Dixon to tri his best to book Youth Games spot
TRIATHLON
MULTI-TALENTED sportsman Daniel Dixon has the Youth Olympics in his sights - but his dream is to give the full Games a tri in future, writes TONY HODGSON.
The 16-year-old from Morpeth travels to Blenheim this month hoping to qualify for the Youths, which will be staged in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October.
The Kings Edward VI High School student hopes to be one of the four selected in Oxfordshire for a European qualifying event in Bangolyes, Spain, in July.
Whoever finishes as the top Briton there will be on the plane to the Games - and Dixon is confident it will be him.
He said: “I am in the middle year of those who could be picked and I know the older lads will be out to make sure I don’t beat them.
“It will not be easy to qualify but I am confident I can do so.
“I have never been to the Youth Olympics before so it would be fantastic to get there.
“The year has gone great for me so far and I will be working hard in the next few weeks to ensure I am in good shape for Blenheim.”
Dixon maintained his fine form of 2018 by setting a new five-kilometre personal-best time of 15 mins 37 seconds in the recent Newcastle Park Run.
It was the latest in a series of impressive displays this year by the teenager - trained by former multiallowed to race up as a junior (only young too was special. It all came ple national triathlon champion and two athletes have achieved this in together on the day and just made national team member Mike Harris. the last four years). me realise all the work I put in can
He finished the cross-country seaThe Ryton Triathlon Club and pay off.” son with good runs at the National North East Triathlon Academy starAs for the long-term future, Dixon (28th) and Inter-Counties (25th), let has also trained with the Scottish is in no doubt what he is a aiming where he was fourth for.counterintheTriathlonAcademyatStirlingUniNorth East winning team. versity. He added: “Trying to turn profes
At the end of March Dixon won Last year Dixon claimed the Britsional would be a major aim but to the British Elite Youth Duathlon ish Elite Youth Triathlon Championget the Olympic Games would be Championships at Bedford - the first ship - a year young in his category amazing. race in the Super Series which he (15-16 years) - winning with 16 sec“That has always been my dream clinched last year. onds to spare to triumph and also - but for now I am concentrating on
He has been selected for the Engsecure the Super Series title. getting to the Youth Games - and if I land Triathlon B squad (one of six Dixon added: “It was my first elite get there then just doing as well as I male triathletes) and is being category win and to do so a year can.”