Ennis Track’s Gabriel Kehinde sets his sights on being Ireland’s fastest man as he prepares to compete in the 60m sprint at the 123.ie National Senior Indoor Championships.
Kehinde enjoyed a stellar 2023 in what was undoubtedly the best year of his fledgling athletics career. He was part of the Irish quartet that set two national records in the European Under 23 Championships, became Munster Senior champion and secured bronze in both the Indoor and Outdoor National Championships.
Despite enjoying a decent start to this season, the 22 year old is keenly aware that despite the 60m discipline suiting his ability to get out of the blocks quickly, the race is unforgiving with any mistake likely ending his quest for gold.
“For 60 metres you cannot get anything wrong. One wrong step and it is over. I find 60 (metres) to be ideal because the strongest part of my game is my start. If you get a strong start and even an ok finish you can potentially win the race. With the likes of Colin Doyle and Bori (Akinola), there will be no pushovers, so it just comes down to who is best on the day.”
In a race which showed the growing depth of Irish sprinting, last year’s event saw the top six finishers all secure Personal Best times over the distance. Israel Olatunde broke the Irish record when securing gold 12 months ago while Kehinde clocked a time of 6.72 seconds.
The Ennis Track athlete has enjoyed a busy start to the year having raced in Latvia and Spain while securing a silver medal at the Ireland University Athletics Association Indoor Championships, otherwise known as the Intervarsity’s.
He admits his form is steadier than 12 months ago but believes Sunday will be the true barometer to test his progress.
“It is tough to say whether this year has been better than last year. I opened the year by running 6.79 seconds (in Round One of the National Indoor League) which was my fastest opener in about four years. I was competing way too much, so my times were going down. I took a week off and then ran the Intervarsity’s and I was happy with how I ran there.”
“Last year was staggered and I was not consistent. I only ran fast in the race before last year’s Nationals. I was running 6.9s and 6.8s so I was not among the favourites last year. Hopefully I can build on last year and do better this weekend after finishing second at the Intervarsity’s.”
The Ennis Track athlete is relishing the greater frequency of races especially after putting in the hard yards during pre-season.
Kehinde is coached by Hayley and Drew Harrison, who also count Olympian Thomas Barr as part of their stable. The 22 year old started working with Personal Trainer Kevin Shalloo from Kilrush in a gruelling off season as he sought to take the next step.
“I went to him (Kevin) a few weeks after the Senior outdoors. He has trained some athletes from Ennis Track so it was said to me that I should give him a call. He did a lot of testing, and he is a guy who has everything down to a tee.”
“Most of the work is done in the off season. It is just filled with all the stuff you don’t want to do. Heavy lifting and long runs feature prominently but that gives you the basis for the season ahead so it has to be done.”
After his exploits at the European Championships in Finland last season which was followed by becoming Ireland’s third fastest man in the Outdoor National Championships, the former Ennis Community College and Holy Family student, admits the increased attention he received was challenging at first.
“To be honest it was overwhelming at first when I am being asked to speak in front of people about racing or if I am being asked to take a photo with somebody’s son or daughter. You get used to it and realise that people are rooting for you.”
“People can expect a lot and there can be pressure but you soon realise that you are racing for yourself. I just have to go out there and do my job and I know that if I keep working hard, I can achieve what I hope to.”
After his third placed finish in last year’s Indoors, the final year Sports Coaching and Performance student at TUS Midwest hopes to take two steps forward this Sunday.
“To be honest my hope is to win it. I secured my first national senior medal last year so I have experience of being on the podium. Normally people would be saying Israel (Olatunde) is winning it and it is a race for second and third. Now first place is up for anyone. It is up to who can perform well on the day? I would be happy with a top three finish, but the goal is to win it.”