Sabrina Sinha aims to build on Mini London Marathon success at European Youths
By Dev Trehan
Last Updated: 31/05/16 10:37am
Record-breaking teenage athlete Sabrina Sinha is determined to force her way into medal contention at the European Athletic Youth Championships later this summer.
The multi-talented Greenwich athlete, who turned 17 in April, has excelled over distances ranging from 800m to 3000m on the track, as well as cross-country races up to six kilometres.
The south-east Londoner broke her 1500m personal best twice in the space of seven days at the end of last month and hopes to build on that momentum at the European Youths in the Georgian capital of Tblisi in July.
"I've still got such a long way to go who knows what the future can hold," Sinha told Sky Sports.
"I'm not even allowed to run the distances I'd be able to at senior level but I'm enjoying it at the moment and I'm looking forward to a good junior season and then slowly making the transition to senior level.
"I'm aiming to go to the Europeans this season and make a final but what I really want is a medal. I went to the World Youths [in Colombia] last year and based on my performances there I think I have a good chance."
Sinha produced another sterling display at the Mini London Marathon at the end of April as she won her age category race for an unprecedented sixth time in a row.
"I've won it every year so as you can imagine I absolutely love it," she said.
"Running the last three miles of the actual London Marathon circuit just as the crowds are starting to get there is so inspiring. And being a Londoner from Greenwich I always get lots of people cheering me on even if they don't necessarily know who I am, which is nice.
"Meeting Prince Harry after winning is probably the best bit as he's given me my medal three times now. He even recognised me last time and said 'I know you, you've been here before the last two or three times'."
Sinha joined former Olympic champions Denise Lewis, Linford Christie and Allan Wells at a gala screening of the Jesse Owens biopic 'Race' - released in the UK this Friday to coincide with the 80th anniversary of Owens historic triple gold medal haul at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
The 17-year-old was invited to the screening - also attended by Owens' daughters Marlene and Beverly - by the film's charity partner SportsAid, who provide funding and support to the next generation of British athletes across more than sixty different sports.
"SportsAid have been phenomenal and the financial support has been a real help, allowing me to travel and purchase two sets of kit because I wear different spikes for track and cross-country," Sinha said.
"But it feels amazing to be invited to the premiere of 'Race'. I have been following it since I knew it was being made because Jesse Owens is my ultimate idol and has been since I was a little girl.
"I did a project on him when I was younger and always felt like I could relate to his story. Jesse overcame so much discrimination and showed us what sport can be about and how it can inspire others."
SportsAid is the official charity partner of the movie RACE (in Cinemas June 3) in the UK. 'Race' is based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens's quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in the face of adversity. Altitude Film Distribution and SportsAid are working together to raise funds and awareness to support the next generation of British sports heroes.
