High jumper David steps into retirement and so does Connor

Wednesday 11th September 2024

David in action at Gold Coast 2018 – he also jumped for Scotland at Glasgow 2014 and Birmingham 2022 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Team Scotland and GB and NI high jumper David Smith is hanging up his spikes after a career which saw him compete for GB and NI and at three Commonwealth Games.

And hurdler Connor Henderson has taken a similar decision after a his time on the track in Scotland.

One look at David’s Power of 10 profile reveals his long career in our sport with the first mention almost 20 years ago as an U13 athlete for Giffnock North in 2005. In fact, he started with the club aged nine!

Those early years were a triumph for patience and persistence and he didn’t win his first national medal in high jump until he was 16 with a bronze at the Scottish U17 championships in 2007.

It would not be until 2009 as an U20 that David first became a Scottish champion. He went on to win the Senior title six times (indoors and out).

David continued to progress becoming British U23 champion in 2011, and represented GB and NI at the European U23 Championships that year.

It would be a further seven years before David managed to recreate that feat as a Senior at the European Championships in Berlin in 2018 – showing the hard work and perseverance required to fulfil potential in this sport.

Unfortunately, following the success of 2011 several frustrating years of injury followed and it wasn’t until 2014 that David returned to form equalling his PB at the Diamond League in Glasgow and improving his PB to 2.25 in Loughborough.

In 2016 David improved his PB to 2.26 but this was again followed by a period of injury. In 2018 there was a return to form when he equalled his PB and took silver at the British Champs. He also won silver in 2020 and bronze in 2021. In 2022 (despite a hamstring injury) he became British Indoor Champ.

As a local hero, David proudly represented Scotland competing at Hampden after being selected for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

David in action at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 2018 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

David was tenth in the final in Gold Coast four years later and he improved that to ninth in the summer of 2022 when he competed at his third Games at the Commonwealths in Birmingham. A few weeks later he competed at the European Champs in Munich.

That summary may cover the achievements but equally behind that there was real determination to overcome some pretty serious injury issues in both ankles.

Refusing to admit defeat to those injuries was a feature in recent years but David will now focus on other areas and has a role with Team Scotland’s Athletes Commission – with his knowledge and experience of three Games sure to help others.

‘Having decided to retire from athletics, my initial thoughts and feelings are one of frustration, as I don’t believe I achieved all that I could have in the sport, said David.

‘However, this is an athlete’s mindset of always looking to improve and strive towards the next goal.

‘Having had time to reflect, I am extremely proud of my achievements in the sport, especially competing for GB at senior level and Scotland at three Commonwealth Games.

‘I am aware that none of this would have been possible without the help of so many people, of which there are too many to name.

‘I was lucky enough to work with some great coaches and mentors throughout my career.

David in action at Grangemouth in the 2023 Senior Champs (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘The influence of Ken Allan my first and last coach, can’t be understated. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to pursue a career as a high jumper.

‘I will always appreciate his time, dedication and the belief Ken had in me.

‘Paul Harrison allowed me to fall in love with the sport again after a difficult time with injuries. His patience kept me in the sport and allowed me to equal my PB and qualify for my first GB senior vest at the European Champs in 2018.

‘Ken, Paul, Aston Moore and Fuzz Caan challenged me to be a better athlete and more importantly, helped shape me as a person.

‘I am very thankful for the continued support throughout my career from Scottish Athletics and the Scottish Institute of Sport.

‘Their constant assistance and patience helped prolong my career and enabled me to compete at times I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise.

David at Birmingham 2022 (photo by Bobby Gavin)

‘Finally, I would like to thank my club, Giffnock North who instilled a love for the sport, which I have kept throughout my career.

‘Billy and Clare then presented me with the opportunity to work part time as the club administrator, which allowed me to continue training full time and helped me to qualify for the European Champs and my third Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022.

‘I am looking forward to the next chapter. although I do not know yet what this will be. The knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career will play a huge role in whatever I pursue.

‘I am proud to represent my fellow athletes as an athlete representative for Team Scotland and once I have had a break, I am sure I will be back coaching some time in the future.’

Last race . . . Connor Henderson in 400m hurdles action (with Ben Heron) at the Eric Liddell Senior Champs at Grangemouth a couple of weeks ago (photo by Bobby Gavin)

Connor Henderson won Scottish championship medals in the 400m hurdles and was a big figure on the scene for fully 16 years.

At one stage the Kilbarchan AAC/Glasgow Jaguars athlete competed at the World University Games for the Philippines.

In an Instagram post recently Connor said: ‘A decision like this is never easy but it is inevitable.

‘I am content. Sixteen years at a high level is madness competing all over the world bit it is time to relax a little and give time to those who have been patient with me on this pursuit.

‘What’s next? I don’t know but I will still run. From Scotland to the Philippines and everywhere in between the journey has been beautiful. Thanks for all the support.’

With thanks for their significant contributions to our sport, we wish both David and Connor all the very best for what comes next . . . 

Thanks to Allan Scott for assistance

+++

Tags: Connor Henderson, David Smith