Allwood ready to make his mark at indoor trials in Sheffield

Posted: Tuesday 7th February 2012 | 12:10

TRIPLE jumper Julien Allwood believes rubbing shoulders all winter with London 2012 medal contender Chris Tomlinson can catapult him onto the podium at this weekend's Indoor UK Trials and Championships.

LENDING HIS SUPPORT: Julien Allwood helped launch London 2012 World Sport Day, presented by Lloyds TSB, last month

Allwood joined up with a training group - containing European bronze medallist Tomlinson, and World Championship fifth-place triple-jumper Yamile Aldama - last summer and believes he's already reaping the benefits.

The Indoor UK Trials and Championships in Sheffield offer the 19-year-old the perfect chance to prove such benefits of surrounding himself with senior global medal contenders.

And, despite kicking off his season by finishing sixth at last month's London Under-20-Senior Games, Allwood plans on ruffling the feathers of his more experienced British rivals in the Steel City.

"I am coached by Larry Achike [British triple jumper who finished fifth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney] now so I am jumping consistently in training," said Allwood.

"I was with him last summer trying to break myself into the group and now I'm established in it which is great for me. Having the likes of Chris Tomlinson and Yamile Aldama in there is great too.

"The squad is fantastic, a lot of those elder guys take me under their wing and talk to me and they are showing me a lot of things that I never knew before. "There is no doubt that a big personal best is coming, I'm very sure of that. It's just a matter of when.

"There is definitely a chance of a medal if I get it right at the UK Indoor Championships and then onto the outdoors I want to break into that UK top ten this year and really start to make a push at senior level.

"I am in my first year at Under-23 level but there is no reason why I can't challenge the seniors and upset a few."

Allwood took a break from his preparation for the Indoor UK Trials and Championships by helping launch London 2012 World Sport Day, presented by Lloyds TSB, late in January.

The 19-year-old - who receives £1,000 of funding a year from Lloyds TSB as part of their Local Heroes scheme - was treated to a behind-closed-doors tour of the Olympic Park.

And, having got up close and personal with the east London site, Allwood insisted he was more determined than ever to continue his rise through the ranks both in 2012 and 2013.

"The more people I can upset the better this year and hopefully that will put me in a good position to qualify for the European Under-23 Championships next year," he added.

"That is my big aim next year and it was really good to actually go into the Olympic site because I have never actually been inside the park."

Lloyds TSB National School Sport Week, the UK's biggest school sporting event, takes place from 25 - 29 June 2012. This year, the week will open with London 2012 World Sport Day, celebrating the world's arrival in the UK for the greatest festival of sport. Find out more and support your local school at lloydstsb.com/london2012