Sprinting star Jordan targeting major championships after reaching World University Games final

A budding sprinter from University College Birmingham has set his sights on qualifying for the World Athletics Championships after representing Great Britain in his first major international final.

Jordan Broome qualified for the final of the 200m in his debut appearance at the FISU World University Games held in Italy last month.

The 22-year-old, who completed a foundation degree in Sport and Fitness Studies at UCB this summer, had won his heat and semi-final at the competition in Naples before finishing sixth in the final with a time of 20.75 seconds.

"That's the second quickest time I've ever run," said Jordan, who recorded his personal best of 20.65 seconds at last year's British Athletics Championships in Birmingham.

"If I had executed the race how I previously have, the time could've been better. But to make it to the final on that world stage is an achievement in itself."

Jordan, who races for Sale Harriers Manchester, is one of UCB's Sporting Excellence scholars, a scheme which provides help with costs and training for students who have demonstrated excellence in sporting achievement.

The University provided funding for Jordan to attend warm weather training in Tenerife as part of his preparation for the World University Games.

"I was out there for ten days, working on the track and in the gym and doing lots of technical work, speed work and endurance training," said Jordan.

"The heat training is a bonus – it can make you perform better and run quicker times. Plus being in an environment like that where there are a lot of other high class sprinters pushes you along."

It's the latest success on the track for Jordan this year, having previously picked up a bronze medal in the 200m while representing UCB at the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Indoor Championships back in February.

He is now bidding to qualify for the 2019 IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha next month, with trials taking place at the British Athletics Championships from 24-25 August.

"It's going to be a big ask," he said, "but if I execute and keep grounded for the next couple of weeks, it's definitely achievable."

And with the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year – not to mention the Commonwealth Games right here in Birmingham in 2022 – there is plenty for Jordan to aim for going forward in his athletics career.

"It's a work in progress," he said. "It would be a nice thing to achieve but I've got to stay grounded and keep working hard."

UCB's Sporting Excellence Scholarship scheme offers a range of benefits for students, including up to £1,000 off the cost of tuition fees for each year of study and up to £500 in total towards travel costs, as well as a UCB-branded training kit and an individually tailored programme covering areas such as nutrition, physiotherapy and psychology.

Find out more about the scheme here, and discover our full range of courses at UCB's School of Sport and Creative Services here.

If you are interested in getting involved in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham or are considering a career in the sports sector, UCB offers a wide range of work placements and opportunities for you to gain valuable industry experience. To find out more, visit our hired@UCB employability, careers and placements service.

Photo Credit: FISU / Napoli 2019 Organising Committee