Rikki Fifton

Rikki Fifton

Fifton (front) in the starting blocks for the 150 meters street race. Usain Bolt (in yellow) set a world best of 14.35 seconds.[1]
Personal information
Nationality British
Born 17 June 1985
Lewisham, London
Height 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
Weight 70 kg (150 lb)
Sport
Sport Running
College team Loughborough University
Club Newham and Essex Beagles
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)

100m: 10.16

200m: 20.46

Rikki Fifton (born in London on 17 June 1985) is a British sprinter who mainly specialises in the 200 metres, but occasionally competes in 100 metres, 400 metres, and relay events.

Before becoming involved in athletics, Fifton was an avid kick boxer. He currently runs for the Newham and Essex Beagles and is studying for a PE and Sociology degree at Loughborough University.[2]

He made his first international junior appearance at the 2003 European Athletics Junior Championships, finishing fourth in the 200 m final. The following year he attended the 2004 World Junior Championships in Athletics and again reached the final, this time finishing in sixth place. His most accomplished performance to date on the senior athletics circuit is getting to the semi-finals of the European Championships in Athletics in 2006 and winning the 200 m at the national indoor championships in 2007.[3] He won the 200 m bronze medal at the 2007 European Athletics U23 Championships, finishing behind Visa Hongisto and Vojtech Sulc.[4]

In May 2009, Fifton took part in the 150 meters street race at the Great City Games in Manchester. He reached the final of the event and finished fourth with a time of 15.13 seconds, behind Ivory Williams, Marlon Devonish and Usain Bolt.[5]

He won the 200 m at the European Athletics permit meet in Geneva in June with a new personal best of 20.46 seconds. This made him top of the European rankings in the event and improved his chances for a place in the 2009 European Team Championships.[6] He was selected to run the 4×100 m relay and the 200 m at the competition. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the relay race and Great Britain finished tenth. Teammate Dwain Chambers won as the stand-in 200 m runner.[7]

Personal bests

Event Best Location Date
60 metres 6.61 s Birmingham, England 16 February 2008
100 metres 10.16 s Shanghai, China 28 September 2007
150 metres 15.13 s Manchester, England 17 May 2009
200 metres (outdoor) 20.46 s Geneva, Switzerland 6 June 2009
200 metres (indoor) 21.06 s Sheffield, England 10 February 2007

References

  1. Video of the race on YouTube
  2. Rikki Fifton biography. UK Athletics. Retrieved on 2009-05-12.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Fifton Rikki biography. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-05-12.
  4. 14 finals decided on thrilling afternoon of athletics on Day Three in Debrecen. European Athletics (2007-07-14). Retrieved on 2009-05-12.
  5. Carl Markham and Mark Butler (2009-05-17). Bolt runs 14.35 sec for 150m; covers 50m-150m in 8.70 sec!. IAAF. Retrieved on 2009-06-02.
  6. Dasaolu impresses in Geneva. Press Association (2009-06-07). Retrieved on 2009-06-09.
  7. Chambers stars as Britain finish third. Eurosport (2009-06-22). Retrieved on 2009-06-24.

External links