AN athlete who attended school in Haverfordwest has been hailed as the next Colin Jackson, writes Gordon Thomas.

Dot Davies, hosting the Friday night’s Sport Wales television programme introduced Omoregie as the next Colin Jackson who is taking everything in his stride.

Former Wales and GB sprinter Christian Malcolm interviewed Omoregie and talked to him on how he got started in athletics and his meteoric rise in hurdles event.

“I went to Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest and regularly competed at school, county and district level.

“I enjoyed competing in various events so I then joined my first club the Pembrokeshire Harriers,” said Omoregie.

Now, 18, he lives in Cardiff and has really flourished in the 110 metres hurdles. He currently holds the British indoor and outdoor junior records in times of 7.50 seconds and 13.17 seconds respectively.

When asked what is it like to be compared with the famous former Wales and GB hurdler Colin Jackson he said: “It’s really nice, but I have a long way to get anywhere near what he achieved.”

Amazingly this summer he claimed bronze in the 110 metres hurdles final in day three of the IAFF World Junior Championships held in Eugene, Oregon.

He said: “This is big. I’ve come a long way since last year. The target for this year has always been to medal here, I could have run a bit better but that’s the way it goes and I can’t do anything about that now.

“It wasn’t a good race technically but to come away with a medal I’m still happy with that and I don’t think I can take any negative away from this because I’ve medalled. I’ve just got to take away as many positives as I can to help me in my senior career.”

This grounded young athlete knows there is a long way to go, but Omoregie is training hard on the track and in the gymnasium to try and reach his full potential.