Golden boy Liam is triple national champ
MULTI-TALENTED schoolboy athlete Liam Hall has become a triple national champion.
The 12-year-old from Stoney Stanton won gold and achieved personal best performances in the 100m sprint, 200m sprint and long jump in the U14 boys T20/F20 classification at the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) Typhoo National Junior Athletics Championships in Coventry this summer.
He also scooped silver in javelin at the event which has in the past been a proving ground for the likes of paralympian gold medallists Hannah Cockcroft and Hollie Arnold.
A member of Hinckley Running Club Juniors since March 2014, Liam trains weekly at Grove Road park in Burbage in the summer and at Green Towers club for young people in Hinckley during the winter
His talents are also nurtured at school, an Excel Base offering enhanced provision for children with autism at Wigston Academy in Leicester where he was recently presented with the academy’s Inclusive Athlete of the Year award.
Liam has autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, sensory processing disor- der and emotional dysregulation, which greatly affect his social, emotional and communication skills.
His dad Andrew Hall said: “He didn’t really socialise, didn’t have friends and we had no idea whether he was talented or not.
“From the start, Hinckley Running Club Juniors gave him a place where he was comfortable, could be himself and was appreciated. “He loves the club. “At school, he feels valued, understood and, most importantly to him, liked.
“He has been enabled to grow and flourish.”
It was through the school that Liam competed in the regional qualifying event for the national championships and the school which funded his participation in the national event.
Head of PE at Wigston Academy, Jack Dandolo said: “To be national champion in one discipline is incredible but to do it in three is truly astonishing.”
So far this year, Liam has taken part in 32 club competitions, set 22 club records and attempted 26 different disciplines.
He also supports and encourages younger athletes at Hinckley Running Club Juniors where coach Shawn Wilebore said: “Liam is an inspiration to us all that with a lot of hard work and the right attitude you can achieve whatever you want.”