By Gabriel Princewill-
A teenage girl of 13 years of age broke records in two segments of both the 60 metres race and the 200metres race for the under 16’s South of England Championships, held on 10–11 January at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Edmonton, London, making her athletic club very proud.
Running for the highly acclaimed Befit Today Academy, 13 year old Honor Otteng, achieved exploits by achieving a record time, never achieved before by an athlete under 15 years of age in these championships. Both races-signalled a remarkable degree of natural talented, nurtured by hard work.
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The championships which was held on 10–11 January at Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Edmonton, London. Five girls in the under 15 category represented the academy in the competition, altogether delivering one of the most dominant performances seen in an athletic tournament for young teenagers of that age. They are all expected to develop further as they mature in the sport.
Incredibly, four of the five BFTTA athletes qualified for the under 15 Girls 60m final, meaning half of the final field consisted of Be Fit Today Track Academy training partners. The girls were given a rapturous applause for their superior display of athletic prowess
In a remarkable result, the four athletes finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, securing all medal positions and fourth place. The other four athletes completing the eight in the finals were all from separate clubs. In the 200m event, Be Fit Today Track Academy athletes claimed gold, silver, and fourth place, highlighting the depth and strength of the squad.
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The competition was fierce, with all eight girls racing hard for the top prize.
Honor’s proud father, Fred Otteng, told The Eye Of Media.Com: ‘ My daughter did very well among top competition. She is in with some very fast competitors. Disciplined athletes. There were many days she was going straight from school to the gym. On some other days, it will be the athletic track, to train hard after a full day in school. I’m proud of her, but we are staying level headed about her success.
‘So she is very grounded, and focused. The nationals in February will be tough. There will be stiff competition there. Every competition presents different challenges, so she its one step at a time.
‘She is in good hands at Befit Today. Her trainer , Tj, treats all the athletes fairly, and is committed to their progress. I was first attracted to the club when I saw all the athletes in their uniform, looking very disciplined. The club fully support the athletes”.
Honor sprints with ahead of her competitors to attain record breaking personal best
Training Environment and Athlete Development
Head Coach of BFTTA, TJ Ossai, said:
“I’m very proud of Honor and all the BFTTA athletes who took part in the championships.
‘Our training environment is structured to support athletes as they grow and develop at their own pace.
‘It provides the right balance of guidance, facilities, and encouragement to help them achieve their potential.
‘Honor is still very young, so the plan is to continue her development gradually while ensuring she enjoys her sport. She currently trains just twice a week, and we will progress her at the right pace. Her strong family support is a huge advantage, and her long-term goals include competing at major international championships, including the Olympic Games one day.”
National Rankings and Future Competitions
Honor’s performances reflect her rapid progression at the national level. After finishing 2nd in the UK rankings for her age group last season, she is now ranked No.1 in the UK in both the 60m and 200m. The championships provided excellent preparation for her next major competition, the National Championships, taking place on 7–8 February in Sheffield.
That tournament promises stiff opposition for all competitors, and is bound to set the atmosphere on fire once it begins.
Be Fit Today Track Academy’s outstanding results at the South of England Championships highlight the academy’s commitment to athlete development, teamwork, and long-term progression. With strong performances, record-breaking runs, and a supportive training environment, the future looks extremely bright for these young athletes.
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