A TALENTED Thurrock athlete has made his debut for Team GB.

Michael Onilogbo, 16, from Stanford-le-Hope, made his exciting Team GB debut in the 100m guest race and 4x100 relay team in the Under-20 Loughborough International competition, coming third and second respectively.

The Ortu Stanford and Corringham Sixth Form student has been running competitively since July 2018 and since then has recorded a personal best of 10.67 seconds in the 100m and finished last year’s season ranked first in the Under-17s 60m and 100m sprints.

Michael said: “I played for Stanford-le-Hope and Brentwood rugby clubs before I started athletics and discovered I was really good at running – I was often seen running past defenders and outpacing them. The PE team at school also noticed that I was very fast and picked me for district competitions, where I discovered my love of athletics.

“I was very excited when making my first Team GB debut in Loughborough. I was so happy when I got the phone call and felt that my effort was being recognised. I believe I was noticed by the Team GB managers in the 2021 season opener. I ran 10.58 wind-assisted in the 100m.”

Michael was supported by his mother at the event in Loughborough, where he credited family support as being a driver for his success.

He said: “My family have been incredibly supportive, coming to my competitions as much as they can and cheering me on.”

Since his debut, Michael was invited to run at the British Championships and Olympic Trials in Manchester, where he got to run against elite senior athletes. He is now continuing his training to make it to the Team GB juniors in Manchester International later this year, then the Under-20 World Championships in 2022.

He said: “My hopes and aspirations are to continue, better my personal best and represent Team GB juniors in more competitions.

“To reach my goals, I’m currently training three times a week and always keeping on top of my nutrition and any injuries.

“I am aiming to make the senior team one day and represent Great Britain at major competitions in the future.”