Sheffield, which saw the teenager become UK U17 60m champion, broke Mark Lewis-Francis’ championships record from 1999.
It was also the quickest time in the 60m by a British U18 athlete since 2008 and put Masters joint-top of the 2024 standings for his age group in the distance.
Masters will now represent Great Britain over the 100m and medley relay at the upcoming European U18 Championships.
The teenager goes into Banská Bystrica as the joint-second quickest European U18 athlete in the 100m (10.40) this season, with only US-based compatriot Jake Odey-Jordan – who just runs in the 200m – having gone faster (10.38).
Unsurprisingly Masters is targeting two gold medals in both the individual and medley sprints relay and, under the guidance of coach Jon Humphries-Cuff, is confident of making yet more early splashes in the sport.
Ahead of the European U18s, AW caught up with the pair on everything from mindset and training to the current sprinting landscape and long-term ambitions.
Joel Masters (Pat Isaacs)
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