Sharman Looking to Shine at European Championships

Will Sharman may not yet be a household name but the sprint hurdler is quickly establishing himself as the man to watch at this years European Championships in Barcelona. Having been ranked 103rd in the world at the start of the 2009 season his impressive performances have raised expectations.

The 25-year-old who specialises in the 110m hurdles rose to prominence last year when he finished fourth in the Berlin World Championships in a result that few could have predicted. Sharman still cannot fully explain what happened to suddenly turn around his fortunes but is hopeful he can continue to improve.

“I was working hard throughout the season with my new coach and by the time Berlin came around it seemed like the perfect platform for bringing it all together,” describes the Loughborough based sprinter. “Not many people expected me to even make the final but my team knew that I could perform so for us it didn’t come as much of a surprise.”

Having tasted success, Sharman also quickly realised the demands that are put on a successful athlete. After a long season, which possibly should have ended with the World Championships, the financial draw of competing was too much to refuse.

“If I am brutally honest I just wanted to rest but it became much more lucrative to race in Europe. I shouldn’t really have continued as I started to pick up little niggles which I still haven’t fully got rid of but I am confident that they won’t bother me as it is just a case of managing the body well.”

In combination with these small injuries, Sharman has also been recovering from a broken wrist that interrupted his early season training. An operation in January may have halted his progress but many pundits still see him as being the man to beat in Spain.

Sharman is certainly approaching the competition full of confidence, which comes on the back of breaking thirteen seconds for the first time. Unfortunately his time of 12.90 was wind assisted and his personal best remains at 13.30. Yet, the man from Northamptonshire remains positive that he can run even quicker.

“I don’t think there is any doubt in my mind that I can rub sub thirteen seconds. It is just a case when rather than if it happens. I am getting some really good feedback in training and hopefully it will all come together at a major championships.

�“I have the Europeans and the Commonwealth Games later in the year so I will have ample opportunities to improve on the PB. I am definitely not the favourite for these huge competitions but, without a shadow of a doubt, I know that I can beat the best.”

Sharman is certainly a driven individual. As well as his competence on the track he has a masters in finance from Loughborough University and is also a classically trained pianist. In fact it would seem that whatever he turns his mind to he will succeed. �

This certainly bodes well for a sprinter who appears to be improving month after month. With Barcelona fast approaching and the Commonwealth Games in Delhi just a few months away it could be another successful year for Sharman.