By Aled James
Rio Boothe has confirmed his desire to return to the elite level of Para Sports, following the conclusion of the World Athletic Championships in New Delhi, where Great Britain collected eight medals.
It was an indoor season to savour for the former LJMU student, who produced the perfect start recording a personal best of 8.67 at the T-37 60m sprint at the British Championships in Birmingham.
The recent MSc graduate in Sports and Digital Marketing struggled to translate the early success into the outdoor term with the season commencing around important examinations. However, the former World Champion is hoping for a return to the summit of the sport.
Boothe said: “I was hoping that my university work would not interfere with training, but unfortunately it did. On one hand, it is a relief to finally graduate but moving into the next stage in my life and career also feels a little daunting, but I think it is something that I am ready for.”
A successful indoor campaign for Rio began in Sheffield during January for the Senior Para Championships in a career-best season opener of 8.69, before the athlete shed an impressive 0.1 seconds off his BUCS Indoor Championships time a month later, in the ‘Keely Classic’ competition, led by Olympic gold medallist, Keely Hodgkinson.
Speaking on recently missing the World Championships, Rio said: “It did not impact me too much, if I am being honest. My season took a slightly different path, so my priorities changed. I think everyone on the team was deserved though and I am happy for the team.”
There were more GB medals across all events, with LJMU Sports Scholar, Amy Thompson also placing seventh in her first World Championships, reflecting a strong reminder of what talent can be produced in the northwest. Furthermore, one of Rio’s training associates Tom Young, also secured a bronze in the T-38 100m, just thirteen months after winning gold in Paris at the Paralympic games.
Touching on the impact the university has had on its athletes, Rio said: “I think it is about time that the university starts getting recognition for its efforts to support students. It does produce a bit of motivation for me, because I know that the foundations are there for me to return to British level. I know there is still a long way to go, but to see what these guys are doing, makes me want to be alongside them at the next one.”
“I think all I am focused on now is getting back to the basics. Finding a sustainable plan that allows my work-life balance to manage the training load. Training with no intent or simply training for the sake of it, is not sustainable for me and does not line up with where I want to be.”
Aside from his personal ambitions, Rio is also hopeful that Athletics in Merseyside can be greater encouraged to support the influx of participants looking to excel in the sport all the way through to elite-level.
Questioned on the foundations in the region, Boothe said: “Look at Katarina Johnson-Thompson proving that the system works and that there is a route into the international stage. However, there is still a lot of work to be done to make the path clearer cut, in Merseyside and afar. When I was living in Manchester, we had the same issue. There’s nowhere near enough money and awareness put into British Athletics and Para-Athletics as there is in America. Britain needs to be competing with America and the other big nations more often and prioritising the development of the sport more, to get back on track.”
When a point to prove for Boothe was considered, he said: “Yes. I do not think that there is much more to say, but I will let my racing do the talking and my point will be proved then.”
Featured pic by Aled James.
