GSF Athlete Highlights - World Athletics

The 2023 World Athletics Championships

The 2023 World Athletics Championships, the nineteenth edition of the World Athletics Championships, were held from 19 to 27 August 2023 at the National Athletics Centre, in Budapest, Hungary. 21 past and present GSF athletes were representing Team GB and after a very tough competition they came home with a Silver medal and 3 Bronze medals between them.

In the field events, GSF athlete Scott Lincoln (York) kicked things off in Budapest in the Men’s shot put event, where he threw 20.22 to secure 9th place in group A, but was just short of qualifying for the final. In the Women’s Hammer throw event, GSF athlete Charlotte Payne (Reading) finished 10th in group A with a throw of 69.57.

Out on the track, in the men’s 100m race we had GSF athlete Eugene Amo-Dadzie (Waltham Forest) and GSF alumni Reece Prescod battling it out in the heats and making it to the semi-finals. Eugene narrowly missed out on a final spot after finishing in 4th, with Reece coming 8th. In the Women’s 100m race, GSF ambassadors Daryll Neita (Greenwich) and Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Croydon) were also facing GSF alumni Dina Asha-Smith in a very close competition. Both Dina and Daryll made it through the heats, with Dina finishing in 3rd to secure a spot in the final, Daryll narrowly missed out after finishing 4th.

GSF ambassadors Bianca Williams (Lee Valley Regional Authority) and Daryll Neita (Greenwich), would face up against GSF alumni Dina Asha-Smith in the women’s 200m race. All three safely made it through to the semi-final where Daryll finished 2nd and Dina in 3rd, Bianca just missed out on a spot in the final after finishing 4th. The final was fiercely contested, Daryll secured 5th place with a PB time of 22.16, Dina finished 8th.
GSF athlete Daniel Rowden (Lee Valley Regional Authority) represented Team GB in the men’s 80m race, he qualified 3rd in his heat for a place in the semi-final, where he finished 7th. GSF alumni Aimee Pratt took part in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, finishing 7th in her heat, and alumni Melissa Courtney represented team GB in a strong Women’s 1500m event. After qualifying 5th in both the heats and the semi-final, Melissa finished the final in 12th.

GSF ambassador Victoria Ohuruogu (Lee Valley Regional Authority) and GSF alumni Ama Pipi took to the track to compete in the women’s 400m race. Both ran brilliant races, finished 2nd in their respective heats but after 4th place finishes they both just missed out on a spot in the final. In the women’s 400m Hurdles, GSF athlete Jessie Knight (Epsom & Ewell) won her heat and also just missed out on a spot in the final after finishing 4th in the semi-final. 

In the relay events, Team GB finished strong with GSF athlete Lewis Davey (Better Gym- East Village) and GSF alumni Laviai Nielsen securing the Silver medal for their parts in the mixed 4x400m relay. Making up the women’s 4x400m relay team we had GSF alumni athletes Ama Pipi, Amber Anning and Laviai Nielsen, who secured the Bronze medal. 

In the men’s 4x400m relay, Lewis Davey (Better Gym- East Village) played his part in taking home another Bronze medal for Team GB. Eugene Amo-Dadzie (Waltham Forest), Ambassador Jona Efoloko (Lee Valley Regional Authority) and GSF alumni Jeremiah Azu all played their part in the men’s 4x100m relay. They finished 3rd in their heats, but just missed out on a medal after finishing 4th in the final.

GSF Ambassadors Daryll Neita (Greenwich), Bianca Williams (Lee Valley Regional Authority) and Imani-Lara Lansiquot (Croydon), and GSF alumni Asha Phillip made up the women’s 4x100m relay team who secured the Bronze medal.

It has been a pleasure to follow the hard work of GSF athletes at this competition, a huge congratulations to all who took part!