11:20am Friday 10th July 2009
By Hayley Court
SWINDON schoolboy Braedon Cleverly has his sights set on sports stardom after getting through to the English Schools National Athletics Championships.
Cleverly went head to head with 18 other competitors in Exeter to beat two personal best records in the shot put and high jump.
He walked away fifth overall securing himself a place in the prestigious athletics competition on September 19 in Bedford, Bedfordshire.
“I’m over the moon,” said the 14-year-old from Bindon Close, Grange Park, West Swindon.
“I wasn’t really sure how far I would get so I just did my best.”
The young athlete had to complete the 85m hurdles, shot put, long jump, high jump and 800m sprint at the day-long competition.
Braedon trains almost every day after school but still hasn’t joined a club, leaving fellow competitors stunned when he qualified.
“I think they thought I was part of a proper athletics club because I was doing well,” he said.
“But I just train under my own steam really although sooner or later I’ll need to look into joining a club to continue my training.
“Training at the moment has been tough because it has been so hot so I have been leaving exercise until later in the evening when it’s cooler.”
The Adver reported how, on May 22, Braedon won two gold medals at the annual district pentathlon at Marlborough College - for the second year running.
Since then Braedon has been upping his training with and one day hopes to take his athletic ambitions to adult competition standard.
He has also set the wheels in motion to become a personal trainer, signing up for a BTEC in Sport and GCSE PE at Greendown School in Grange Park, West Swindon.
Dad Pete, 37, said he had high hopes for his son.
“Braedon has astounded us with his commitment and willpower with athletics,” he said.
“He just seems to get on with it and is very dedicated to training.
“One day we’ll be looking into getting him into a club but until then, it’s just great seeing him compete.”
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