We converse to the triple jumper who made historical past by leaping to gold on the latest British Indoor Championships aged simply 16.
At one level within the males’s triple soar on the British Indoor Athletics Championships, the rostrum had a mixed age of simply 50. The 16-year-old Tito Odunaike stood alongside 17-year-olds Harley Henry and Sean-Connor Atafo – a hanging snapshot of the brand new era coming by way of.
By the tip of the competitors, it was Odunaike who had made historical past after claiming gold with a better of 15.75m within the closing spherical and changing the 1979 200m winner Phil Brown because the youngest male ever to win a senior nationwide title.
The Milton Keynes jumper has risen by way of the ranks constantly, having already impressed at English Colleges and age-group degree, together with a breakthrough 16.01m efficiency on the England U20 indoor championships, which set a British Underneath-18 finest.
A pupil at Harrow College, Odunaike’s fast growth on this technical occasion marks him out as one among Britain’s most fun younger abilities. With European Underneath-18 and World Underneath-20 championships on the calendar, his 2026 season guarantees to be one to look at.
How did you first get into athletics?
I performed plenty of soccer after I was youthful, however I used to be at all times naturally fairly quick. At college sports activities days and in PE there was plenty of operating and I loved that. Round Yr Seven, my dad signed me up for an athletics membership in Milton Keynes, and that’s when issues turned extra critical. At first, I truly centered on distance occasions. I competed in cross nation, 800m and 1500m races, and did some sprinting on the aspect.
How did triple soar enter the image?
In Yr Seven, I picked up lengthy soar after making an attempt it at college sports activities days. In my first correct athletics season, I did surprisingly properly. I completed joint sixth within the nation at Underneath-13 degree.
Quickly after that, I developed Osgood-Schlatter illness in each knees, significantly my left, which was my take-off leg for lengthy soar. That damage meant I couldn’t proceed with the occasion. The next season, I began exploring different choices.
I didn’t attempt triple soar till Yr 9. I first competed in it at a college competitors, did moderately properly and determined to keep it up for the remainder of the season. That yr I reached the English Colleges Championships and completed seventh.
What was your general expertise on the British Indoor Championships like?
As a younger athlete, I haven’t competed at main European occasions or competitions just like the Loughborough Worldwide, so I’m not used to giant stadium crowds. Seeing a correct stadium ambiance was particular. I additionally noticed some big names in athletics – Keely [Hodgkinson] operating the 800m, Dina [Asher-Smith] warming up – and that was inspiring. The runway itself felt wonderful. It was extra responsive than what I’m used to, and the observe felt nice underfoot. The gang getting concerned and clapping added to the entire expertise.
Usually I wait till the fourth spherical to clap however, with that crowd, I introduced it ahead to the second.
Have been you stunned by the consequence, or did you imagine it was doable?
I knew I had a powerful probability getting into as a result of I had the main mark within the area for that season. However I used to be additionally conscious that a few of the different athletes had jumped a lot additional in earlier years. I knew that they had the potential to provide one thing massive. I felt assured, however I additionally knew I wanted to be at my finest.
What does a typical week of coaching seem like?
I’m at boarding college at Harrow. After I’m there, I prepare about 20 minutes away with coach Dave Johnson. There are a number of proficient jumpers within the group, which creates a powerful coaching setting.
I prepare with the group a couple of times every week and for the remainder of the week I observe a programme Dave writes for me. My college has its personal observe and health club, which makes the whole lot handy. I often prepare 4 to 5 instances every week, combining technical periods, observe work and energy coaching.
How do you discover balancing athletics with boarding college life?
I truly discover it simpler than after I’m at dwelling. At college, the whole lot is inside a five-minute stroll – the observe, the health club, even physio if I would like it. That comfort makes a giant distinction.
At dwelling, I’d need to drive to the health club or observe, which provides effort and time. Being surrounded by the services I would like actually helps me keep constant.
What are your massive objectives for this yr?
The 2 important competitions are the European Underneath-18 Championships in July and the World Underneath-20 Championships in Oregon, in August. On the European Underneath-18s, I need to win. I imagine I’ve a powerful probability of doing very properly there. If I qualify for the World Underneath-20 Championships, I’d love to return away with a medal.
