Golden day for Alessandro in Birmingham sunshine as Scots land three field medals

Saturday 2nd August 2025

Alessandro Schenini leapt to the British title at sun-kissed Alexander Stadium on a day of strong Scottish performances in Birmingham.

The long jumper reached 7.85m in his first round effort and it was never headed as the Giffnock North AC athlete claimed gold.

Nick Percy took silver in the Men’s discus and that should be enough to clinch his place in the World Champs.

Making it three medals on the opening day, there was a fine bronze in the Women’s Triple Jump as Silver Nwabuzor came up with a big PB performance at 12.90m windy.

In the Para events, Scottish guide runner Greg Kelly helped James Ledger to silver in the 100m ambulant race.

‘I won a bronze in Manchester last year, so I’ve been manifesting a gold for the last few weeks,’ said Alessandro, coached by Ally Strange, and who won by four cms from Archie Yeo’s 7.81m.

‘I am buzzing. It is an unreal feeling to have this gold medal around my neck. I have been thinking about it for a couple of years now, so to get it done is just class.

‘I opened up with 7.85m, which was good enough to win it. I am sort of glad because I kept getting cramp, so I didn’t have much else left in me. But despite that, in the last round it is probably the best atmosphere I have ever jumped in, so I really enjoyed it.’

Nick had to defer to Lawrence Okoye on the day and wasn’t satisfied with his distance for second place – 58.95m.

‘I am disappointed with the distance but today was about doing the job having already got the standard,’ said Nick.

‘I had to come in the top two, so that ticked the box. Job is done, so it is back to work, so we do better than that in Tokyo.

It is amazing to be back in Birmingham, and everything was set up well – it would have been nice to bring a performance which fit the occasion. We are all our harshest critics, but I’m proud to be here and competing.’

Photo: Getty Images for British Athletics

Silver Nwabuzor started the medals in Scottish terms with a superb bronze in the Women’s Triple Jump.

With the top two beyond 13m, Silver pushed close to that with a windy leap of 12.90m which was a big improvement on her PB.

‘I am so happy to be on the podium at the UK Champs,’ said the VP-Glasgow athlete who is coached by David Watson.

‘I have been trying all season for 13m or close to that distance so to get a PB today felt fantastic. I will keep pushing to jump further and hard work and good coaching by David will hopefully pay off at some point.’

Rachel Callan was the first Scot to appear in the Alexander Stadium – and it was a good start with the strong second place in the Women’s 400m Hurdles.

The Giffnock North AC athlete, with a run of 61.02, thus qualified for the final on Sunday.

Bradley Francis missed out on progression while, in the field, Greg Millar was 12th in the men’s javelin.

But our women sprinters were brilliant out of the blocks in the 100m heats.

Alisha Rees led the way with SB 11.73 to go through automatically and that set the tone – with Orkney athlete, Taylah Paterson, clocking 11.66 for a PB to progress, too,

Making it four from four in terms of reaching the semi-finals were Charlotte Bevan (11.94) and Lucy Fraser (11.85).

Come the semis and all unfortunately missed out with Taylah fastest at another PB of 11.65 for fourth in her race.

Caleb McLeod and Jamie Phillips took on the Men’s 800m but it was a tough ask with only the top two assured of going through. Caleb clocked 1:49.59 and Jamie was at 1:49.69.

But there was a double qualification in the Women’s 800m. Hannah Cameron was fifth in her race at 2:05.52 and that was enough to go through after the second heat had concluded with a win for Jemma Reekie.