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4 months ago
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From obscurity to the Olympics. Sheffield sensation Louie Hinchliffe completed his remarkable rise on Saturday night by winning the 100metres at the UK Championships to secure his place in Paris.
Two years ago at this Manchester meeting, the little-known student sprinter did not even get out of his 100m heat, while last year he did not compete here at all.
However, Hinchliffe's career has transformed since he moved to the University of Houston to be coached by nine-time Olympic gold medallist Carl Lewis last August.
And with the American icon cheering him on from the stands at the Manchester Regional Arena, the 21-year-old showed he is a star in his own right as he became the British champion for the first time.
On a slow, wet track and into a headwind, Hinchliffe surged to victory in the British Olympic trials in a time of 10.18sec, punching the air as he crossed the line 0.07sec clear of second-placed Jeremiah Azu.
Louie Hinchcliffe has secured his place at the Paris Olympics this summer after winning the 100m at the UK Championships
Hinchcliffe was cheered on by Atheltics legend Carl Lewis (left), who is now his coach
Hinchcliffe moved to the University of Houston in August to work with Lewis, and his career has since taken off
With both Hinchliffe and Azu having already hit the Olympic qualifying time of 10sec this season, they are now guaranteed their Team GB spots when selectors meet on Monday.
While Zharnel Hughes, the British record holder and world bronze medallist, is set to be given the third discretionary place after being handed a medical exemption to miss this meeting as he recovers from injury.
All eyes, though, will now be on how Hinchliffe fares in France, with Lewis already tipping him to reach the final and go on to become 'one of the greatest sprinters Britain's ever had'.
A former Yorkshire junior golfer, he was ranked a lowly 11th in the country last year with a best of 10.16sec. But he shot to prominence when he ran a wind-assisted 9.84sec in May, then became the first European to win the US collegiate title earlier this month in 9.95sec, before being crowned national champion last night.
Earlier, Keely Hodgkinson reached Sunday's 400m final after finishing second in her heat in 52:06sec.
The Wigan runner opted to drop down in distance from her specialist 800m event, which she is already guaranteed her Olympic spot in as the world silver medallist.
But Hodgkinson wants to win two medals in Paris by making it on to Britain's 4x400m relay team.
'The relay is an aim for me,' she admitted. 'If I can get in that top six, maybe I've got a chance. It'll be really fun to be a part of.'
Hodgkinson's chances of winning gold in the 800m in Paris were greatly enhanced this week when defending champion Athing Mu fell in the US trials and failed to qualify.
Jeremiah Azu (right), who finished 0.7seconds behind Hinchcliffe, will also go to the Olympics
Keely Hodgkinson, meanwhile, reached Sunday's 400m final after finishing second in her heat in 52:06seconds
But Hodgkinson added: 'I was actually gutted. It ruined my day the other day. Paris won't be the same without her.
'You see people hanging the gold around my neck just because she's not there but I don't think it makes it any easier without her. If anything, the pressure doubles for me and there's still some incredible girls to beat.'
Meanwhile, one of Britain's other Olympic gold medal hopes, Molly Caudery, sealed her spot in Paris by easily defending her national pole vault title with a best clearance of 4.83m.
The world indoor champion came close to breaking her own British record – which she set last weekend – but just missed out with her third attempt of 4.93m.
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