 | Gateshead Grand Prix Sunday 11 June BBC Two, 1355 |
Sprint star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will go into Sunday's Norwich Union British Grand Prix full of confidence. The 17-year-old claimed a sensational double at last year's World Youth Championships winning the 100 and 200m.
The Briton is making a major step-up in class at Gateshead but says it is a great opportunity to prove himself.
"I've had success in the past, but now I want to progress to be the athlete everyone expects me to be and I expect myself to be," he told BBC Sport.
The Surrey youngster has benefited massively from a training stint in April with American sprint stars Justin Gatlin and Shawn Crawford.
"It was an experience that will help me in the long term," he said.
|  Pressure is something you have to be aware of but it is also something you can enjoy |
"Me and my coach have taken a lot of technical tips from it which we have implemented into my training. We can see the progression and improvements occurring." Aikines-Aryeetey credits Gatlin with giving him the confidence to step on to a track feeling like he can beat whoever he is facing.
"He said to me, 'what are you being shy for? When you first step onto the track you have to act like you own it and give off the impression you are confident and you know what you are doing.'
"That is something I have taken away from it and it was awesome."
On Sunday the talented Englishman will face a tough battle to make the final of the 100m against the likes of Asafa Powell but knows his first season duelling with the seniors will not be easy.
"Improvement and experience is what I am aiming for this season," said Aikines-Aryeetey.
"I'm hoping to go into the World Junior Games and get a medal out of it, but I'm a 17-year-old running against 19-year-olds.
"Pressure is something you have to be aware of but it is also something you can enjoy.
"You get pressure from your teacher, from your parents and from playing computer games so why not have pressure from running in a straight line?
"However, my first test will be passing my driving test which I've got next week. I just want to get on the road!"
Watch more of the interview with Aryeetey during Sunday Grandstand's coverage of the British Grand Prix from 1355 BST.
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