YOUNG stars of the future were in action at the British Short Track Speed Skating Championships at Nottingham Ice Centre, including Inkberrow’s Adam Hill junior who won a gold medal in the Junior E category (Pee Wee 2).
The Redditch-born 11-year-old, whose father Adam also competed in Nottingham, took up speed skating with his dad – known as Big Ad – a few years ago and both are Solihull Mohawks members, training at Silver Blades Solihull.
After finishing third and second in the previous two years, Adam Jnr – a year six pupil at St Nicholas CE Middle School in Pinvin – was hotly tipped to win his category this time and he did so in style as he won every race across every distance over the weekend.
Adam Jnr competed in the 222m, 333m and 500m events – each involving a heat, semi-final and final, so nine races in total over the weekend – and he won each and every one as he became Britain’s national champion in his age group and established himself as British number one in the Junior E age category.
Adam Snr, who finished tenth in the Masters category, said: “I am so proud of young Adam. His commitment and hard work has really paid off this season and he’s done everything his coach has asked of him.
“Adam trains at the Mohawks Ice Racing Club under the guidance of coach and former Olympian Tom Iveson and I can’t thank Tom enough for turning Adam into a champion.”
The two-day competition featured more than 80 skaters from eight clubs across the UK and categories ranged from Pee Wee through to Masters, with the youngest aged nine and oldest aged 66.
The Mohawks club contributes numerous skaters to the Great Britain senior squads, so young Adam is in good hands as he continues to learn.