YEMI MARY JOHN WINS 2023 SPORTSAID ONE TO WATCH AWARD

World medallist Yemi Mary John (coach: Alan James, club: Woodford Green Essex Ladies) has been named as the winner of the 2023 SportsAid One-To-Watch award.

Yemi Mary John has enjoyed a breakthrough year in the sport as she won her first major medals at senior level.

Over the past two seasons, she has won 400m silver at the European U20 Championships before being crowned World U20 champion in 2022. In 2023, she added European U23 400m gold to her collection after a stunning run in Espoo, setting a PB of 51.04, and beating Olympic 800m silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson in the process.

Even more success would follow later in the summer season when she won her first senior World Athletics Championship medals. On the opening night of the programme, she anchored the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team to silver in the 4x400m mixed relay, before closing the championships with a bronze medal as part of the women’s 4x400m relay squad.

She was presented the award by 2008 Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu on Thursday (21).