8th August 2025

Akande and Wilson earn silver medals at European Under-20 Championships

Mabel Akande and Teddy Wilson both earned 100m silver medals to headline the second day of action at the European Athletics Under-20 Championships in Tampere.

Akande (Denise Timmins, Lincoln Wellington) clocked 11.41s to earn her first individual international medal, before Wilson (Marvin Rowe, Shaftesbury Barnet) followed swiftly after.

The team captain finished in the exact same time, 10.47s, as Dutchman Jozuah Revierre, meaning two silver medals were awarded.

“I’m still coming to terms with what has happened,” said Akande. “It is slowly rendering. I am just so happy.

“I think it went to plan, it is definitely an improvement from last year. I wasn’t sure where to go or what to do but I looked up at the team and just thought ‘yes, we’ve done it!’”

Dylan Williams (TJ Ossai, BFT Track Academy) finished sixth in the men’s 100m final in 10.62s.

The evening session also saw Daniel Emegbor (Rohan Samuel, Harrow) finish fifth on his international debut in the men’s long jump with a best attempt of 7.44m.

Elsewhere in the field, Jabez Berry (Steve Pearson, Halesowen) narrowly missed out on a medal in the men’s hammer with 73.99m earning fourth place.

Otis Poole (Joy Bray, Yate) sealed his place in the men’s high jump final with a best height of 2.12m.

Arabella Wilson (Andrew Fisher, Thames Valley) booked her place in the final of the women’s 400m hurdles by finishing second in her semi-final in 57.69s.

However, Stephanie Okoro (Laura Turner-Alleyne, Havering) missed out on the final after finishing in 58.83s in her semi-final, while Oliver Parker (James Wright, Rugby & Northampton) and Rayhan Mourtada (John Blackie, Blackheath & Bromley) both did not progress to the men’s final.

The men’s 5000m final saw Michael Clark (Jane Clark, City of Norwich) and Reiss Marshall (Steven Doig, Fife) finish 10th and 13th respectively.

Shaikira King (Wreake & Soar Valley) controlled her heat from start to finish to earn automatic qualification to the women’s 800m final.

Alice Bennett (Luke Gunn, Kettering) and Bethany Trow (Shrewsbury) missed out on the final.

Charlotte Henrich (Nigel Stickings, Invicta East Kent) qualified fastest for the women’s 400m final, with a dominant run of 52.39s.

“It felt amazing,” said Henrich. “I loved getting out there. I get quite nervous in the warm-up but once I am out there I do actually have fun. It was nice to hear some team-mates cheering.

“This one felt easier than yesterday which was really nice.”

Stan Chevous (Lee Bowker, Ipswich) missed out on the men’s 400m final in a time of 47.17s.

The morning session saw Millie Gold lead the way with a new personal best of 10:21.75 to qualify automatically in the women’s 3000m steeplechase. She was joined by Olivia McGhee, who progressed with 10:31.05.

“I did not expect to PB and make the final, I am so happy,” she said. “A five second PB is insane in the heat.

“So much hard work and motivation has gone into getting me here. I just wanted to come here for the experience and enjoy it, so to make the final on my GB debut is absolutely incredible.”

There was further endurance success as Innes FitzGerald (Gavin Pavey, Exeter), Isla McGowan, and Zoe Gilbody all qualified for the women’s 3000m final on Sunday.

FitzGerald, less than 24 hours from taking 5000m gold, won her heat in comfortable fashion from the front in 9:19.41, while Gilbody also automatically qualified in fourth in 9:26.77.

McGowan made it three out of three in the second heat with a strong performance to finish third in 9:24.56.

Oliver Patton negotiated the men’s 1500m heats to qualify fifth-fastest in 3:45.80. However, Zachary Dunne missed out in 3:59.91.

Lucy Tallon (Nigel Stickings, Tonbridge) was the fastest qualifier in the women’s 200m thanks to her time of 23.65s.

All three Brits in the men’s 200m also qualified for the semi-finals, with Jake Odey-Jordan leading the way in 21.35s.

He is joined by Ethan Franklin, who clocked 21.55s, and Ebuka Nwokeji who finished in 21.76s to safely seal progression.

Isabella Turner booked her place in the final of the women’s pole vault thanks to a best height of 3.95m.