Three sprint finals in two hours? Doesn't matter if you're Timi Esan of British School of Al Khubairat (BSAK).
The BSAK star caught David of Brighton College, who had a strong start and led for the first 10 metres, to win the boy’s 100-meter final on Saturday.
Timi, humble in victory, finished in 12.02, slightly slower than his heat time of 11.70. He was followed by David of Brighton College in second and Lionel of Dhuran British Grammar School, who took third on the podium.
"It was brilliant,'' Timi said. "I didn't go as fast as I did in the heat, but I'm so happy that it was enough to win my favourite event in front of a home support. It always means so much when my family are watching, too.”
David spoke of the friendly rivalry that he and Timi share, being two of the top track athletes in the UAE at U13 level. He said, “There were a lot of rumours before the race, people were excited to see who would come out on top. It’s not the first time Timi and I have raced and I’m sure it will not be the last. I enjoyed the experience and congratulations to Timi on winning gold”.
Lionel, third on the podium, was quick to applaud the two athletes ahead of him: “I tried my best but it just wasn’t quite enough. I am so proud to have made the final and won a bronze medal.”
Ten minutes later Esan dusted himself down to take gold in the 200 meters, and, upon being handed the baton for the final straight of the 4×100 meters in fifth place, took off down the track and finished in second.
No matter how daunting the task he sets himself, he is a singular force, a phenomenon beyond compare at his age group.