Superb sixth on Olympic debut for Tom Bosworth

Tom, BSc (Hons) Sports Performance 2013, smashed the British 20km record in a final headed by Chinese duo Zhen Wang and Cai Zelin after leading the field for the opening half of the race. His time of 80:13 took 28 seconds off his own national record and represented the best British Race Walking performance since the 1972 games when Paul Nihill also finished sixth in the same event.

Tom trains on campus under the guidance of Dr Andi Drake, who is director National Centre for Race Walking programme at Leeds Beckett University. Andi said Tom’s finish was above pre-race expectations and was the culmination of a perfectly executed plan.

Just realised that I actually finished 6th at the Olympics. I wasn't dreaming. Got goosebumps this morning! pic.twitter.com/Z0LgitlwZT

— Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) August 15, 2016

He said: “I’m super proud of Tom.  The performance (time) was as planned; the target result was low teens – that said we also discussed that it was wide open. We did expect the Chinese to get two up there plus perhaps (Miguel Angel) Lopez and (Dane) Bird-Smith. Thereafter Tom was part of a big group coming in with just one stand out race from 2016. He performed the best from that group with only six athletes setting a PB. All his technical, tactical, physical and mental preparation numbers were best ever and he executed his process goals perfectly.

“He walked at his pace and despite being passed in closing kilometres did a negative split. It was a huge new UK record and the best Olympic performance by GB athlete in race walks since 1972. The performance creates a great platform for next Olympic cycle.”

Speaking after the race, Tom himself couldn’t hide his delight:

"To break the British Record by such a margin and at the Olympics is a dream come true,” he said. “It was just an amazing experience. I'm so happy I cannot put it into words."