A teenager from Middlesbrough in England, Celine Obinna-Alo has popped up as the latest Nigerian-born female athletics prospect for Great Britain.
Sports247 gathered that, though Obinna-Alo is only 15 years old, her coach is already tipping her not only to compete at the Olympics, but to also be a gold medalist.
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Celine is leaving competitors trailing in her wake to such an extent that her coach, Richard Kilty is already predicting she will be a future world and Olympic champion.
Her feats already include breaking the British 60m indoor under-17 record in a time of 7.34 seconds – quicker at the same age than the legendary duo of Dina Asher-Smith and Amy Hunt.
While rating his new prospect high, Kilty, a bronze medal winner as part of Great Britain’s 4x100m men’s relay team in last year’s Olympics, noted that Obinna-Alo’s best days are still ahead of her.
The athlete-turned-coach added that their plan for 2026 includes the European U18 Championship in Rieti, Italy and World Junior Championship in Oregon, USA, where Obinna-Alo will compete against older sprinters.
Kilty told BBC Radio Tees: “It’s not even my opinion, it’s a fact – Celine is the most naturally gifted female sprinter that there’s ever been in Britain.
“My goal for Celine would be competing in the LA Olympics in the 100m, qualifying for the women’s team at the age of 18.
“Ultimately, the goal for Celine is to become the fastest woman in the world and win world and Olympic titles. I think she’s that gifted; she can do that.
“With the ability I see in front of me, plus the support of her parents, coaches, management and sponsors, I don’t see any reason why she can’t do that.”
Sports247 gathered further that Obinna-Alo showed early signs of her potential while racing in the streets of Middlesbrough, and her father was urged by her primary school headteacher to enroll the lass in an athletics club.
That set the stage for a massive breakthrough into Britain’s athletics spotlight for Obinna-Alo, who now lives in Houghton-le-Spring and runs for Gateshead Harriers.
