Garry grabs team gold at top European event (From Gazette Series)

Garry grabs team gold at top European event

DURSLEY AC star Garry Hughes has again demonstrated his huge potential by finishing in sixth place in the European Junior Duathlon Championships last week.

The event, which took place in Debrecon, Hungary, featured the cream of European duathlon's up-and-coming stars, and Hughes proved that he was up for the big occasion by finishing in sixth place and as the second Great Britain team member.

Indeed, in finishing just seven seconds behind Great Britain's highest finisher Richie Nicholas (who was placed fourth overall) Hughes staked his claim once again for a fine future in the sport and to continue as a valued team member. He also helped Great Britain to win the team gold medal to round off a memorable race.

The delighted youngster told the Gazette: "It was fast, one of the fastest races I've ever had. The running was very fast. I kind of expected to come second in the team and it was nice to come sixth overall.

"I get on well with him (Nicholas) and get on with all of my team-mates. I am pleased and the team prize was a bonus. I didn't think about the team winning until afterwards, but it was a bonus really.

"My cycling has improved this year, and my swimming has as well."

Hughes, 19, hails from Eastington but has been a member of Dursley and District Athletic Club for eight years.

A prodigious running talent, he has starred for the club in a number of distance races but has really shone in triathlon, for which the sky may very well be the limit in terms of his success.

Hughes, who is also a member of Gloucester Triathlon Club, is a natural at the running/biking/swimming event, but has also shown promise in the running/biking world of duathlon, and his progress in this sport has been underlined with his performance in Hungary.

A student at Gloucester's Hartpury College, Hughes has shone over the years in local and national triathlons and duathlons, and it is still a matter of great debate at the Dursley club as to which event is his strongest.

Hughes's coach, Dursley AC's Fred Yearsley, is delighted with the youngster's progress and said: "I was really pleased for him. He's worked hard at his cycling this year and he's starting to see the rewards. To achieve this standard is difficult and he deserves to get credit for that.

"We are hoping he can go on to qualify for the European Triathlon trials in a few weeks' time now."