The record-breaking Welsh-Tiener who has wasted little time on making a big impression when it eats up to the 400m
In 2009, Jodie Williams had her name in the record books ETELD by putting a British Under-17 Indoor 400m Mark of 54.95. At the time, the athlete who would eventually follow her at the top of the list was not even born.
Fast forward to Birmingham in February this year, and 15-year-old Darcy Coslett rewritten history. At the British indoor championships, the young Welsh Sprinter is stunned by 54.50 in her heat. She became second behind her role model, Amber Anning, and went on to her first semifinal senior. The Welsh Indoor 400m Under-20 Champion continued to impress the next day, because she also made the 200m semi-finals with 24.61.
After he has just turned 16, the Llanelli -athlete still wraps her head for what she has explained – especially since she started racing in the 400m a year. Now, with a national record under her belt and a taste of senior level competition, she pushes even harder through Portugal in Portugal with her sights on the outdoor season.
How did you come to athletics for the first time?
I used to play a lot of football when I was yours and I played on the wing bacase, I was really fast. I also liked running in school sports, so it was suggestion that I should join the local athletics club, Llanelli, and I thought it was great.
There was a run, jumping and this program and I was not very good at this and jumping, but I loved running, so I kept going on from there.
What is the transition to racing of more than 400 m?
I used to do a lot of the 75m and 150 m races when I was younger, but I preferred the 150m because I liked the longer sprints. When I got older, I did the 200m and the 300m and I thought it was great, so I gave the 400m last year for the gross time and it was very painful, but very nice.
I am not old enough to race 400m at my age level, but I am still in the category under 17 years old, so I just do a few here and there, but it is my favorite event.
What was it like to race at the British indoor championships?
The atmosphere was subdivided that I had never experienced before. If you walk out of the crowd, it is vray loud, but it was so motivating and to be in the same heat as Amber Anning was incredible. In the first 200 meters she went hard and then I came around the last corner, she was clearly relaxed because it was just the heat, but that really helped me to pull Aroune and it was inspiring.
I was very nervous, especially when the television camera was Arund because it was my first time on camera, but it was the news.
When did you realize that you had broken the British indoor 400m record under 17?
In the run -up to that competition I certainly strived on the plate, hit I had run sum close shoes, but, crossed the border … Amber crossed first and I just saw 54.31 [Anning’s time] Flash up and I just knew it, I was shocked.
How did it feel to break the long -term record?
In the beginning I did not realize how long it had been, and when I saw it on Instagram, I was shocked. The record you stood since 2009 before I was even born. I was even more shock because it was Jodie Williams’ record and she is such an incredible athlete.
What do you look at otherwise?
When I first came to athletics, I liked watching Dina Asher-Smith. She was the first athlete to really inspire me and brought me into sport. I also love Laviai and Lina Nielsen. I love Followm on Online and I think their content is inspiring, especially because they do similar events like me.
Hannah Brier is closer to home and is a large role model for me. She reality offers me so much support and help.
What is it like to represent Wales as a young athlete?
I get a lot of support from Wales. I am in the national development program and many people from there really help you and motivate you. It is vice fun to get performance of their support.
I recently went to Monte Gordo in Portugal with Welsh Athletics for training camp. I went last year and it is such a great experience for young athletes. We go 10 days, it is very difficult, but it is so much fun and I meet Maney incredible athletes from all over the world.
What would Darcy say to younger Darcy when she first started running?
Work and enjoy everything you do and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
